Solar questions, answered by the decision they affect

Yes. Solar PV generates from daylight, although output varies with season, roof orientation and shading. The proposal should show property-specific annual generation assumptions rather than relying on a general headline.

Many domestic installations are permitted development in Scotland, but listed buildings, conservation areas, flats, ground-mounted arrays and unusual designs need individual checks. We identify relevant constraints during assessment.

Eligible systems can apply to an electricity supplier offering a Smart Export Guarantee tariff. Suppliers set their own rates and evidence requirements; an MCS certificate is commonly required for domestic installations.

Often, yes. We need to identify the existing inverter and protection arrangements before recommending whether an AC-coupled retrofit or other configuration is appropriate.

Yes. A standalone battery can be charged from the grid and may suit a time-of-use tariff. Its value depends on the tariff, usable capacity, round-trip efficiency and your peak-period electricity use.

Only if the system includes suitable backup capability and circuits. Standard grid-connected batteries do not automatically provide whole-home backup, so this requirement must be designed in from the start.

Compatible chargers can follow measured export and vary their charging rate, subject to the charger's minimum power and the available solar surplus. We check equipment compatibility as part of the design.

That depends on the incoming supply, existing loads and network requirements. The assessment determines whether load management or further work is needed.

A safe, authorised cable route to a dedicated parking space is normally required. Flats, communal land and cross-pavement routes need additional permissions and may not be suitable.

It depends on installed cost, generation, the proportion used on site, avoided import prices, export income, maintenance and financing. We show the assumptions rather than presenting one payback period for every building.

The building and proposed mounting system need an appropriate structural assessment. The required level of investigation depends on the roof type, records, condition and system design.

Programme, access, isolations and working areas are planned with the site team. The practical approach depends on the building and its operating requirements.

Yes. Any available MCS documents, inverter details and monitoring records help us identify the system before arranging appropriate testing.

Compare similar months and weather conditions, check for inverter warnings and look for a sustained change. Send us the system size, postcode and monitoring screenshots if you are unsure whether a visit is justified.

Not every array does. Cleaning is more relevant where bird fouling, nearby trees, lichen or a shallow pitch prevents normal rainfall from clearing deposits.

It can be technically possible, but winter demand and consecutive low-generation days make storage and backup design critical. We assess the loads before saying whether it is practical.

A suitable hybrid system may limit grid import while the battery supports short demand peaks. The connection, loads and equipment controls must be assessed together.

Compatible systems can include controlled generator integration. The start conditions, changeover, fuel strategy, servicing and manual override must all be designed safely.