Solar Energy Scotland welcomes the inclusion of solar into the Scottish Governments and Scottish Green parties’ draft policy programme, as announced earlier today. The document outlines the joint commitment from both parties to confront some of the greatest challenges faced in Scotland to date, responding to the climate emergency, supporting economic recovery and strengthening a green and fair recovery from the global pandemic. Solar Energy UK Chief Executive Chris Hewett said: “Scotland has a more ambitious target on net-zero than the rest of the UK, so we are looking forward to working closely with the new government to ensure solar energy can play a full part in the race to cut carbon emissions. The opportunities are huge, from a new generation of solar parks, to co-location with wind farms, large rooftop schemes and using onsite solar to decarbonise heat and transport.” Solar Energy Scotland Chair Thomas McMillan said: “The solar energy industry in Scotland welcomes the clear recognition in the cooperation agreement of the important role solar can play in Scotland’s drive to meet our 2030 climate obligations. As the cheapest, most readily deployable renewable technology, with substantial benefits for the economy and helping to tackle fuel poverty, it is time for the sector to be allowed to grow and flourish. Scotland’s solar opportunities could see deployment increase 15-fold by 2030, and this would deliver a solar sector in Scotland proportional to what is being achieved elsewhere in the UK.” Solar Energy Scotland is calling on Government to set a minimum solar deployment target of 4GW by 2030, with an ambitious Government delivering as much as 6GW over the next decade.

Installing a solar power system is a big decision. Finding out the right installer is a bigger decision. A solar panel investment is a matter of more than twenty-five years, and you cannot hire just about any company, which claims to install solar panels. It will help if you choose a solar installer who carefully looks at your requirements, your roof, stands behind their work, and honors any warranty. Take a look at the website and company values The company’s mission and vision statements, objectives, and values offer a glance into a business’s DNA, and you understand how you will be treated as a customer. If the values of the company match with what you are looking forward to, shortlist it. Look at their experience and longevity Gain information about the number of years they have been working in this field. If they are reliable, they will mention their past projects on their websites. Spend some time checking those and the certifications of the company. Examine the warranties Solarpower panels last for years without much maintenance. If an issue occurs, you should know who to contact. The solar energy system has several warranties, from the manufacturer warranties for various parts to workmanship warranties from installers.  The latter warranty adheres only to the specific work performed by the installer and usually spans over a period of ten years. Understand the warranty carefully to know what is included or excluded and check with the installer to learn about hidden aspects of the warranties. Also, ask the installer if you have to pay charges during the check or replacement of any equipment. Who will install the system? Full-service installers involve their in-house team members to complete the project – designing, installing, monitoring, and maintaining. Sometimes, solar installers depend on subcontractors to perform all or part of the work involved in installing the system. There is nothing to be disappointed by this as it is a normal practice in the industry. You have to pay attention to the level of transparency from the installers about who will install the system – the installers themselves or the subcontractors. Also, try to know why they use the subcontractor and what portion of the work will be done by the subs. Everything boils down to one point – who will be responsible if there is a problem and who will you go to for a solution. If they answer clearly, you can go ahead with the company or switch your attention to its competitors. Verify their online reviews and speak to their customers Never hire a company without listening to or reading the recommendations. You may talk to friends and neighbors who have also installed solar panels. The reviews about a company from its users and customers are a great way to know about its services. Check out social media platforms and Google reviews to get an insight into the company’s workmanship. Peace of Mind A purchase should never pressurize you. Is the installation company pushing hard? If yes, you may not be alarmed immediately as many reputable solar installers offer incentives to their staff with commissions. But, if you notice that the representatives are moving from door-to-door, insisting you sign a contract without reading it and convincing you that solar will be great for your roof while others refuse to install without repairing the house, understand that these are signs of high-pressure sales tactics. Keep your eyes and ears open for choosing a solar installer. Make sure that the company is reliable and has been in this industry for a long time.

Installing rooftop solar panels can provide home and property owners with the ability to power their homes using clean, renewable electricity generated on-site. Selecting the optimal location for panels to be installed can help to ensure superior output and performance. Home-Solar Installations Solar panels are devices which are used to convert the sun’s rays into useful electricity. The amount of sunlight exposure that panels receive can be a limiting factor in their ability to provide adequate performance. Installing panels on too sharply pitched or poorly angled roofs or locations where they may not face the sun could negatively impact performance. Optimal Position and Placement Ideally, solar panels should be installed in such a way as to maximize the volume of surface area that will be exposed to sunlight. Sunlight that hits the panels at too shallow of an angle can inhibit power output, so it is important to choose installation options that can help to offset the pitch or angle of a roof. Shade can also cause power output to drop, so the best locations for panel installation are those that offer full, unobstructed sunlight. Position is important, however protection is also and Solar Panels Pigeon Proofing is a must when installing. Seasonal Track The angle of the sun changes throughout the year, which is even more pronounced at higher latitudes. Positioning panels to face in either an easterly or westerly direction can help to maximize sunlight exposure during the early or later portions of the day. Having multiple banks of panels can help to minimize the impact that seasonal changes are likely to have on performance. Positioning panels to catch both the morning and evening rays while also utilizing panels positioned to capture sunlight during peak afternoon hours is often the most efficient approach. Roof Shape and Structure There are equipment and installation options that can allow homeowners to work around a roof with a steep pitch or that may not offer ideal mounting points. The best equipment and solar panel installation options can make it easy to adjust the pitch, angle, or even panels’ position once installed. Dynamic positioning ensures that a home-solar system or setup will be able to function even when installed in less than optimal locations. The ability to quickly and easily adjust solar panels can also allow them to be repositioned from one season to the next in order to track the changing angle of the sun better. Identifying the Best Location The best location for solar panel installation is the one that will afford them the most sunlight. While positions that may be less ideal could cause problems, investing in panels with higher output or increasing the number of panels to be installed can help to improve performance. Mounting equipment can also be a factor when selecting a location. Options that allow for dynamic positioning can enable panels to function more effectively even when installed in a sub-optimal location. Proper installation and placement are essential for ensuring that solar panels can provide superior performance. Positioning solar panels to optimize the angle of the sun and ensure maximum surface exposure can help to increase power output.