Free Solar Panels in Ceredigion Wales
Thinking about installing solar panels in Ceredigion, Wales? Great choice! Ceredigion is not just known for its stunning coastline and beautiful landscapes; it’s also perfect for solar energy. In this guide, we’ll show you why solar panels are a smart investment in Ceredigion, what you need to know before you install them, and tips to get the most from your solar panels.
Why get Solar Panels in Ceredigion?
Firstly, why install solar panels in Ceredigion? The answer is simple – Ceredigion receives an average of 1,400 hours of sunshine per year, which is more than enough to power your home with solar energy. By installing solar panels, you can significantly reduce your energy bills by generating your own electricity off the grid.
Now, before you rush out to install solar panels, there are a few things you need to know. Firstly, you need to make sure your roof is suitable for solar panel installation. A south-facing roof is ideal, as it receives the most sunlight throughout the day. However, don’t worry if your roof faces another direction – solar panels can still be installed on a west or east-facing roof, although they will produce slightly less energy.
Another thing to consider is the size of your solar panel system. This will depend on your energy needs and the amount of roof space available. A larger system will generate more energy but will also be more expensive to install. However, you may be eligible for Eco Energy incentives such as the ECO 4 scheme (more details below).
How do I find a quality installer in Ceredigion?
When choosing a solar panel installer, it’s important to do your research and choose a reputable company. Look for installers who are certified by the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) and have experience installing solar panels in Ceredigion. You should also ask for references and check online reviews to ensure that you’re getting a quality installation.
Once your solar panels are installed, there are a few tips to help you get the most out of them. Firstly, make sure they are cleaned regularly to ensure maximum efficiency. Secondly, consider investing in a battery storage system, which will allow you to store excess energy generated during the day and use it at night when the sun isn’t shining. Finally, be mindful of your energy usage and try to use appliances during daylight hours when your solar panels are generating the most energy.
Reducing Energy Bills
One of the most significant benefits of solar panels is the reduction in energy bills. Ceredigion residents are taking advantage of solar power to lower their electricity costs. Solar panels produce energy that can be used to power household appliances, lights, and heating systems. This means less reliance on the grid and more savings on monthly energy bills.
Charging Electric Vehicles
Many residents of Ceredigion are using solar panels to charge their electric vehicles (EVs). By installing solar panels on their homes, they can generate clean, renewable energy to power their cars. This not only reduces their carbon footprint but also saves money on fuel costs. Imagine driving around the beautiful landscapes of Ceredigion knowing that your car is powered by the sun!
Storing Excess Energy
In Ceredigion, many households are also investing in solar batteries to store excess energy generated by their solar panels. This stored energy can be used during cloudy days or at night, ensuring a continuous supply of electricity. With solar batteries, residents can maximize their use of solar power and further decrease their dependency on traditional energy sources.
Installing solar panels in Ceredigion is a great investment that can save you money on your energy bills and reduce your carbon footprint. With plenty of sunshine throughout the year and Eco Energy incentives available, there’s never been a better time to switch to solar energy. Just remember to choose a reputable installer and take care of your solar panels to ensure they continue to produce energy for years to come.
So what are ECO4 Projects, and how can the people of Ceredigion benefit from them?
This is part of a government scheme called ECO, this stands for Energy Company Obligation, it has been running since 2013 and previously there was a similar scheme in place called warm front which ran from 2002. There has also been ECO3 and the natural progression of that is ECO4 which a scheme created by the UK government designed to support households on low incomes who have homes that are not energy efficient.
Okay, so what is it?
This an obligation the utility companies have to meet through carbon savings (carbon saved by energy saving measures being installed in houses), they are set yearly.
Previously we were in ECO3 which was designed to to run till 2022. ECO4 is the next stage of the scheme and is set to run until 2026.
Why is it free for the general public?
This was brought about because of fuel poverty and in some instances where people could not afford to put their in-efficient heating on in their houses, there have been instances of illness due to the cold weather so the scheme was brought in to prevent this.
When does it end?
