Real Installation
Outdoor Electrical Work
Weatherproof installations built to last
Real Installation
Three-Phase Distribution
Commercial-grade power for solar systems
Generate your own clean electricity -- earn from surplus energy -- charge your EV for free
MCS accredited -- NAPIT approved -- South West coverage
ENERGY PRICES ARE UP -- SOLAR PRICES ARE DOWN -- GENERATE YOUR OWN ELECTRICITY
A typical 4kW system (10 panels) generates 3,400-4,200 kWh per year in the South West -- covering 50-70% of an average household's annual usage of 3,700 kWh. At current grid rates of 24.5p/kWh, that represents £830-£1,030 of electricity you do not buy. Reduce grid dependency and protect yourself from future price rises -- UK electricity has increased 54% since 2021.
The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) pays you for every unit you export back to the grid. Rates vary from 4.1p/kWh (standard) to 15p/kWh on premium tariffs like Octopus Flux. Typical earnings: £150-£400 per year depending on system size and export tariff. MCS certification is mandatory for SEG eligibility -- all our installations are MCS certified.
Without a battery, self-consumption is typically 30-50%. With a 9.5kWh battery, self-consumption rises to 70-85%. Store surplus daytime generation for evening use when electricity costs 24.5p/kWh instead of exporting at 4-15p. Combined with time-of-use tariffs (Octopus Go at 7.5p overnight), your battery charges cheaply and discharges during peak hours -- maximising every kilowatt.
Combine solar with a Zappi EV charger and divert surplus generation directly to your car. A 4kW solar system can provide 2,000-3,000 free miles per year. At current fuel costs equivalent to 5p/mile vs 14p/mile for petrol, that is £180-£270 in free motoring annually. Complete solar-to-wheel integration -- zero fuel costs, zero carbon, zero dependence on forecourt prices.
NOT ALL SOLAR PANELS ARE EQUAL -- UNDERSTANDING THE TECHNOLOGY HELPS YOU MAKE THE RIGHT CHOICE
Cut from a single silicon crystal for maximum purity and efficiency. All panels we install are monocrystalline -- typically 20-22% efficiency. They perform better in low-light conditions and have a longer lifespan than polycrystalline alternatives. Recognisable by their uniform black appearance.
PERC technology adds a reflective layer behind the solar cell that captures light passing through without being absorbed on the first pass. This increases energy harvest by 5-12% compared to standard cells -- particularly effective in morning, evening, and overcast conditions common in Somerset. All modern panels we install use PERC or PERC+ technology.
Half-cut cells divide each solar cell into two, reducing resistive losses and improving shade tolerance. If a branch shadows one corner of a half-cut panel, only that section loses output -- the rest continues generating. Standard full-cell panels lose output across the entire string. Half-cut panels deliver 2-3% more annual yield and are now standard on all premium panels.
The latest cell technology now entering mainstream production. N-type cells have lower degradation rates (0.4% per year vs 0.55% for P-type), better temperature coefficient, and higher bifacial gains. Panels from JA Solar, Trina, and Canadian Solar now offer N-type options achieving 22%+ efficiency. We recommend these for customers seeking maximum long-term yield.
WE INSTALL TIER 1 PANELS AND INVERTERS FROM MANUFACTURERS WITH PROVEN UK TRACK RECORDS
World's largest panel manufacturer. DeepBlue 4.0 series: 415-440W per panel, 21.8% efficiency, half-cut PERC monocrystalline. 25-year product warranty, 30-year performance warranty. Tier 1 Bloomberg bankability rating. Our most-installed panel brand.
Vertex S+ series: 430-445W per panel, N-type TOPCon technology, 22.5% efficiency. Excellent shade tolerance with half-cut cells. 25-year product and performance warranty. Tier 1 rated. Strong UK distribution network for fast availability.
HiKu7 series: 400-430W per panel, half-cut mono-PERC. Established since 2001 with 80GW+ shipped globally. 12-year product warranty, 25-year performance warranty. Excellent price-to-performance ratio. Tier 1 Bloomberg rated.
String Inverter (SolarEdge, GoodWe, Solis) -- one central inverter for all panels. Cost-effective for unshaded roofs with consistent orientation. Micro-inverters (Enphase IQ8) -- one per panel. Best for complex roofs with multiple orientations or partial shading. Each panel operates independently. Hybrid inverter (GivEnergy, Fox ESS) -- combines solar inverter and battery management in one unit. Required if adding battery storage. We recommend the right type based on your roof geometry and shading analysis.
