Installing renewable energy in your property can be a daunting idea. We believe that empowering you with information to help you make decisions is the best policy. We have outlined some frequently asked questions. However, please contact us if you have any further queries by email: sales@carbonmetrics.eu or by phone on +44 207 193 4270.

How Solar Works

Will solar work on my home or business?
We hope so! The two biggest factors are the amount sunlight you get throughout the day and the amount of open roof space. We can give you a quick assessment by looking at satellite photos of your property. If your roof looks good, we will schedule a follow-up free solar consultation where one of our experts will survey your site to evaluate if a solar power system will fit with your architecture and meet your energy needs.

Will I need to adapt my home or business to run on solar power?
No. Solar power electric systems fit seamlessly into your building. You won't have to buy new appliances or change your electrical outlets; everything will work just the same as it did before. You should experience no practical changes except for one: you won't have to pay a big electrical bill every month!

No big utility bill? Really?
Really! When you begin to generate your own solar power, your electricity bill will drop significantly. How much you can save will depend on the size of your solar system and your electricity usage. When your solar system generates more electricity than your building can immediately use, your excess power flows back to the utility grid and your meter literally spins backward!

Should I wait for new technology?
No, now is really the best time to invest in a solar system with the combination of technology and cost. The underlying benefit of turning sunlight into electricity will not change for as long as we still use electricity to power our homes and businesses! Carbonmetrics offers multiple solar panel solutions to our customers, including First Solar modules, the latest in thin panel technology. We continue to evaluate new technology and will offer it to our customers once it becomes a reliable and cost effective option.

The other key component in evaluating the right time to install solar is government incentives. The UK government has announced a generous Feed in Tariff to go solar; however, these programs are designed to reward early adopters of solar power, so the incentive amount per project continues to drop as the allotted funds are consumed.

What size solar system do I need?
Every home and business is different, so the size of your system will depend on your energy needs, roof space and solar goals. Residential solar systems are typically 3-10 kW and commercial systems range from 50–500 kW for a medium sized business. Carbonmetrics will custom design a system to meet your specific needs and offset as much of your utility bill as you desire.

What maintenance is required?
Your solar energy system requires very little maintenance, largely because it has no moving parts. All your system requires is minimal shade, occasional cleaning and inspection. We suggest that you keep an eye on trees that may shade your system and keep them trimmed. Using our software—the Carbonmetrics service team proactively monitors your system output to ensure that your system is performing as it should. In the unlikely event that your system underperforms, Carbonmetrics will alert you and help to remedy the situation. With our maintenance and warranty, repairs are included as part of our service to you.

How reliable is solar power?
Solar systems built today are very reliable. They have proven to be dependable sources of energy for large office buildings, mass retailers and governmental agencies, supplying megawatts of energy. Carbonmetrics has incredible high quality standards and only use best of breed equipment—we build our systems to last.

Do I need a battery back-up system?
No. Battery systems are expensive and are not recommended. All Carbonmetrics solar systems are connected to the utility grid so you always have access to a power source. You never have to worry about “running out” of power.

What happens at night, or when the weather turns cloudy?
Since the amount of power your solar system generates is a direct result of sunlight, it will produce slightly less energy when the weather is cloudy. Your system will not produce any energy at night. Your Carbonmetrics power system will be interconnected to your locally utility grid, so that you can automatically begin to draw power from the grid whenever you need it. You won’t experience any power interruptions—the switch between solar system power and the utility grid happens seamlessly, with no effort on your part.

What happens if there is a black out?
In the event of a black out, your system is designed to turn off. This is a safety requirement by the utility company so that their technicians can safely repair down electrical lines.

How long will a solar system last?
Most of the parts on your solar system, such as solar panels, carry manufacturer's warranties of 25 years; other parts, such as inverters, carry 10-year warranties. In addition, Carbonmetrics offers a warranty of at least 10 years on installation and system performance. Most solar systems may far outlast their warranties; many of the first solar systems installed more than 30 years ago are still going strong.

Installation Process

Is it difficult to switch over to solar power?
No. Carbonmetrics makes it easy to switch to solar. We will get your solar system up and running as quickly and smoothly as possible so that you can start saving money and using clean energy. You won't experience any changes inside your home or business.

How long will it take to get my new solar system up and running?
A typical residential roof installation takes about 3-5 days and a typical commercial installation takes about 1-3 weeks from the day we begin the installation. The length of time depends on the complexity of your roof and the number of panels that will be installed. The estimated installation time will be included in the design proposal presented to you by Carbonmetrics.

What kind of permits are needed to meet local building codes?
As part of our comprehensive service, Carbonmetrics will obtain all building permits and design your system to meet your local building codes. We’ll arrange the electrical, building and utility inspections and be on-site to make sure that everything is up to code. Carbonmetrics takes care of your project every step of the way.

What if my roof needs repairs after I've installed solar panels?
Ideally, you should install solar panels on a roof that is in good condition. When a Carbonmetrics site auditor comes out to inspect your building prior to installation, he or she will check to make sure that your roof is suitable for a solar installation. Once the solar panels are installed, they actually help to protect your roof from the elements. If you should ever need to make repairs on the roof, the solar panels will need to be removed and re-installed. Carbonmetrics offers this service for a reasonable fee.

Financial benefits of Solar

Does a solar system make financial sense for me?
Solar is a smart financial investment because you will save money on electrical costs for years to come and increase your home value. Our customers who purchase their system typically see a strong Return on Investment ( ROI ) and expect to recoup their solar system investment within 5-10 years. Depending on the rebates and incentives offered in your area, you may be able to pay back your system even sooner.

With Carbonmetrics’s Solar Financing Solution, you can finance your system with zero upfront investment, so that you can start saving right away.

Is now a good time to buy a solar system?
Now is the perfect time to switch to solar. The UK Government is offering generous incentives through its Feed in Tariff to go solar; however, these programs are designed to reward early adopters of solar power, so the incentive amount per project continues to drop as the allotted funds are consumed. In additions, solar can dramatically reduce your utility bill and will protect you from rising energy bills for years to come.

Do you have financing available?
Yes. Carbonmetrics offers a Solar Financing Solution for homeowners. Now you can start experiencing the benefits of solar power immediately—without any capital investment or equipment purchase. We install and maintain the equipment on your site. You just repay our investment using the income from the government incentives.

Email us now on sales@carbonmetrics.eu or call us on +44 207 193 4270 for more details.