Can I have More Solar Panels? That was a question that was bugging me for several years now. In 2017 I had installed 20 295w panels on my rear south east facing roof and have been very pleased with the solar generation from them ( you can read about that installation here Are Solar Panels A Good Investment In The UK ). I have always been conscious however that in the late afternoon the sun moves around to the front of the house causing the back roof to move into the shade hence reducing the generation of electricity.
I have often wondered if I could install some more panels on the front of my garage roof which would capture the late afternoon and early evening sunshine.
Back in October last year I had a problem with my Solaredge Inverter which failed. The Company who fitted it in 2017 (Totnes Energy) no longer traded. I knew that Totnes Energy referred its old customers to Bloom Renewables so I approached them to fit a replacement inverter under the Solaredge warranty.
This was duly done and I decided to ask them if it was possible to add 4 more panels to my existing system without the need for a larger inverter. After some research by them with Solaredge it was confirmed that 4 additional panels could be added to my system. I then asked for a formal quotation which I later received and thought despite the cost for a limited return that I would go ahead and purchase the additional panels.
It was whilst reading the small print of their offer that I saw I was responsible for any planning issues and not the installer. I had been told when the panels had been fitted in 2017 that there was no need to apply for planning as it would be covered under permitted development rights.
I then paused my purchase whilst I researched what implications there were for me fitting these additional panels. Having received conflicting views I decided to book a 15 minute telephone consultation with a South Hams planning officer to establish the facts. There was a long delay before I could get an appointment and 15 minutes was going to cost £45. I booked the appointment and duly waited. I was called on the 14th December 2023 and having given full details when I booked the call the planning officer had researched thoroughly and had all the facts to hand.
The news was bad. I not only needed planning permission for the new panels but I also needed retrospective planning permission for the 20 panels on the back of the roof installed in 2017. Despite having been told I did not need it in 2017 apparently this advice was wrong. My estate when built in the 1990’s had condition put on the planning permission to the builders which effectively removed all permitted development rights on my property. I was told I would need to submit plans for a planning application for both installations.
I was now Mr. Grumpy of Ivybridge. Not only would I need to pay out £300 for the planning application but I would need an architect to draw up the plans for me.
It was then I had an inspirational thought. Back in 2017 I had plans drawn up for a boot room extension. I wondered if the architect still had my drawings which would save an awful lot of work.
I approached Mike McCloud MHM Design Ltd and luckily he still had the plans on his computer and for a very sensible fee he would amend the drawings and submit the application for me. Once again more delays as there is a period for public consultation and then several weeks delay before the application was considered.
It was not until the 26th March 2024 that I was granted planning for both sets of solar panels. I immediately got in touch with Bloom Renewables who were able to do another quotation, this time with some slightly better panels which were rated at 430w.
I decided to go ahead and the installation took place on Tuesday and Wednesday 23/24 April 2024. That was 6 months later than I expected due to the issues with planning permission!
I have to say all of the staff at Bloom Renewables have been extremely helpful, knowledgeable and professional in their dealings with me throughout this process. I am more than happy with the new panels and the in roof system I requested. I did not want the panels to sit on rails as the in roof trays are far more aesthetically pleasing on the eye when you approach the front of the property.
Can I have More Solar Panels? Here are some images of the installation.
The old tiles are removed ready for the in roof trays.
Extra support battens were laid in the roof before the trays were inserted
Then the panels are connected and inserted into the trays and the roofing finished.
And now I have 4 extra panels generating electricity in the late afternoons and early evenings to complement my existing system.
This image shows the extra panels in the Solaredge App.
Can I have More Solar Panels?
In my case yes I could. It was a much more complicated process than I expected due to South Hams Planning rules but I am really pleased I chose to do this properly. There are at least 5 other houses in my street with solar arrays fitted and none of them have applied for planning permission. Should I have just ignored the advice and played dumb until someone else complained? Well that is just not in me I am afraid. When we come to sell this house there will not be any complications with solicitors digging up the fact we had not been given permission and costing a fortune and delays as a result.
Was it economically a wise decision. In the short term probably not. The proposal suggest a 10 year payback period. However my 20 panels on the rear and Tesla Powerwall 2 have already paid me back for that investment so I am not really bothered how long this one will take.
I did it to maximise my generation opportunity which I have now done. However the icing on the cake was Bloom Renewables ability to negotiate my export limit upwards from its existing 2kWh to 5kWh which now means I stand a chance of earning much more from the energy increase I will now make back to the grid.
So in conclusion if you are looking at a solar panel project in the South West then please do give Bloom Renewables a ring. You just might be glad you did.
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