Egg’s 4 steps to solar: What is the solar panel installation process?
Laura Kinsley | 14/11/2022
What is the process of getting a solar installation and, most importantly, what does it all cost?
At a Glance
A breakdown of our whole process
A breakdown of all the costs
It doesn’t get much cleaner or greener than generating your own solar energy to power your home.
Not only do solar panels drastically reduce the cost of your electricity bills, but they also lower your carbon emissions. The sun is an environmentally friendly and incredibly powerful power source, meaning your pocket and the planet will thank you.
It’s all well and fine putting solar panels on your wish list and imagining a greener future, but how do you get solar panels installed? They aren’t as much of a pipe dream as you think. They are achievable and attainable and the process isn’t as much of a minefield as you’ve been led to believe.
What’s the process of getting solar?
Let’s break down the process, down to costs and timeframes, in just four steps.
1) Your enquiry
After you have made your enquiry, our team will call you to take you through some questions.
We will confirm your location and ask for your home’s annual kWh output (you'll find this on your electricity bill).
We'll give you information about our products available – including both solar and battery storage and their benefits.
2) Virtual survey
We'll arrange a FREE virtual solar survey with our solar design team, at a time to suit you
Using specialist software we will assess your roof space, location and surroundings for potential shading.
Based on this survey we will provide you with an estimate of solar energy generation along with a detailed quotation for your full solar and storage system, including installation.
Once you have had time to read through your quotation, we are here to answer any further questions you may have.
3) The legal bits
The contract
If you would like to go ahead with your solar installation with Egg, we will send you your contract for you to sign and get back to us
Our quotations are valid for 30 days
(Potential) G99 application
Takes up to 60 working days
Not everyone gets this, but it depends on the size of your inverter and energy output
If this is required, we’ll need to inform the DNO (Distribution Network Operation) through a G99 application – which we do for you
The DNO are the people who look after the energy that goes into your home, so this application requests permission to install your solar and battery system
If needed, the DNO can charge £360 to £660 for the application, which is paid directly to them
4) The go-ahead!
Installation day!
The average 8 panel solar system takes approximately 4 days to install
Scaffolding will arrive and be built a few days before the installation
Once complete, we will send you a handover pack, filled with all the documentation you need – reference numbers, all passwords, and certificates
You start reaping the benefits right away!
How much does it cost to get solar panels installed?
What are the costs of a solar panel system? It’s a common (and important!) question.
While upgrading to solar certainly shows in the installation costs, the combination helps to save both energy and money in the long run.
Pairing your solar panels with a battery saves you as much as 90% on your energy bills. According to the Energy Saving Trust, the average home with a 3.5-kilowatt system could reduce its annual energy bills by anywhere between £170 and £440 off its household bills. That makes quite the difference!
So, while the upfront price of solar can be off-putting, you immediately start reaping the benefits as soon as it’s installed.
But what is it you’re paying for? Let’s break down the total cost.
Solar panels - starting from £6,318
Includes installation
This is based on 8 panels, the minimum typically required to generate enough solar energy to meaningfully reduce reliance on the grid
Solar + battery storage - starting at £10,750
Includes installation
If the battery is installed along with the solar panels, it is included in the 0% VAT that solar installations have
If we install solar and battery storage at the time, you pay 0% VAT. If battery storage is installed after and separately from solar, VAT is 20%
Want to make your house a green home? Take that first step to harnessing the sun’s power by making a solar enquiry here.