This article applies for:
your solar PV system
Published on:
How do my solar panels work?
Your solar panels will generate electricity whenever there is daylight. They produce the most electricity during the brightest parts of the day, typically between 11am-3pm, but they will continue to generate power on cloudy days and during the morning and afternoon at lower levels.
This energy feeds directly into your supply and is used in your home first, allowing you to make use of free energy. Any additional energy you use beyond what the panels generate comes from the grid as usual, i.e. the energy you pay your energy provider for.
Most of our solar PV systems don’t have a battery attached. This means you will need to use the energy when it is being generated to get the greatest benefit. For this reason, we recommend running large appliances, like your washing machine, dishwashers and tumble dryers during the middle of the day where possible, when solar generation is typically highest.
You can read more about getting the most out of your solar panels at the Centre for Sustainable Energy, here: https://www.cse.org.uk/advice/making-the-most-of-your-solar-pv-panels/
If you have a battery, excess energy that is not used is stored in the battery for you to use at any time of the day. Once the battery is full, any additional excess electricity may be exported to the grid.
What do I need to do to get my solar panels working?
Absolutely nothing! Your solar panels will be set up and ready to go, delivering electricity to your home and reducing the amount of electricity you need to buy from the grid. You do not need to change your energy tariff.
Smart Export Guarantee and MCS certificates
Some energy providers may offer a Smart Export Guarantee tariff. This is where the owner of the solar panels can receive payment for excess energy that the panels generate that isn’t used and is sent back to the grid.
A Smart Export Guarantee tariff is not needed for your solar panels to work – they will continue to operate and provide energy to your home regardless of the tariff you’re on, or the energy company you’re with.
If you rent your home from us, our policy is that you are not eligible to apply for a Smart Export Guarantee tariff.
Because not all of our customers currently have the benefit of solar, we are currently exploring ways to capture the value of exported electricity from the homes we manage, so that the benefits can be reinvested for the benefit of all our customers. For this reason, we do not provide MCS certificates to customers who rent.
If you are a shared owner, you may be able claim Smart Export Guarantee. Please get in touch and ask for the MCS certificate from your housing manager.
Paying for and installing your own solar PV
In line with the majority of housing associations, Aster does not allow residents to install their own solar panels because we own and are responsible for the roof, including any risks arising from installation or maintenance.
Plug-in solar
The UK Government has announced plans to support the rollout of plug-in solar (sometimes known as ‘balcony solar’). Plug-in solar systems are now available in the UK.
At this time, plug in solar is not permitted in our homes.
We have a duty to make sure that the system, its electrical connection and where it will be installed meet current safety standards. We also need to check that it won't affect the building, fire safety, insurance arrangements, shared areas or other people living nearby, and that it is appropriately installed and managed.
We are currently reviewing our approach and considering how we manage these risks. Until we have an approved process that ensures the safety of all our customers, plug in solar will not be permitted.
Thank you for your understanding and support. If you have any questions or would like to discuss a plug-in solar system, please get in touch with our Contact Centre on 0333 800 4222 or contactcentre@aster.co.uk and we'll be happy to help.
