Ask Lumos is a series from Lumos PV, answering the questions we get asked most often about solar, batteries and home energy. Based in Worton, Oxfordshire, we work with homeowners, businesses and community organisations across Oxfordshire and the Cotswolds. In this short blog, we look at the kind of questions you should ask your solar installer before committing to any project.
Solar PV, battery storage and EV charging are long-term investments, and the quality of the design, installation and aftercare impacts how much you actually save.
Most homeowners get two or three quotes before choosing an installer. That is sensible, but quotes are hard to compare when each system is built differently. Below are the questions we would recommend asking, along with the answers that we give to our customers.
Are you MCS certified for both solar PV and battery storage?
Your installer should be MCS certified for every technology they are fitting, not just solar panels. MCS certification covers solar PV and battery storage separately, and it is what gives you, as the homeowner, access to export payments, through the Smart Export Guarantee.
It is also worth checking for RECC membership and TrustMark approval, which give you consumer protection if something goes wrong. Lumos PV is MCS certified, RECC registered (00072708), NAPIT registered, TrustMark approved and CHAS accredited. You can check any installer’s status on the MCS and RECC websites before you sign anything.
Find out more about Lumos PV’s accreditations.
Who will carry out the installation?
Ask whether the company you are talking to will do the work themselves, or pass it to a subcontractor. Some national companies sell the system and then hand the installation to whichever local team is available. This can make accountability harder, if there is a problem later.
At Lumos PV, the people you meet are the people who do the work. Matt handles the survey and design, Joe and Harvey carry out the installation, and Lizzie looks after your handover and paperwork. We are based at Worton Park, just outside Witney.
How will you design the system for my home and my budget?
A good installer designs around your property, your energy use and what you want to spend, rather than selling an off-the-shelf package. If you receive a quote without anyone asking about your electricity bills or your tariff, treat that as a warning sign.
Every Lumos PV system is designed for the specific site and the customer’s budget. Before we provide a quote, we look at:
- Your roof or ground space, orientation and any shading
- How much electricity you use, and when you use it
- Your current tariff, including overnight rates
- Whether you have, or plan to get, an electric vehicle or heat pump
- What you want to spend now, and what you might add later
Which equipment are you recommending, and why?
Your quote should name the make and model of every major component, along with the system size in kWp and the battery’s usable capacity in kWh. It it only says “solar panels and battery”, ask for the details.
It is just as important to ask why those products were chosen. Lumos PV is not tied to a single manufacturer. We recommend equipment based on what suits your home, your budget and your future plans, and we’ll explain the trade-offs between options.
Learn more about the products we install.
How much will the system generate, and how much of it will I use?
Ask for an estimate of annual generation, alongside how much of that electricity you are likely to use yourself. The second figure, known as self-consumption, has the biggest effect on your savings.
We base these estimates on your actual usage, not national averages, and we will tell you which assumptions we have used for export payments and tariffs. That way, you can see where the savings come from, and compare our figures fairly with other quotes.
Who handles the DNO application?
You installer should handle the application to your Distribution Network Operator (DNO) for you. Most solar and battery systems need DNO notification or approval before, or shortly after, they are connected.
We manage the DNO process from start to finish.
What’s included in the price?
A clear quote should show you everything you are paying for, so you can compare like for like. Check whether it includes:
- Scaffolding and access equipment
- Bird protection, if your roof needs it
- The DNO application
- VAT (solar panels and battery storage currently qualify for 0% VAT on residential installs)
- Commissioning, MCS certificate and handover
Also ask what you need to pay, and when. We are open about our pricing, and we will talk you through each line of your quote, so you know exactly what you are getting.
Our online calculator can help you generate an instant quote, based on your home and requirements.
What will I receive at handover?
You should receive your MCS certificate commissioning records, warranty documents and a clear explanation of how your system works. Without the MCS certificate, you will not be able to apply for export payments.
At the end of each Lumos PV install, we walk you through the system, set up any monitoring apps and make sure you know how to get the most from your battery and tariff. You’ll then receive all of your paperwork, so everything is in one place.
What happens after installation?
Ask whether the installer offers servicing, maintenance and support once the system is running. Solar systems need very little maintenance, but an annual check helps catch issues early and keeps your system perfoming as it should.
We offer service and maintenance visits for systems we have installed and for systems fitted by other companies. If you already have solar or a battery and are unsure who to call, we can help.
Getting started
If you are considering solar panels, battery storage or EV charging in Oxfordshire or the Cotswolds, we’d love to hear from you. Get in touch with the Lumos PV team to arrange a home visit.
