This is the type of electricity that powers your home and appliances. It’s what your solar system provides after the inverter does its job.

A type of thin-film solar cell made from non-crystalline silicon. These panels are flexible and work well in low light, though they might be a little less efficient than their crystalline cousins.

Short for amperes, this measures the flow of electricity. More amps mean more electricity moving through your system.

The direction your solar panels face. For maximum sunshine (and savings), they should be angled towards the south in the UK. But panels also work ok when facing East and West. Just avoid North facing.

This is the minimum level of electricity your home needs, even when you’re not using much – like to keep your fridge running. Solar helps reduce what you take from the grid for this.

How your solar system’s battery connects to the rest of the setup. A well-coupled system means you can store and use the energy more effectively.

This is your home’s energy piggy bank. Battery storage allows you to store any extra energy your solar panels produce during the day, so you can use it when the sun’s gone down, saving you even more money. If you opt for a smart tariff you can even charge them overnight at a cheaper rate and then use that electric during the day.

These panels are double-sided, capturing sunlight on both the front and the back. So, even the light reflected off the roof or ground helps power your home.

A greenhouse gas that we all need to cut down on. Keeping CO2 levels low helps the planet and your pocket.

This is the total amount of greenhouse gases – like carbon dioxide – that your household activities produce. Solar power helps shrink your footprint, meaning a greener, cleaner planet for everyone.

When your solar panels produce more power than your inverter can handle, the extra energy is “clipped” or lost. Not ideal, but it’s a sign your system is working well in sunny conditions.

This refers to any solar panel or thermal panel that collects energy from the sun and turns it into power for your home.

The final step in getting your solar system up and running. Once it’s commissioned, you’re good to go!

A type of solar panel made from silicon crystals. These are popular because they’re efficient and durable. There are two main types mono-crystaline and poly-crystaline.

This is the flow of electric charge. Your solar panels produce a direct current (DC), which the inverter turns into alternating current (AC) for your home.

The type of electricity produced by your solar panels. It needs to be converted to AC before it can power your home.

A small device attached to each solar panel to get the most out of it by adjusting the voltage. Great for homes where parts of the roof might be shaded at times.

Over time, solar panels produce a little less electricity each year. This gradual loss is called degradation, but don’t worry – modern panels still work well for decades.

A way to calculate the overall efficiency of your solar system, factoring in losses from the inverter, wiring, and other components.

The people who get electricity from the national grid to your home. They keep the cables and substations in top shape, fix power cuts, and handle new connections. Think of them as the electricity delivery service. There are 7 DNOs in the UK operating across 14 districts.

ECO4 is the latest phase of the UK government's Energy Company Obligation scheme, which mandates energy suppliers to fund energy efficiency improvements in homes. The goal is to reduce carbon emissions, tackle fuel poverty, and improve energy efficiency. ECO4 provides grants for insulation, heating upgrades, and other energy-saving measures, particularly for low-income households and vulnerable individuals. By making homes more energy-efficient, ECO4 helps to lower energy bills and create warmer, more comfortable living environments.

This is the dream – producing and storing enough of your own electricity so you don’t need to rely on the national grid. It gives you control over your energy use, and potentially cuts your bills to nearly nothing.

A certificate that shows how energy-efficient your home is. Installing solar can improve your rating and potentially boost your property’s value.

This consumer body checks if installers are providing the right performance estimates, running costs and details of government incentive. EPVS members have been through a rigorous onboading process and are regularly audited.

An estimate of how much electricity your solar panels will produce each year, depending on factors like panel efficiency and the amount of sunlight your home gets.

The rate at which you’re paid for sending surplus electricity from your solar panels back to the national grid. Normally quoted as pence per kWh.

A now-closed UK government scheme where homeowners were paid for the excess solar energy they sent back to the grid. If you’re still on it, lucky you! But for new customers, this is no longer available.

These are regulations that apply to connecting renewable energy systems like solar to the national grid in the UK. G98 is for smaller systems, while G99 applies to larger setups. At dwellow we handle the application process as part of our fixed price.

This is the national electricity network that powers homes across the UK. Solar panels help you use less from the grid, meaning lower bills for you.

Solar panels that are installed on the ground instead of your roof. They’re great for homes with a lot of land and allow more flexibility with positioning.

The HIES Consumer Code is a comprehensive set of guidelines and standards designed to protect consumers who purchase renewable energy and energy efficiency products. The code is established by the Home Insulation & Energy Systems Quality Assured Contractors Scheme (HIES) and covers various aspects of the customer journey, ensuring transparency, fairness, and high-quality service.

A clever inverter that handles both solar power and battery storage. It makes switching between using solar, stored energy, or grid power seamless.

The angle of your solar panels. Getting the right tilt ensures your panels soak up the most sunlight possible.

