Frequently Asked Questions

A typical 4kW residential solar panel system in the North East costs between £5,000 and £7,000 including installation and VAT at 0%. Larger systems of 6-8kW range from £7,000 to £10,000. Prices vary depending on panel brand, roof complexity and whether you add battery storage. ALPS Electrical provides free, no-obligation quotes with a full breakdown of costs and projected savings.

Most UK homes need between 8 and 16 solar panels depending on electricity usage, roof size and orientation. A typical 3-bedroom semi-detached house uses around 3,500kWh per year, which can be met by a 4kW system (8-10 panels). Larger detached properties with electric vehicles or heat pumps may need 6-10kW systems (14-24 panels). We conduct a detailed survey to recommend the optimal system size for your specific needs.

Yes, solar panels work effectively in the North East. While the region receives less sunshine than the south of England, modern high-efficiency panels like the Jinko Tiger Neo and JA Solar panels we install generate significant electricity even on overcast days. The North East receives approximately 1,100-1,200 kWh/m² of solar irradiance annually. Winter output is lower but panels still generate electricity — pairing with battery storage ensures you maximise every unit generated.

A standard residential solar panel installation typically takes 1-2 days. If you are adding battery storage, this may extend to 2-3 days. Commercial installations can take 1-2 weeks depending on system size. The full process from survey to switch-on usually takes 4-8 weeks, including the DNO notification or G99 application if required.

Most domestic solar panel installations fall under Permitted Development and do not require planning permission. However, you will need to apply if your property is listed, in a conservation area, or if panels will protrude more than 200mm from the roof surface. Ground-mounted arrays over 9m² also require permission. ALPS Electrical handles all planning considerations and will advise you during the survey.

The typical payback period for solar panels in the UK is 6-9 years based on current electricity prices. With battery storage enabling you to use more of your own generated electricity, payback can be faster. After the payback period, you enjoy free electricity for the remaining 20+ years of the panel warranty. Factors affecting payback include system size, electricity usage patterns, export tariff rates and whether you have an EV or heat pump.

Solar panels remain an excellent investment in 2026. With 0% VAT on residential solar, electricity prices remaining significantly higher than pre-2022 levels, and panel efficiency continuing to improve, the financial case is strong. A typical system saves £800-£1,200 per year on electricity bills, with additional income from export tariffs. Factor in rising electricity prices and the payback period continues to shorten.

We install premium tier-1 solar panels including Jinko Tiger Neo, JA Solar and Aiko. For inverters, we are approved installers for FOX ESS, Solis, SolarEdge, GivEnergy and Sigenergy. We select the best combination for each installation based on roof layout, shading, budget and performance requirements. All brands we use come with manufacturer warranties of 25-30 years on panels.

Yes, we can arrange finance options to spread the cost of your solar installation. Finance is subject to status and terms. Contact us for current finance rates and options. Many customers find that monthly finance payments are less than their previous electricity bills, making solar effectively cash-positive from day one.

Solar panels require minimal maintenance. An annual visual inspection and occasional cleaning (if panels become dirty from bird droppings, pollen or tree sap) is usually sufficient. Inverters may need replacement after 10-15 years. We offer maintenance packages including panel cleaning, system health checks, inverter diagnostics and bird proofing. We also service systems installed by other companies.

Battery storage costs in the UK range from £2,500 for a small 5kWh unit to £12,000+ for premium systems like the Tesla Powerwall 3 (13.5kWh). A mid-range system like the GivEnergy Gen 3 with 9.5kWh storage typically costs £4,000-£6,000. Prices include installation and are subject to 0% VAT when installed alongside or added to an existing solar panel system.

Yes, battery-only installations are increasingly popular. By charging your battery overnight on cheap tariffs like Octopus Go (7.5p/kWh) and using that stored energy during the day when rates are 24p+/kWh, you can save hundreds of pounds per year. Our Fox Cube battery-only installation video on YouTube demonstrates the savings potential in detail.

Both are excellent systems. The Tesla Powerwall 3 has a built-in inverter (simplifying installation), 13.5kWh capacity, backup gateway capability and the polished Tesla app. GivEnergy Gen 3 offers more flexible sizing, a strong community following, open API access and typically lower cost per kWh of storage. We install both and recommend based on your specific needs, budget and whether you want full home backup capability.

Modern lithium-ion solar batteries typically last 10-15 years, or 6,000-10,000 charge cycles. Tesla Powerwall comes with a 10-year warranty. GivEnergy offers a 12-year warranty on Gen 3 batteries. After warranty expiry, batteries continue to work but with gradually reduced capacity, similar to a mobile phone battery. Most batteries retain 70-80% of original capacity after 10 years.

A hybrid (DC-coupled) battery connects directly to the solar panels via a hybrid inverter, converting energy once and achieving higher efficiency (typically 95-97%). An AC-coupled battery connects to your home electrical circuit and works independently of the solar inverter, making it easier to retrofit to existing solar installations. We install both types and recommend based on whether this is a new installation or an addition to an existing system.

It depends on the battery system. The Tesla Powerwall with Backup Gateway can provide whole-home backup during grid outages. The Sigenergy system also offers full home backup. Most other batteries (GivEnergy, FOX ESS) provide backup to selected essential circuits only. Full home backup requires additional hardware and typically costs more. We can design a system to meet your specific backup requirements.

