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 In most cases, no planning permission is needed for solar panels. The main exceptions are if your home is a listed building, in a conservation area, or has specific council restrictions. It’s always your responsibility to double-check with your local authority if you’re unsure, but for most London and UK homes, solar panels are classed as permitted development. 

Solar PV panels can turn daylight into electricity, even on cloudy UK days. That means you can generate your own free energy and rely less on your electricity supplier, helping to reduce your bills. Because solar panels have no moving parts, they’re quiet, low-maintenance and have very little ongoing running cost.

Solar energy is clean, renewable and produces zero emissions while it’s generating. Most quality solar systems are designed to last 25 years or more, so it’s a long-term investment in your home or business. And with the Smart Export Guarantee, you can even earn money by exporting any excess electricity you don’t use back to the grid.

Perfect for homeowners, landlords and commercial properties across London and the UK who want cheaper, greener energy.

We are registered with The National Association of Professional Inspectors and Testers NAPIT .Through this registration was can sign off electrical work in the domestic, commercial and industrial sectors. The MicroGeneration Certification Scheme MCS is a mark of quality and competence of both ourselves and the products that we install. The Renewable Energy Consumer Code RECC which is approved by the Chartered Trading Standards Institute and ensures installers follow fair marketing, quoting, contracting, and after‑sales practices.

Solar panels generate DC (Direct Current) electricity, which is different from the AC (Alternating Current) electricity we use in our homes and businesses. That’s why every solar PV system includes an inverter. The inverter’s job is to convert the DC power from your panels into usable AC electricity that’s perfectly matched to your home or commercial property’s supply.

DC electricity flows in one constant direction, like the power from a battery, while AC electricity continually changes direction several times per second. AC is used in UK homes because it’s safer, more efficient, and easier to distribute across the National Grid.

Because of this, it’s important your system is designed and installed correctly by qualified, experienced and MCS-approved solar installers. At Solar Sparky, our trained electricians ensure your solar PV system is safe, efficient, and fully compliant with UK standards.

Yes, in most cases scaffolding is required so our installers can safely access your roof and carry out the work to a high standard. It also provides a secure platform for tools, panels and materials during the installation.

Scaffolding is normally put up a couple of days before your solar installation and taken down shortly after the work is completed, usually within the same working week. At Solar Sparky, we arrange all scaffolding for you as part of the installation package, so there are no surprises and everything is handled smoothly from start to finish.

At Solar Sparky, all of our solar PV systems are designed in-house by our own specialist designers, rather than outsourced. We use professional solar design software, detailed roof assessments, site surveys and satellite imagery to create accurate, tailored designs for each property. Where required, we also work alongside qualified structural engineers to make sure your roof is suitable and the installation is completely safe and compliant.

Every system is carefully planned to maximise performance, reliability and return on investment, whether it’s for a home, landlord property or commercial building in London or across the UK. Once designed, our fully qualified and certified electricians oversee and sign off the system to ensure it meets the highest standards before installation.

 PV (Photovoltaics) are panels that produce electricity from solar energy. These are often mounted on the roof and facing towards the Sun. They capture the Sun’s energy and convert it into renewable electricity. This electricity can then be used in our homes and sold to the electricity grid. icity grid. grid. 

 The Sun’s energy is converted into DC electricity by PV Panels on the roof. An Inverter converts the DC Voltage in AC electricity that we use in our homes and businesses. A generation meter records its production. The generated electricity is then used by your home and its appliances during the daytime. Excess electricity not used during production is then sold back to your electricity provider or stored in a battery. 

 With Solar Sparky, you get a quality solar system fitted by a trusted local family business. We install Tier 1 MCS-approved panels, a reliable inverter, safety isolators, and an OFGEM-approved meter so you can see what you’re generating. Battery storage is available if you want to store extra energy. After install, we give you a full MCS handover pack and help you apply for the SEG tariff. Honest advice, tidy work, and proper customer care. 