The utilities companies have an obligation to meet which is called Energy Company Obligation the scheme is to run till 2026. However, due to the nature of the scheme, and the fact that energy companies are trying to meet their obligations, it stands to reason that if they meet their quota half way through a year, they are unlikely to keep providing free solar panels, free boilers and insulation for everybody. So don’t waste time, find out if you are eligible today! Contact us.
How does the ECO4 scheme work?
According to OFGEM: “ECO4 will be a four-year scheme and is intended to run from 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2026. The main objective of ECO4 is to improve the least energy efficient housing stock occupied by low income and vulnerable households. One route that can be used to identify these households is ‘ECO4 Flexibility’ (ECO4 Flex)”
– I’ll discuss How ECO4 works so this consists of several routes that allow our customers to qualify, quite recently this has been broadened quite significantly meaning a lot more people can benefit from the energy saving measures.
ECO 4 consists of several routes, the ones we focus on are:
Route 1:
Earnings of under £31k before tax:
Proof needed:
- 3 months wage slips, or self assessment
- 3 months bank statements
Route 3:
Long-term health issues regardless of income:
- – cardiovascular
- – respiratory
- – limited mobility
- – immunosuppression
This will be proven via a doctors referral letter.
Benefits Route:
- – Child tax credit
- – Child benefits
- – Housing benefits
- – Income support
- – Income related employment support allowance
- – Income based job seekers allowance
- – Pension credit guarantee credit
- – Working tax credit
- – Pension credit savings credit
- – Universal credit
- – Working Tax Credit
One of the key differences between ECO3 and ECO4 is that ECO4 only consists of full projects, so this means if you qualify you could get Solar Panels, Loft Insulation, Wall Insulation, New Radiators and to top it off an Air Source Heat Pump to work alongside the Solar Panels and the Radiators to generate heat. This is all 100% free to the customer, let me be clear it will not be added to your bill in any way, it’s not interest free credit or anything like that, for the end customer it is 100% Free!
Who is eligible?
Eligibility is down to either being on an eligible benefit (please see our below) or living in an area that has available Funding
OK, how do I find out if I’m eligible?
We always suggest just reaching out to us and asking, we are happy to help, as a rough guide please see details below that will help you check if you’re eligible or not:
Essentially there are 3 questions that will let you know if you qualify:
1. Benefits or Earnings:
Benefits – are you claiming any? (inclusive of Pension Credits, Tax Credits or Child Benefits)
Or you are not claiming any benefits but you are earning less than £31k.
2. Location:
Are you are living in:
- Anglesey
- Ceredigion
- Conwy
- Denbighshire
- Gwynedd
- Pembrokeshire
- Powys
3. How do you currently heat your home? – Are you are using electric, oil, solid fuel or LPG to heat your house
If you answer yes to the above – we can potentially install a full heating project that will consist of:
Full Heating System – including:
- Air Source Heat Pump with Radiators & Smart Controls – (we can take out old heating systems and replace with our new systems)
- Wall Insulation – If you have solid walls or granite stone we can install new eco-friendly wall insulation and will ensure this is fully plastered (worth a mention, this is fully covered by Trustmark meaning it is endorsed for quality!)
- Cavity Wall Insulation
- Attic room insulation – we can insulate the slopes and skim the gables and walls
- Loft Insulation
- Solar Panels (We will install 8 – 10 panels depending on the survey, and also include a hybrid invertor(Hybrid inverter’s help you store the power from the solar panels in a battery)
How long will the installer take to come?
After we confirm your eligibility:
- We will contact you via phone, text or email
- We will arrange a free energy survey which takes around 1 hour
- We will explain time-lines, and the process of the installation will be fully explained upon completion of successful survey
- We will then arrange an install date
- Generally the install is arranged between 1-2 weeks
So what’s next? If you claim one of the above benefits, Contact us to Claim Your Free Energy Assessment today!
Hopefully that answers any questions you have, if you are still unsure please feel free to call me personally on my number:
07715 298 983, if I’m engaged please leave a message as we’re receiving a lot of interest in these schemes at the moment!
Thanks & Stay Warm!
Chief Energy Expert