These are solar panels that are built directly into your roof, blending seamlessly with your roof tiles for a sleek, low-profile look. They do the same job as regular solar panels—turning sunlight into electricity—but they look much more discreet. Perfect if you want all the benefits of solar power without changing the appearance of your home too much! Plus, they can even replace traditional roofing materials, offering protection for your home while generating energy.

Solar panels make DC (Direct Current) electricity, but your home needs AC (Alternating Current) to run things like your kettle or TV. An inverter is the go-between, making sure your home gets the right type of power.

A bit of energy is lost when the inverter converts DC to AC. These losses are small but worth noting when calculating your system’s total output.

The joule (symbol: J) is a unit of energy in the International System of Units (SI). It is named after the English physicist James Prescott Joule. The joule is a measure of the amount of work done or energy transferred.

The joule is commonly used to measure the energy output of heating systems, such as boilers and heat pumps. For instance, the amount of energy required to heat water in a domestic hot water system is often measured in joules.

Converting to kWh: One kilowatt-hour is equal to 3.6 million joules (3.6 MJ). This is a standard unit for measuring electrical energy consumption.

Practical example: A typical UK household might use about 3,600 kWh of electrical energy per year, which is equivalent to approximately 13 billion joules (13 GJ).

Where all the wiring from your solar panels comes together before heading to the inverter. Think of it as the central hub for your solar power.

A measure of power. Your heat pump’s size is usually measured in kW – think of it as the heating power it can deliver.

A kilowatt-hour (kWh) is a unit of energy used to measure electricity consumption. It’s the amount of energy you use if a 1,000-watt appliance runs for one hour. The more kWh your solar panels produce, the less you’ll need to buy from the grid.

Electricity Billing: Energy companies bill you based on how many kWh you use.
Household Appliances: For example, a 100-watt light bulb left on for 10 hours uses 1 kWh.
Conversions: 1 kWh equals 3.6 million joules.
Energy Efficiency: Using kWh helps you track and reduce your energy use, saving money and cutting your carbon footprint.

The maximum power your solar panels can produce under ideal conditions. It’s a handy way to compare the size of different solar setups.

A warranty that guarantees your solar panels won’t lose more than a certain amount of performance each year.

This is a clever technology used in solar inverters and charge controllers to make sure your solar panels are always working at their best. MPPT helps find the “sweet spot” where your panels can produce the most electricity, even when conditions aren’t perfect—like when it’s cloudy or when the temperature changes. In simple terms, it squeezes the most energy possible from your panels, making your system more efficient and saving you more money!

The Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) is a quality assurance programme that certifies microgeneration technologies used to produce electricity and heat from renewable sources. It ensures products and installers meet high standards.

‍Certification: MCS certifies products like solar panels, wind turbines, and heat pumps, ensuring they meet rigorous standards.
‍Installer Accreditation: Installers must be MCS certified to ensure they are competent and comply with industry best practices.
‍Consumer Confidence: MCS certification gives you confidence that the products and installers are reliable and effective.
‍Eligibility for Incentives: Only MCS-certified products and installations qualify for government incentives like the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS)

MCS helps ensure you’re getting quality products and services for your renewable energy needs.

Instead of one big inverter for all your solar panels, a micro inverter is installed on each panel individually. This setup works well if parts of your roof get shaded during the day.

A way of measuring battery capacity. The more mAh your solar battery has, the longer it can store energy for your home.

A device that adjusts the power from each solar panel individually, helping to overcome issues like shading and ensure maximum efficiency.

A type of solar panel made from a single silicon crystal. These panels are highly efficient and have a sleek, black appearance.

The expected temperature of your solar panel cells under normal operating conditions. The lower the NOCT, the better your panels will perform.

This refers to the typical energy usage patterns in your home, depending on how many people live there and how energy is used throughout the day.

Ofgem (Office of Gas and Electricity Markets) is the UK government regulator for the electricity and gas markets. It ensures that energy companies treat customers fairly and promote competition, while also overseeing the transition to greener energy sources.

‍Regulation: Ofgem regulates the energy companies to ensure they operate fairly and transparently, protecting consumers’ interests.
‍Consumer Protection: They handle complaints and enforce regulations to make sure energy companies provide reliable and affordable services.
‍Market Competition: Ofgem promotes competition among energy suppliers to keep prices fair and improve service quality.
‍Sustainability: They work to ensure the UK’s energy system is sustainable, supporting initiatives to reduce carbon emissions and integrate renewable energy sources.
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Ofgem is your watchdog, ensuring a fair, competitive, and green energy market.

Living off-grid means your home isn’t connected to the national grid. With enough solar panels and battery storage, you could be entirely self-sufficient – though most people stay connected for backup.

