Does your new home have UPOWA solar panels?

From helpful advice, energy savings tips to aftercare support, our expert team are here to ensure your switch to solar PV is hassle-free.

 

Start your solar journey with UPOWA.

 

Your new home has a UPOWA solar PV system installed – great news! This means you’ll be generating green, solar electricity so you can save money and reduce your carbon footprint. Solar panels help protect you from rising energy costs and even add value to your home.

Fitted by our expert, MCS-accredited delivery team, your UPOWA solar PV system comes with a 2-year workmanship warranty, which can be extended for added peace of mind.

We’ve been fitting solar panels since 2008 and in that time, we’ve completed over 21,000 installations for new homes across the UK. So, you can be confident your solar PV system has been designed, installed, and commissioned to the highest standards.

With advice from our solar experts, this page will give you everything you need to know about your solar PV system. From how they work to common FAQs and helpful energy savings tips and much more.

Helpful advice for your solar PV system

 

  • Solar photovoltaic (PV) panels capture the sun’s energy and convert it into green electricity.

    Each solar panel consists of many photovoltaic cells made from layers of semiconducting material. Light hits these cells and creates a flow of direct current (DC) electricity.

    Solar panels don’t need direct sunlight to work and still work on a cloudy day all year round. But they will generate more electricity in stronger sunlight. Any excess solar electricity not used in your home is exported back to the grid.

    Solar inverter

    A solar inverter converts the direct current (DC) electricity generated by the solar panels into alternating current (AC) electricity so it can be used in your home so it can be used to power your home’s lights and appliances, or stored in a battery, for use later. It’s typically mounted in the loft space.

    Generation meter

    A generation meter measures how much electricity is being generated by your solar panels. It’s fitted near the mains board in your home and shows how many units of energy the solar panels have generated over their lifetime. The indicator light on the meter will flash red periodically every time your solar PV system generates a unit of electricity.

  • Solar PV systems have no moving parts so rarely fail and require little or no maintenance. However, grid surges or power cuts may trip the solar PV circuit, stopping it from generating. To see whether your solar PV system is working correctly check there is a flashing red light on your generation meter (it will be solid red at night or if it is not generating).

  • Your solar PV system is grid-connected. This means during a power cut your solar PV system will automatically switch off. This is a standard safety measure designed to stop electricity from leaking onto the national grid and to protect individuals who may be working to restore the power supply. During a power cut your solar panels won’t be generating electricity and so won’t be able to power your home.

  • Your UPOWA solar PV system includes a 2-year materials & workmanship warranty as standard. The UPOWA solar panels come with a 10-year manufacturer product warranty and a 25-year linear power output guarantee.

    If your solar PV system is still within its 2-year warranty period and you find a problem that might require technical assistance, contact your housing developer and they will liaise with our dedicated Aftercare Team to book in a home visit to the resolve the issue.

  • What is the Smart Export Guarantee?

    The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) allows you to earn money for any surplus energy generated by your solar panels that is exported back to the grid. You can only receive SEG if you are not already receiving Feed-in Tariff payments.

    To get paid for your excess energy you’ll need to sign up for an SEG tariff with an electricity provider. You’ll need to meet their eligibility criteria, which includes having a smart meter installed.

    How to apply for the Smart Export Guarantee?

    The Ofgem website https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/publications/seg-supplier-list lists the energy suppliers that supply Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) tariffs. If you wish to apply for the SEG you’ll need a copy of your system MCS Certificate and proof that you own your home. These documents show your entitlement for an SEG payment.

    When you moved into your new home the housing developer would have supplied a UPOWA System Handover pack which contains the MCS Certificate. If you don’t have this, please contact us at aftercare@upowa.co.uk and we’ll provide you with a digital copy. We’ll just need your address, plot number and the name of your housebuilder.

    The SEG provider may also request a G98 Commissioning Certificate. We produce this document after installing your solar PV system and will issue it to the Distribution Network Operator (DNO). If you need a copy of this too, email aftercare@upowa.co.uk and one of the team will send you a copy.

    Where to find your Export MPAN?

    After we commission and connect your solar panels, we notify the Distribution Network Operator (DNO). If you apply for Smart Export Guarantee, your SEG provider will need to contact the DNO to request an Export MPAN. The Export MPAN is used to find the export supply from the Generation meter in your home. This helps your SEG provider to know how much solar electricity you’re exporting to the grid.

  • A solar PV system is a Solid-State device (i.e. there are no moving parts other than the isolators) and it is either on or off. This means your solar panels need little to no maintenance unless there is a fault with the system.

