Solar panel installation

Solar installation process

Many believe solar panel installation is a very intrusive process that takes weeks and requires lots of project management from the customer’s side.

This however is not the case, with a growing number of UK residents having solar installed, more than 183,000 in 2023, the process has improved drastically across the UK over the last few years and you’ll be pleased to hear that most installations are completed within a matter of days. At egg, we make things simple, taking care of everything from your bespoke quote, to the finished installation.

Depending on the type of solar system, the layout and size of your property, and the cable routes required, each installation will vary slightly in duration. In this example, we’re going to look at your average two-story family home that is having solar and storage installed.

On the image above, you can see a typical household layout and potential locations for the equipment. Depending on your specific property and roof orientation, it may be beneficial to have the battery, inverter and solar to all be installed on the same side of the property.

The inverter converts the energy generated from the solar panels and in most cases this is installed in the loft space, next to your fuse box, or somewhere external to the property depending on other equipment locations.

Do I need planning permission for solar panels?

Most installations of solar panels are considered to be a 'Permitted Development' and therefore don't require planning permission. However there are a few cases where this is required.

Check with your local planning authority if you live in a:

• Conservation area

• Area of outstanding natural beauty

• National park

• Listed building

For the majority of our installations, the only approval that may be needed is from your energy network supplier, which we will take care of as part of the installation process. This is called a DNO.

What is a DNO?

A Distribution Network Operator, or DNO, is a company that owns part of the physical infrastructure of the electrical grid. That includes the power lines, cables and substations that bring energy from power plants to your home.

You need to apply for solar DNO as your solar system will be connected to the grid and when any kind of energy-generating technology is connected to the grid, it can cause voltage spikes or pose issues to local supply.

A solar DNO application is submitted by your installer to notify your DNO that you’re having solar panels installed.

How much space is needed for scaffolding?

Typically, we need around 1.5 meters around the property to erect scaffolding for the solar installation. This doesn't need to be the whole of the property, but it will need to be the aspect of the roof that we are installing on and potentially the sides of the property too.

While we may be able to work around certain objects, we would advise that this area is cleared prior to the installation date to ensure there are no issues when the scaffolding is being erected, which could delay the installation. This also includes trees, hedges and any other form of obstruction to access.

Scaffolding will normally be erected prior to the installation date and left up for 5 working days post-installation to confirm everything is up and running as it should be. This allows easier access to the roof should we identify anything that's incorrect and minimise disruption or wait time for a customer.

How are cables routed through my property?

We try to locate equipment so that cable routes can be done externally, with minimal intrusion or disruption to your home and existing décor. If we do need to run cables internally, we’ll run them out of sight, or within trunking if this isn’t possible. All cable routes will be discussed with you prior to installation.

On the image above, there are two coloured lines; blue indicates existing power circuits in the home and red indicates the new cabling that we’ll need to install. In this example, the inverter needs to connect directly to both the battery and your existing consumer unit. Depending on the system you are having installed, this may vary.

Assuming that the loft is boarded and accessible, we may install the inverter in your loft space, close to the solar panels on the roof. We’ll then run cables externally down the wall to the battery and to the existing fuse box. Due to the existing electrical cable installation, supporting joists, other issues under flooring and not to mention the potential of internal décor damage, we may not be able to install cables under flooring or within walls.

How is my roofing and walls made watertight after installation?

We use sealants and adhesives to maintain the integrity of any opening created for the purpose of running cables. For others, the fittings, and fixtures we use provide their own watertight seal once installed. 

When thinking about the mounting structure for the solar panels and framework on your roof, we won’t be completely removing tiles for most systems. Instead, we’ll be modifying tiles to ensure that they fit around the new structure, which we will then refit and they’ll continue to act as a standard roof tile would, maintaining the integrity of your roof.

 The simplest answer to this is that all openings created for the purpose of running cables or installing hardware will be appropriately sealed to prevent moisture ingress. All equipment we install externally to the property is suitable to be installed outside and provides an adequate level of protection against moisture ingress.

Who will be carrying out work on my property?

We only use suitably trained, accredited, or experienced installation teams, who specialise in each area of the work. We wouldn’t expect an electrician to also be an expert on roofs, which is why our teams consist of multiple people, each with a specialist area.

During your installation, you’ll normally have scaffolders, roofers and electricians at your property, each carrying out works in their respective fields of expertise. Whilst the scaffolding and roofing teams may not be on-site for the duration of the installation, our electricians will be there making sure everything is connected safely, tested, and certified.

Who needs to be at the property during installation?

We require someone over the age of 18 with a good knowledge of the property to be available, it does not need it to be customer themselves although this is advised. 

The installers may need to know where equipment is in the property, such as electricity meter or internet router. We may also ask the preferred cable routing options, which means the person at the property needs to have the authority and knowledge to make these decisions.

Energy expert - Chris Pickford

“While many see a solar installation as a major overhaul of the home's electrical systems, the reality is that most solar systems can be installed in only a couple of days, with minimal disruption. 

The majority of solar equipment is designed to be installed outdoors, meaning that a large amount of the work will take place outside your home, or directly on your roof, with minimal impact to anything inside your home.

Even those working from home find solar installation to be only minorly intrusive, with electrical down time being kept to a minimum and not for the duration of the installation..”