The maximum voltage your solar panels produce when no current is flowing. It’s a factor when designing your solar system.

Some energy is lost when using power optimizers, but they’re still a great way to boost overall performance, especially in tricky setups.

The direction your solar panels face. South-facing is ideal for the UK to catch the most sun.

The amount of time it’ll take for the savings on your energy bills to cover the cost of installing solar panels.

The building blocks of your solar panels. These cells are the reason your panels can turn sunshine into electricity. Think of them as tiny, powerful transformers on your roof.

A group of PV cells working together in one solar panel to generate electricity.

This is the amount of sunlight your solar panels need to generate their maximum electricity. In the UK, we get about 4 peak sun hours per day on average – so even on a cloudy day, your panels are still working.

A guarantee that your solar panels will still produce a certain amount of electricity after a set number of years.

The steepness of your roof. It affects how much sunlight your solar panels will get throughout the day.

A type of solar panel made from multiple silicon crystals. They’re a bit less efficient than mono-crystalline panels but more affordable.

The rate at which your solar panels produce electricity, measured in watts (W) or kilowatts (kW).

A warranty that covers the materials and workmanship of your solar panels for a set number of years.

The system used to mount solar panels on your roof. It keeps them secure and at the right angle for capturing sunlight.

The maximum amount of electricity your solar panels can produce under perfect conditions.

Energy that comes from natural sources that don’t run out – like the sun, wind, and heat from the ground or air. Good for your wallet and the planet.

A UK government scheme that paid homeowners for generating renewable heat, like with solar thermal panels. It’s now closed for new applicants.

A forecast of how much your solar system will save you in energy bills over the next 20 years.

How quickly you’ll earn back the money you spent on your solar system through energy savings.

Solar panels installed directly onto your roof – the most common setup for UK homes.

The amount of electricity your home uses directly from your solar panels, rather than exporting it to the grid.

How much shading affects your solar panels’ output. Less shade means more electricity for your home. A value of 1 means there is no shade on your solar panels and 0 means they are in full shade.

A technique used to design your solar system around any potential shading throughout the day.

Energy lost when parts of your solar panels are shaded by trees, buildings, or other obstructions.

A solar panel design where cells overlap like roof shingles, giving your system a sleeker look.

A type of electricity supply used in most UK homes. Your inverter needs to match this to power your home properly.

A digital meter that shows your energy usage in real-time. It helps you keep track and save on your bills. It also means you (and your utility company) don't need to read it very often as your usage is automatically submitted for you.

Replacing the Feed-in Tariff, SEG pays you for the extra energy your solar panels export to the grid. Another way to earn back from your investment in solar, all while helping others.

Fancy term for more than one solar panel working together. A bigger array means more energy for your home.

A large array of solar panels, often found in solar farms. Not something you’d find in most back gardens, but if you have a field or large unused open space they could be a good option!

The amount of sunlight your home gets. More irradiation means more potential energy for your solar panels to capture.

A measure of how well solar panels would perform on your property, based on factors like orientation, shading, and roof space.

Solar photovoltaic (or Solar PV) are panels that convert sunlight into electricity, which can be used to power your home and heating system. A bright idea for saving energy.

A system that uses sunlight to heat water for your home, rather than generating electricity.

A system that moves your solar panels to follow the sun, helping them capture more energy throughout the day.

The part of your solar system that stores excess energy so you can use it when the sun isn’t shining.

An inverter that connects a string of solar panels. If one panel gets shaded, it can affect the performance of the whole string.

A chart that shows the sun’s path across the sky at different times of the year, helping to plan the best setup for your solar panels.

The total amount of electricity your solar system produces.

All the small energy losses in your system from things like inverter efficiency, wiring, and shading.

How much your solar panels’ efficiency drops as they get hotter. Cooler panels generally perform better.

A type of solar panel that’s lightweight and flexible. They’re less efficient but work well in low light and cloudy conditions.

A type of electricity supply typically used in commercial or larger properties. Some inverters are designed to work with this type of supply.

A tariff that charges different rates for electricity depending on the time of day. Using your solar energy during peak times can help you avoid higher costs.

The typical voltage that your solar system operates at.

The highest voltage your solar panels can produce when they’re not connected to a load.

The force that pushes electricity through your system. It’s like the pressure in a water pipe – the higher the voltage, the more electricity can flow.

A slight reduction in voltage as electricity travels through wires. Keeping wiring short and using high-quality materials helps minimise this.

The expected operating voltage of your solar system. It helps ensure everything runs smoothly.

A unit for measuring voltage, or electrical pressure. Your solar system needs the right voltage to work efficiently.

A measure of power. The higher the wattage, the more electricity is being used or produced.

The maximum power your solar panels can produce under ideal sunlight conditions.