Frequently Asked Questions
We share the answers to some of the biggest solar PV questions
Most Popular Questions
Investing in a solar panel or battery storage system can be a big financial investment. Below, we answer some of the most common questions we receive at Lumos PV, to help you decide the right approach for your home or organisation.
Solar PV (or photovoltaic) refers to technology that converts sunlight into electricity using solar cells.
Solar PV systems are widely used for generating clean, renewable energy, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and cutting down on greenhouse gas emissions.
Each building is unique - the savings would depend on the electricity usage of the property - but savings can be up to 80% of electric costs.
The solar panels that we install come with a 30 year warranty. During the installation process, we can explain how to look after the panels and ensure they continue to perform well.
We recommend regular cleaning of the solar panels. This ensures that the warranty remains valid, and that your system continues to generate and store the maximum amount of solar power.
Implementing a solar PV system to your home, office or agricultural space provides a number of benefits. Solar power can reduce your ongoing electricity costs, while also being better for the environment. If you live in a rural area which suffers from power cuts or blackouts, solar power provides a more consistent source.
Unfortunately we are unable to advise on any funding that might be available, but would always recommend doing your own research in to this. Currently, the installation of solar panels are VAT free, and energy companies provide financial incentives for selling unwanted solar power back to the national grid.
We have installed solar panels on all sorts of roofs! The easiest way to know if your roof is suitable is to give us a call to discuss your options. Solar panels have come a long way in recent years, and there really is a soluton for every roof.
While solar panels are more effective when the sun is shining brightly, they are able to harvest energy from the sun whenever there is daylight. This means that even during the winter months, you can use solar energy to power your home or business.
Unfortunately we are unable to provide advice around planning permission. As each building and project is unique, we recommend speaking to your local authority to find out what type of planning permission, if any, you need for your project.
Yes, you can still have a solar PV system installed. You may need to have more panels installed to generate the same amount of energy, but it can still be worth installing a system. We can talk you through your options, and provide a no-obligation quote.
This will really depend on how much energy you use, and what your plans are.
We can visit your property or business to discuss your options in more detail.
We install bird protection as standard with all of our systems.
The reasons we do this is because birds, particularly pigeons, like to make nests under the panels. The underside of the solar panels is extremely fragile and as the birds drag nesting material under the panels, it can damage the underside of the panel.
There isn't a clear cut answer, as there is a system for every need, the smallest installation we have done is ten panels.
We would recommend getting in touch to talk through your options in more detail.
No, you will remain connected to the grid in the same way that you are now. In the first instance, you'll use any solar power that is being generated, followed by any power that is saved in a battery storage solution. If neither of those have power, you'll switch seamlessly to using the grid as your power source.