Time-of-use tariff arbitrage means charging your battery when electricity is cheapest (typically overnight at 7-10p/kWh on tariffs like Octopus Go, Intelligent Go or Flux) and using that stored energy during expensive peak periods (24-35p/kWh). This can save £300-£600 per year even without solar panels. With solar panels as well, savings can exceed £1,000 per year.

A G99 application to Northern Powergrid is required when your total inverter capacity exceeds 3.68kW per phase (single-phase) or 11.04kW (three-phase). Most residential battery and solar systems require a G99 application. The process takes 4-12 weeks and we handle the entire application on your behalf at no additional charge. Systems under 3.68kW only require a simpler G98 notification.

A typical home EV charger installation costs between £800 and £1,200 depending on the charger model and cable run distance. This includes the charger unit, all cabling, installation and commissioning. The OZEV grant covers up to £350, bringing the net cost down to £450-£850. Longer cable runs or consumer unit upgrades (if required) may add to the cost.

The OZEV (Office for Zero Emission Vehicles) grant provides up to £350 towards the cost of installing a home EV charger. To qualify, you need an eligible electric vehicle, off-street parking, and the charger must be installed by an OZEV-approved installer like ALPS Electrical. We handle the entire grant application process — you simply pay the reduced price.

The best EV charger depends on your priorities. The MyEnergi Zappi is ideal if you have solar panels as it can divert excess solar energy to your car. The Ohme Home Pro offers the best smart tariff integration for cheap overnight charging. The Tesla Wall Connector is the premium choice for Tesla owners. The Wallbox Pulsar Max offers excellent build quality and smart features. We can advise on the best charger for your specific setup.

Yes, and this is one of the most satisfying aspects of having both solar and an EV. A MyEnergi Zappi charger can automatically divert excess solar energy to your car, giving you genuinely free motoring. On a sunny day, a 4kW solar system can add 15-20 miles of range per hour of charging. Combined with battery storage, you can store daytime solar energy and charge your car overnight from the battery.

A tethered charger has the cable permanently attached (like a petrol pump), so you simply grab the cable and plug in. An untethered (socketed) charger requires you to use your own cable. Tethered is more convenient for home use. Most chargers are available in both options. The Zappi, Ohme Home Pro and Wallbox Pulsar Max are all available tethered.

Yes, we install commercial EV chargers for businesses, workplaces, car parks and hospitality venues. The Workplace Charging Scheme provides grants of up to £350 per socket (up to 40 sockets) for businesses. We handle the entire process from site survey and electrical assessment through to installation, commissioning and grant applications.

A standard home EV charger installation takes 2-4 hours. If a consumer unit upgrade is also required, this may extend to a full day. Complex installations with long cable runs (we have handled up to 65 metres) may take longer. We always provide a clear timeline during the survey and keep you informed throughout.

No. By law, EV charger installation must be carried out by a qualified electrician registered with a competent person scheme such as NAPIT. This ensures the installation meets BS 7671 wiring regulations and Part P building regulations. DIY installation would also void the charger warranty and make you ineligible for the OZEV grant. Always use a registered installer like ALPS Electrical.

An EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report) is a comprehensive inspection of your property electrical wiring, consumer unit, earthing and bonding. Landlords are legally required to have an EICR every 5 years for rented properties. Homeowners are recommended to have one every 10 years or when buying a property. An EICR identifies any defects that could pose a safety risk.

A consumer unit (fuse board) upgrade typically costs between £450 and £800 depending on the number of circuits and complexity. This includes a new metal consumer unit with RCBO protection on every circuit, all reconnection work, minor earthing and bonding upgrades if needed, and an EICR on completion. A modern consumer unit is often required before installing EV chargers or solar panels.

The recommended intervals are: rental properties every 5 years (legal requirement), homeowner-occupied properties every 10 years, commercial properties every 5 years, and swimming pools/special locations annually. You should also have electrics tested when buying a property, after any flood or fire damage, or if you notice warning signs like flickering lights, burning smells or frequently tripping breakers.

We prioritise urgent electrical safety issues during our working hours (Monday to Friday 8am-6pm, Saturday 9am-2pm). If you have a complete power loss, burning smell, or other electrical emergency outside hours, call your electricity distributor (Northern Powergrid: 105) for supply issues, or contact us and we will get back to you as soon as possible the next working day.

We cover the whole of Teesside (Middlesbrough, Stockton, Darlington, Hartlepool, Redcar, Yarm, Thornaby, Eaglescliffe, Billingham, Ingleby Barwick, Guisborough), North East England (Durham, Sunderland, Newcastle, Gateshead), North Yorkshire (Northallerton, Stokesley, Thirsk, Ripon, Richmond, York), and parts of West and South Yorkshire.

Yes. ALPS Electrical is registered with NAPIT as a Registered Competent Person for electrical work. This means we are authorised to self-certify notifiable electrical work under Part P of the Building Regulations without needing to involve Building Control. All our work is fully compliant and certified.

A Registered Competent Person is an electrician or electrical firm registered with a government-approved scheme (such as NAPIT) to self-certify that their electrical work complies with Building Regulations Part P. This gives you the assurance that the electrician has been assessed, is regularly audited, and their work meets the required safety standards.

Yes, we install a range of smart home electrical systems including smart lighting control, automated blinds wiring, multi-room audio preparation, outdoor lighting and security lighting, USB charging sockets, and whole-home surge protection. We also integrate EV chargers and solar/battery systems with smart home platforms for unified energy management.