Thinking About Solar Panels? What to Consider Before Choosing a System

If you are considering solar panels, it is easy to focus on the most visible questions first: how many panels can fit on the roof, how much the system will cost, and whether adding a battery is worthwhile.

But choosing the right solar PV system involves more than selecting a standard package. Your property, roof, electricity usage and future plans can all affect what may be suitable.

At Empire Electrical Innovations, we install solar PV systems across Hertfordshire and surrounding areas, including parts of Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire and Greater London. Whether you live in a busy town, a suburban property or a more rural location, the right solar design depends on the individual building and how you use electricity.

Here are some of the main things worth considering before choosing a system.

Start with your property, not a standard package

Two homes can have very different solar requirements, even if they are similar in size.

The available roof space, roof direction, shading and surrounding buildings can all influence the suitability and design of a solar PV system. That is why it is worth looking at the individual property rather than assuming that a standard number of panels or a pre-set package will be right for every home.

A larger system is not automatically a better system. The aim should be to consider what works for the property and what you want the installation to achieve.

Does your roof need to face south?

Not necessarily.

A south-facing roof can be particularly favourable for solar generation, but other roof orientations may still be suitable. East- and west-facing roofs can also support solar PV, depending on the individual property and system design.

The more useful question is not simply:

“Does my roof face south?”

It is:

“What could a suitably designed system generate on my property?”

A proper assessment should consider the roof as it actually is rather than ruling a property in or out based on one factor alone.

Shading and roof layout matter

Shading can come from nearby trees, neighbouring buildings, chimneys and other obstructions. The amount and timing of that shading may affect expected generation and influence how a system is designed.

Roof layout matters too. Some properties have large, simple roof areas, while others have multiple roof sections, extensions, dormers or more unusual arrangements.

A more complicated roof does not automatically mean solar is impossible. It does mean the property may need more careful consideration.

Think about how you actually use electricity

The biggest possible system is not automatically the right system.

Your current electricity usage can help inform conversations about system size and what you want the installation to achieve. For example, a household where people are regularly at home during the day may use electricity differently from one that is usually empty until the evening.

It is also worth thinking about when you use electricity, not only the total amount shown on an annual bill. Solar panels generate electricity during daylight hours, so usage patterns can be relevant when considering how you may use the electricity your system produces.

If you want an independent starting point before speaking to an installer, the Energy Saving Trust solar energy calculator can provide an initial estimate based on information about your home and energy use.

Solar panels do not automatically mean you need a battery

Battery storage can be a valuable addition to a solar PV system, but it should not be treated as compulsory.

A battery can store electricity for use later rather than requiring all available solar generation to be used at the time it is produced. This may suit households that generate electricity during the day but use more power at other times.

For some households, solar panels without battery storage may be appropriate.

For others, a battery may fit their usage pattern and priorities well. The potential benefits should be considered alongside factors such as the additional cost of the battery and what you want the overall system to achieve.

The important point is that solar panels and battery storage are related decisions, but they are not the same decision.

Consider how your electricity use might change

A solar system is installed for the future as well as the present, so it can be useful to think about changes that may affect your electricity demand.

For example, are you considering:

• buying an electric vehicle?

• installing a home EV charger?

• switching to a heat pump?

• working from home more often?

• making a significant extension or other change to the property?

These changes do not automatically mean you need a larger solar system, and future demand should not be guessed or exaggerated. But they can be useful factors to discuss when considering what may suit you over the longer term.

If you already know that your electricity use is likely to change, raising that early can help ensure those future plans are part of the conversation.

Do not assume a complicated property means solar is impossible

Some solar installations are straightforward. Others need a closer look.

A property might have:

• an unusual roof layout

• limited obvious panel space

• shading considerations

• multiple roof sections

• access challenges

• electrical requirements that need further investigation

• other site-specific complications

This is an area where Empire Electrical Innovations is particularly happy to help.

We are willing to take a closer look at projects that may not fit a standard installation model, including properties where another installer has previously said the project is too difficult or cannot be done.

We cannot promise that every property will be suitable for solar, but we do not believe a challenging installation should be dismissed without proper consideration. Our team is experienced in looking at more complex requirements and exploring whether there is a safe, practical and compliant way forward.

Check whether planning or other permissions may apply

Many domestic solar installations in England can be carried out without a full planning application where the relevant permitted development conditions are met. However, you should not assume that the same position applies to every property.

Additional considerations may arise for listed buildings, properties in some conservation settings, leasehold homes or installations that fall outside permitted development limits.

If there is any uncertainty, the requirements should be checked for the specific property rather than relying on a blanket rule. For listed buildings and other historic properties, Historic England provides guidance on consents and permissions for photovoltaic installations.

Look beyond the headline price when comparing installers

Price matters, but it is not the only thing worth comparing.

When reviewing solar proposals, consider whether you understand:

• what equipment is being proposed

• why the suggested system size has been chosen

• whether battery storage is included or optional

• what warranties apply and who provides them

• what installation work is included

• whether any assumptions or exclusions are clearly explained

• what certification and consumer protections apply

For small-scale renewable installations, MCS is an important part of the landscape. It sets standards covering low-carbon products and installations and provides a public route for checking certified installers. You can use the official MCS installer search to check current certification.

A quote should give you enough information to understand what is being proposed rather than leaving you to compare headline prices for systems that may not be equivalent.

Think about what happens to electricity you do not use

If your solar panels generate electricity that you do not use or store, you may be able to receive payment for eligible electricity exported to the grid through the Smart Export Guarantee.

The exact arrangements and tariff rates vary between suppliers, and eligibility requirements apply. Ofgem’s Smart Export Guarantee guidance explains how the scheme works and is the best place to check the underlying rules.

This is another reason to be cautious about solar quotes or marketing that rely on a single assumed export rate or guaranteed annual return.

The right system depends on what you want it to achieve

There is no single solar setup that is automatically right for every household.

One homeowner may want to reduce the amount of electricity they buy from the grid. Another may be planning for an electric vehicle. Someone else may be deciding whether battery storage makes sense for their usage pattern.

The most useful starting point is to consider:

• your property

• your roof and surrounding site

• your current electricity usage

• when you tend to use electricity

• whether your usage may change

• whether battery storage fits your priorities

• any practical or planning constraints

From there, a system can be considered around the individual property rather than forcing the property into a standard package.

Considering solar panels?

Empire Electrical Innovations installs solar PV systems across Hertfordshire and surrounding areas, including parts of Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire and Greater London.

If you are considering solar panels but are unsure what may suit your property, our team can help you explore the options. We are also happy to take a closer look at more complicated installations and properties that may not fit a standard approach.

If you want to understand what happens after you first get in touch, read our guide: What Happens When You Request a Solar Quote?