3-bed house (3,700 kWh/yr): 3-4kW system, 8-10 panels, £6,000-£8,000. 4-bed house (4,500 kWh/yr): 5-6kW system, 12-15 panels, £8,500-£11,000. Large house with EV (6,000+ kWh/yr): 6-8kW system, 15-20 panels, £11,000-£14,000. Commercial premises: 10-50kW+ systems, flat roof or ground mount, POA. We model your actual electricity usage and design the system to maximise self-consumption and ROI -- not just fill your roof with panels.
MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme) is the UK government-backed quality standard for renewable energy installations. MCS certification is mandatory for Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) payments -- without it, you cannot get paid for exported electricity. It is also required for any government grant eligibility. All DS Electrical solar installations are MCS certified, which means: independently audited installation standards, approved equipment from the MCS product register, proper commissioning and testing, and registered documentation that protects your investment.
Solar panels on domestic properties are usually permitted development and do not require planning permission, provided: panels do not protrude more than 200mm from the roof surface, no part of the installation is higher than the highest point of the roof (excluding the chimney), panels are not installed on a wall facing a highway, and the property is not in a conservation area or a listed building. For listed buildings and conservation areas, Listed Building Consent or planning permission is required. We check this during your free survey and handle applications where needed. Flat roofs: panels on A-frames must not exceed 1m above the roof plane and must be set back at least 1m from the edge.
Solar PV systems require minimal maintenance. Panels have no moving parts and are self-cleaning in most UK rainfall conditions. Recommended care: annual visual inspection for debris, bird nesting, or damage. Inverter check via monitoring app (we set this up). Professional clean every 2-3 years if panels are near trees or in agricultural areas. Inverter replacement at 10-15 years is the only significant maintenance cost -- budget £800-£1,500 depending on size. We offer an annual health check service for £95 covering visual inspection, generation review, and electrical safety check.
Flat roof mounting: ballasted A-frame systems that require no roof penetrations -- weighted down with concrete blocks on membrane roofs. ROI advantage: businesses use most electricity during daylight hours, achieving 60-80% self-consumption without batteries. Business rates relief: rooftop solar up to 50kW is exempt from business rates. Enhanced Capital Allowances: 100% first-year tax relief on qualifying solar equipment. Typical commercial payback: 4-6 years for businesses with daytime operations. We handle structural surveys, DNO applications (G99 for systems over 3.68kW per phase), and all MCS documentation.
INDICATIVE PRICES -- EXACT COST DEPENDS ON ROOF TYPE, ORIENTATION AND INVERTER CHOICE -- ALL PRICES INCLUDE SUPPLY, INSTALLATION, COMMISSIONING AND CERTIFICATION
ALL PRICES + VAT (0% VAT ON DOMESTIC SOLAR AND BATTERY INSTALLATIONS UNTIL MARCH 2027) -- FINANCE AVAILABLE
FROM SURVEY TO SAVING -- 4 SIMPLE STEPS
We assess your roof orientation, shading, structural condition and electricity usage to design the ideal system
Detailed written proposal with system design, expected generation, savings forecast and payback calculation
Our team installs your system cleanly and professionally. Most domestic installations complete in one day
We commission, test and register your system. DNO notification handled. You start generating from day one
The SEG requires energy suppliers to pay you for every unit of electricity you export to the grid. A 6kW system exporting 30% of generation earns approximately 200-400 per year on top of your direct savings.
We will be in touch within 2 hours to arrange your free roof survey and savings assessment
PARTNER PRODUCTS
Brands we install and trust. Backed by industry-leading warranties.
Complete solar + battery storage system. 9.5kWh battery, hybrid inverter, app monitoring. 12-year warranty. UK's fastest-growing energy brand.
From £5,500 installed
VIEW ON GIVENERGYPanel-level optimisation for maximum yield. Perfect for shaded roofs. 25-year inverter warranty. Industry-leading monitoring platform.
From £6,200 installed
VIEW ON SOLAREDGE13.5kWh home battery. Store solar energy for use at night. Backup power during outages. App-controlled. 10-year warranty.
From £7,800 installed
VIEW ON TESLAAll prices include standard installation. We earn a small commission on partner referrals at no extra cost to you.
// CREDENTIALS VERIFIED
GOVERNMENT ENDORSED · FULLY INSURED · INDEPENDENTLY VERIFIED
NAPIT Electrical
TrustMark
CHAS Accredited
City & Guilds
MCS Certified
Certifications & Standards
BS 7671:2018
18th Edition + Amd 2
COMPLIANT
Part P
Building Regulations
REGISTERED
£2M Insured
Public Liability Cover
COVERED