In the Northern Hemisphere, solar panels perform best when facing south towards the equator, and this is especially true for homes in London and across the UK. Roof direction, pitch, and shading all play a big part in how much electricity a solar PV system can generate. Panels with consistent direct sunlight will naturally produce the most energy, but even if your roof isn’t perfect, solar panels in London can still work brilliantly.

Shading can reduce output as panels protect themselves using bypass diodes, and your exact location in Greater London or the South East can also influence production levels. But the good news is that domestic solar panels don’t need to face south to be effective. With the right design from an experienced MCS-approved solar installer in London, east and west-facing roofs can still provide excellent energy savings and real bill reductions.

 If your property isn’t listed and isn’t in a conservation area, then solar PV systems can normally be installed on your roof under permitted development, meaning you don’t usually need planning permission. A conservation area is a location that has special architectural or historic importance and is protected by law, so different rules apply.

Panels generally can’t be fitted on a roof slope that faces a public highway, or positioned between your home and the road. Solar panels also can’t be installed on, or within the grounds of, a listed building. If your home is listed or in a conservation area, you will normally need planning approval first, so it’s best to contact your local planning authority for guidance.

Ideal for most homes across London and the UK, but always worth checking if you’re unsure.

A PV solar inverter is one of the most important parts of your solar panel system. Your panels produce DC electricity, but our homes and businesses in the UK run on AC electricity. The inverter’s job is to convert the DC power from your solar panels into safe, usable AC electricity that can power your lights, appliances, heating and more.

A good quality inverter helps maximise performance, protects the system, and allows you to monitor how much energy your solar panels are generating. Modern inverters can also work alongside battery storage systems, helping you store excess energy to reduce your electricity bills even further.

At Solar Sparky, we only install reliable, MCS-approved inverters suitable for UK homes and commercial properties, professionally fitted by qualified electricians so your system runs safely and efficiently.

Ideal for homeowners, landlords and businesses in London looking for a trusted local solar installer.

We normally recommend fitting your solar inverter in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated space, such as a garage, utility room, plant cupboard or a suitable loft area. This helps it run efficiently, stay protected and last longer. Wherever possible, we also try to position it close to your solar panels and consumer unit to improve performance and reduce energy losses.

However, every home and business is different — and so are our customers. So while we’ll always give you our professional recommendation, we’ll also listen to your preferences and find a location that suits your property, practicality and day-to-day life.

As a family-run London solar installer, we balance expert design with your personal needs to make sure your system is safe, neat and convenient.

A solar diverter is a smart device that takes any excess electricity your solar panels generate in London and across the UK and uses it to heat the immersion element in your hot water cylinder. Instead of exporting spare power back to the National Grid, the diverter sends it into your hot water system, helping you reduce gas or electric usage and lower your energy bills.

Because your boiler doesn’t need to work as hard, it can also help extend its lifespan and reduce maintenance costs. Some solar diverters can even power a second cylinder, towel rail or electric underfloor heating, making them a great upgrade for homeowners in London looking to get more value from their solar PV system.

 kW stands for kilowatt. Simply put, the higher the kW, the bigger the solar system and the more power it can produce. Higher kW systems are ideal for reducing electric bills in homes, businesses and commercial buildings. 

Shading can affect how well a solar panel performs. Even a small shaded area can reduce the output of a panel or sometimes an entire string, so things like trees, chimneys, pipes and nearby buildings need to be considered when designing your system.

That doesn’t mean you can’t have solar. It simply means the system needs to be designed carefully, either by avoiding shading where possible or using technology such as power optimisers / SolarEdge systems to help minimise the impact. Where shading is unavoidable, we simply factor it into the performance calculations so you still know exactly what to expect from your system.

You don’t need to worry though — we assess all potential shading as part of your free, no-obligation solar design call, so you get honest, accurate advice before you decide anything. Perfect for homes and businesses across London and the UK.