    A fault with your solar PV system can be found by the generation meter not increasing in units generated, the red light on the meter being solid during the daytime, or there being an error code on the solar inverter.

    We recommend an annual system health check to ensure it’s working safely and efficiently.

    If you find any issues with your solar PV system, please first refer to Helpful advice for your solar PV system: How to check your solar panels are working?

    If that does not resolve the issue and you need further support, please go to the Important aftercare information at the bottom of this page.

    Remember to make sure any trees, shrubs and hedges in your garden are trimmed regularly so they are not overhanging your solar panels. If your solar panels are shaded, it could affect the amount of electricity they generate.

    Do your solar panels need cleaning?

    A clean solar panel will generate more electricity than a dirty one. The UK gets plenty of rain to keep your panels clean. But if you notice yours becoming excessively dirty or covered in bird droppings, cleaning your solar panels with warm soapy water may be required.

    Due to working at heights and live electrics, the cleaning of your solar panels should be carried out by a professional, such as a solar panel cleaning company or window cleaner. Do not try to clean yourself.

Make the most out of your solar panels

 

  • Cut your electricity bills

    During daylight hours your solar panels will generate free electricity that can be used to power your home. So, the amount of electricity you need to buy from your energy provider should be less. This can save you money on your electricity bills.

    The amount of electricity your solar PV system will generate will depend on the system size and where you live. The more solar electricity you use, the more you’ll save on your bills.

    Visit https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/advice/solar-panels/ for more information on annual savings where you live.

    Lower your household carbon footprint

    The free electricity generated by your solar panels is green, renewable energy. During daylight hours, it reduces the need for electricity from your energy provider, helping to lower your household carbon emissions, minimising the impact on the environment.

    Other sustainable benefits of your solar panels:

    • Future-proof your home against energy price rises

    • Get paid for selling surplus energy back to the grid through the Smart Export Guarantee

    • Make your home more sustainable and energy-efficient

    • Improve your home's Energy Performance Certificate

    • A safe and reliable source of renewable energy

    • Increase value of your home by up to £2000*

    *Source: Solar Energy UK

  • Reduce your electricity use

    Your solar PV system can produce a proportion of your annual electricity needs even on cloudy days. So, the less electricity you use in the home, the more likely your solar panels can supply more of the energy you need, resulting in lower electricity bills.

    If you’re using more power in your home than your solar panels generate, or during the evening when your solar panels are not generating any electricity, you must buy this electricity from your energy provider.

    By reducing your electricity use your lower your bills and reduce your carbon footprint at the same time. If you’re signed up to a Smart Export Guarantee tariff, you’ll get paid for every unit of electricity you export to the grid.

    Use more electricity during the day

    Your solar panels will only be generating electricity during daylight hours. So, this is the best time to use your home’s electrical appliances. We recommend that you spread the use of appliances like your dishwasher and washing machine throughout the day. This will ensure you maximise your free electricity supply.

    Timers and remote-control devices can help when you are not home. You can also charge laptops and mobile devices during the day and use their battery power at night.

    Keep your panels clean and unshaded

    A clean solar panel will generate more electricity than a dirty one. The UK gets plenty of rain to keep your panels clean. But if you notice yours becoming excessively dirty or covered in bird droppings, cleaning your solar panels with warm soapy water may be required.

    Due to working at heights and live electrics, the cleaning of your solar panels should be carried out by a professional, such as a solar panel cleaning company or window cleaner. Do not try to clean yourself.

    Remember to make sure any trees, shrubs and hedges in your garden are trimmed regularly so they are not overhanging your solar panels. If your solar panels are shaded, it could affect the amount of electricity they generate.

    Combine your solar panels with other green technology

    You can combine your solar PV system with other renewable technologies for heating and hot water in your home. A heat pump could be powered by your solar panels to further optimise the electricity generated.

    Install a solar PV diverter

    A solar PV diverter is a low maintenance technology that can be used to increase your own consumption of the electricity generated by your solar panels.

    Instead of surplus electricity exporting to the grid, a solar PV diverter uses this excess to power the immersion heater in your hot water tank, storing hot water for you to use later.

    On its own, the excess solar energy is unlikely to meet all your hot water needs, but it can help and lower your electricity bills.

    For storing the solar electricity generated

    Battery storage can store surplus electricity for later, so you can power appliances in the home when your solar panels aren't generating enough or its night time. This means you can utilise more of your free, green electricity generated, instead of importing it from your energy provider.

  • Avoid standby

    Most electrical appliances and devices in your home can be switched off at the plug without interrupting their programming.

    Turn off lights

    Remember to turn your lights off when you’re not using them or when you leave a room. Replacing the lights with lower energy LED bulbs could also help you save even more.

