The secret to solar success: top tips when considering installing solar

Over the coming weeks, Eddie Curran & Andrew Murphy, founders of leading Scottish renewable energy company GreenFox Energy, will help guide ESPC customers through the ins and outs and the do’s and don’ts of renewable energy for the home. In the second article of the series on home renewables, they discuss the "Secrets to Solar Success".

For homeowners who can take the long-term view, solar energy is a smart investment; with up to 25 years of significantly reduced electricity bills (up to 80% lower) achievable.

Let’s start by summarising what the financial proposition looks like - noting that no two homes are the same but that typical examples are generally a good guide on which to base your expectations.

Over 25 years (which is the lifetime of solar panels) the typical cost and benefit profile for a four-bedroom house occupied by 4-5 people looks like this:

• One-off upfront cost to purchase and install (solar + battery): £9,750
• Annual maintenance costs: £311 = (inflating annually at 3% = £11,399)
• Reduction in base year electricity bill: £925 (assumed inflation in the cost of grid power each year @ 5.3% = £45,389)
• Lifetime net benefit: £26,740 (includes the cost of £1500 inverter replacement at year 15 and a 25 year total £4k revenue from energy export)

Although impossible to quantify, there’s also protection from energy price shocks (e.g. like those caused by the Ukraine War) and avoiding power cuts caused by storms or grid shortages.

But this isn’t a fairy story and there is complexity for homeowners to navigate. With the right support, your home’s transition to solar can be straightforward and hassle-free but, despite that, every week we come across:

• The “Solar Stuck” – homeowners who feel they should go solar but lack confidence due to unknowns in the process.
• The “Solar Sorry” – those who inherited or installed solar but don’t fully understand it and suspect they’re not getting full value.

Unfortunately, the latter group often has poorly installed systems or received minimal guidance from their original engineer. In just one day last week, while delivering three of the ‘Solar Healthchecks’ we offer to non-GreenFox customers, two revealed outrageously poor fitting standards, and one had an inverter so underpowered that 25% of generated power was lost.

Bottom line: to achieve a hassle-free solar installation, lower bills, and greater energy independence, there are a few key things every homeowner should know.

1. Choosing Your Solar Engineer

The UK solar market is still immature. Most major utility providers outsource installation through price-led tenders, leaving their customers vulnerable to wide disparities in the quality of work delivered. Vigilance is crucial; great engineers exist but - in our experience - they’re outnumbered 5:1 by mediocre or poor providers.

Start by selecting an MCS-registered engineer—the UK’s national accreditation for solar installers. It sets a strong standard, though it’s not infallible. Beyond this, check Google and Trustpilot reviews, ask for customer referrals, and look for partnerships with, and accreditations from, trusted organisations.

GreenFox customers tell us they draw confidence from the fact we’re a Which? 5-star Trusted Trader and accredited by Tesla, Duracell, and Octopus Energy.

Insist on a professional site assessment. Roof angle, shading, the number of arrays you have, their orientation and local weather patterns all affect performance. Beware of estimates suggesting >80% electricity savings — that’s possible, but very rare. And remember that quality and compatibility of equipment matter just as much - and often more - than the number of panels you can fit on your roof.

2. Choosing Quality Equipment

Think of your roof as an asset. High-efficiency panels may cost more, but deliver better returns over 25 years. Inverters — devices that convert solar into usable power — vary in quality, warranty, and storage compatibility.

Also consider bird-proofing, a low-cost addition that prevents nesting damage and efficiency loss.

3. Batteries Multiply Your Savings

Pairing solar with battery storage takes your energy efficiency and independence to the next level. Batteries let you store daytime surplus and use it in the evening when electricity is expensive. This is essential in Scotland, where for the vast majority of households will see more power generated during the day than can be consumed until the evening.

Batteries also allow you to draw cheap overnight grid power (on a Time of Use tariff) and use it later. GreenFox provides all its customers with one-off free Tariff Advice during installation, or ongoing tariff support through its Vixen Care Plan.

Compare battery capacity, cycle life, and depth of discharge (how much energy can be used without damaging the battery). Also consider the small extra cost that enables auto fail-over battery use in a power cut—meaning your house automatically switches to battery power when grid power goes down. You’ll be a hero to your family and the envy of your blacked-out neighbours!

4. Monitor System Performance

Even the best solar setup needs monitoring. Use your app or portal to set alerts for drops in performance. With time, you’ll learn to fine-tune usage—deciding whether to consume, store, or sell power daily. This might seem daunting at first, but with guidance, it becomes easy—and even enjoyable—to track savings.

5. Maintenance: Don’t Ignore It

Solar is a long-term investment—typically between £8k and £20k—on par with a family car. Like a car, how you maintain it matters.

Dirty panels lose efficiency fast; about 10% every six to twelve months—so regular cleaning is well worth it. Annual inspections can uncover small but valuable tweaks and repairs. Skipping maintenance is usually a false economy.

Reactive call-outs cost more than planned care, yet few UK providers offer proactive maintenance plans. GreenFox Energy was the first Scottish company to offer a subscription-based Vixen Care Plan, and remains one of the few available in the UK. The plan includes free call-outs, on-tap advice, regular inspections and panel cleaning.

6. Maximise Self-Consumption and Battery Use

Selling excess power back to the grid sounds sexy, but using your own power is always more financially rewarding. Grid exports are best reserved for true surplus.

7. Stay Alert to Upgrade Needs

Your energy use may increase—EV chargers, home extensions, etc. Talk to your installer before expanding your system to ensure compatibility and avoid voiding warranties. For larger setups, microinverters or power optimisers can enhance performance.

Conclusion

Solar energy delivers outstanding financial and environmental value, but success hinges on informed choices and active management. Start smart, stay engaged, and partner with reliable experts to ensure you get the most from your investment. This article should serve as reliable guidance but to discuss any aspects in more detail we’d be delighted to hear from you at hello@greenfoxenergy.co.uk.

Next time: Heat Pumps, navigating the minefield!