The size of a solar PV system is crucial when deciding whether a roof is suitable. Once we’ve designed your proposed array, we’ll ask for key details and clear photos of both the inside and outside of your roof so we can properly assess it. It’s not just about weight — we also consider wind uplift and snow loading to make sure everything is safe, secure and built to last.

As part of our process, we carry out a full roof survey and submit it to our registered structural engineer, who has over 35 years of experience, to confirm the roof is suitable and compliant. In many cases, our design team can also use professional project tools alongside your information to complete the assessment accurately.

Having the correct roof information is essential for a long-lasting, reliable installation. If there are any concerns, a structural sign-off ensures complete peace of mind for homeowners and businesses across London and the UK.

Solar PV systems are designed to need very little maintenance. With no moving parts, there’s generally not much required to keep them running. From time to time, panels may benefit from cleaning if dirt, bird droppings or grime build up, as this can affect performance. While we don’t offer panel cleaning ourselves, there are plenty of local companies who can do this safely.

We always recommend keeping an eye on your system’s energy production so you can spot any drop in performance early. A quick visual check of the system, alarms and components from time to time is also helpful. If the property changes ownership, or if you ever need a periodic inspection or professional check, just get in touch we’re always happy to help and offer honest advice.

Minimal maintenance, long-term reliability, and ongoing support from a trusted local solar installer serving London and the surrounding areas.

Our Deposit and Workmanship Warranty Insurance is there to give you complete peace of mind. We know choosing solar is a big decision, so we make sure you’re fully protected from day one.

 Installation Completion Insurance
Your deposit is protected for 35 days, so if anything unexpected happened and we couldn’t complete your installation, your money is still safe. No stress, no risk.

 Workmanship Warranty Insurance
As a family-run company, we take real pride in our work — but we also go one step further. We include an insurance-backed workmanship warranty, so even if we weren’t around in the future, your installation would still be covered.

It’s simply about looking after our customers properly and making sure you always feel confident and protected when you choose us.

The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) is a government backed scheme that makes sure solar PV owners get paid for any renewable electricity they export back to the grid. Since 1st January 2020, households and businesses with solar panels have been able to:

Earn money for any surplus electricity they don’t use
Choose from a range of competitive export tariffs offered by different energy suppliers
Combine SEG payments with other support or grants where eligible
 

To qualify, both your solar PV system and your installer must be MCS certified which we are. That means your installation is fully compliant, properly installed and eligible for export payments.

As a family run company, we’ll guide you through the whole process and make it easy, so you get the most out of your solar system and start enjoying the benefits.

 The payback period is simply the time it takes for your solar PV system to pay for itself. In other words, it’s how long it takes for the savings on your electricity bills (and any SEG payments you receive) to match what you originally spent on the system. After that point, the energy your solar panels generate is essentially putting money back in your pocket. 

 Once you’re completely happy with your solar installation and your balance has been paid, we’ll arrange for the scaffolding to be taken down and we’ll prepare your full MCS handover pack. This includes all the certificates and paperwork you need to easily apply for your Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) tariff with your chosen energy supplier. We make the process simple and stress-free so you can start enjoying your savings as quickly as possible. 

 Our quotes are valid for 30 days. This is just because material prices can change quite often and our suppliers review their costs every month. We want to make sure you always get an honest, accurate price. If your quote does expire, don’t worry just get in touch and we’ll happily review it and update it for you. 

 A DNO stands for Distribution Network Operator. They’re the company responsible for managing and maintaining the electricity cables and infrastructure that supply power to your home or business. In simple terms, the DNO looks after the local electricity network that your solar system connects to. 

 If you want to install a system larger then 3.68kw then an application has to be made to your DNO. Due to the high output, they need to check that it will not cause any load issues on the National Grid. We will establish on the design call if you one is required, and if so Glow Green will submit this on your behalf.