    Washing clothes at 30-degrees

    Run your washing machine on a 30-degree cycle instead of higher temperatures will help save on energy use in the home.

    Be smart in the kitchen

    One of the most used home appliances is a kettle. If you only boil the water you need this can help towards lowering your energy use and save on your electricity bills.

    Another tip is to only turn on your dishwasher when it is full, this reduces the number of times you will use the appliance and the amount of water you use.

FAQs

 

  • Yes, your solar panels generate free electricity in daylight all year round. But efficiency and generation will differ due to seasonal conditions. For example, electricity generation will be more during a sunny summer’s day compared with a cloudy day during the winter.

  • No, you don’t need to let your energy provider know that you have a solar PV system installed. As soon as you move into your new home, you’ll benefit from the free electricity generated during daylight hours. This will will help to reduce your annual energy bills.

    Details on how to register your solar PV system for Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) can be found under Helpful advice for your solar PV system: What is the Smart Export Guarantee and how to apply?

  • Any electricity generated by your home’s solar panels not used at the time of generation will feed back into the grid. Under the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) you can get paid for every unit of electricity that is exported to the grid. To qualify for SEG payments you must have a smart meter installed in your home and apply for an SEG tariff from the Ofgem-approved energy suppliers. For more information go to Helpful advice for your solar PV system: What is the Smart Export Guarantee and how to apply?

  • We install a generation meter in your home as part of your solar PV system. This measures how much free electricity is generated by your solar panels. It shows how many units of energy the solar panels have generated over their lifetime. The indicator light on the meter will flash red periodically every time a unit is generated. You can compare the actual amount generated against your system’s annual expected generation. This can be found on the MCS Certificate in your UPOWA System Handover Pack.

  • A typical 3.5 kWp solar PV system could generate over 3,000 kWh a year. That’s more than a typical household would consume in the same timeframe (approximately 2,900 kWh). However, most homes export a lot of this electricity back to the grid, because they don’t necessarily use enough electricity at the time it’s being generated.

    For example, a large amount of electricity is generated by your solar panels during the day, but if you’re at work, there won’t be much free electricity being used in your home.

  • No, the free electricity generated by your solar PV system cannot be stored and used at other times. It must be used at the same time it is generated, which is during daylight hours. To store your generated solar electricity, you’ll need a suitable battery storage unit installed.

  • A house with solar panels is seen as a sustainable benefit as it can have lower electricity bills compared to a house without solar panels. The solar PV system installed on your roof is owned by you and is not related to any lease scheme.

  • Yes, there will be no changes to the way you receive your electricity bill. You’ll be charged for the electricity used in your home which your energy provider supplies.

  • If your solar PV system is working, you’ll see a flashing red light on your generation meter (it will be solid red at night or if it is not generating).

  • All UPOWA solar panels come with a 25-year manufacturer warranty as standard. We’ll guarantee that the solar panels will still be working to at least 80% of their original performance efficiency twenty-five years after we’ve installed it.

Important aftercare information

 

  • Within the 2-year warranty period, please report all issues with your solar PV system to your housing developer's Customer Service Team. They’ll liaise with our Aftercare Team to log the defect.

    We aim to contact you within 2 working days. If we cannot resolve the issue over the phone, we’ll arrange for one of our qualified Solar PV experts to visit your home at a time that is convenient to you.

  • If you need technical support or have an operational issue with your solar PV system outside the 2-year warranty period, please contact our dedicated Aftercare Team at aftercare@upowa.co.uk

    Depending on the issue we’ll provide troubleshooting advice or arrange for a visit to your home which will be chargeable.

  • If you need system documentation like an MCS or G98 Certificate, please drop us an email at aftercare@upowa.co.uk and our team will be able to help.

  • A solar PV system produces DC electric current during daylight conditions and has live parts. We recommend any maintenance work is carried out by UPOWA or a qualified electrician.

    Emergency shutdown of your solar PV system

    In the rare case that your solar PV system has a problem, it can be easily and safely be stopped from generating and disconnected from your property’s electrical supply by completing the following steps:

    1. Turn the main AC isolator in an anti-clockwise direction until you hear a click so it’s in the OFF or “O” position.

    2. This will shut off the AC connection from the consumer unit to your solar inverter so it turns off and stops generating immediately.

    3. There is also a DC isolator and second AC isolator fitted in the loft or solar inverter location. These can also be turned off using the same process as above. Turning the DC isolator off will stop any voltage getting to the solar inverter but the incoming cables to the DC isolator will remain live under daylight conditions.