Solar panels
We’ve installed solar panels on over 900 homes in partnership with Derby City Council, who provided over £6million in funding.
They have mainly been fitted to bungalows and ground floor flats to benefit elderly and disabled tenants. Some systems have been installed to blocks of flats with large roofs, with the electricity powering ground floor flats and communal areas.
Not all council properties are suitable to have solar panels fitted. Generally, we install them on south-facing roofs, as they receive the right amount of sunlight to work properly. We also consider the pitch of the roof and the roof construction to make sure it will be able to hold the weight of the panels.
| Total kWh generated | 1,989,214.7 |
|---|---|
| Carbon savings in tonnes | 779.8 |
| Equivalent cost of electricity | £596,764 |
Carbon savings calculated at 392g CO2 per kWh based on values and assumptions in this blog post. Cost of electricity based on average domestic electricity price of 30p per kWh.
Having solar panels installed on your roof does not necessarily mean that you will have no electricity bills. When your panels are producing electricity, the electricity produced by the panels will always be used first. Any extra electricity needed will be charged as normal from your supplier via your electricity meter.
If you want to save as much money as possible, take advantage of the free electricity produced by the panels:
- Try to use appliances, like washing machines, during daylight when solar panels are producing electricity
- Only use one major appliance at a time, so that you are taking full advantage of the free electricity
Any electricity that is not used will go back on to the national grid automatically through your electricity meter.
Solar panels require very little maintenance, from time-to-time contractors or our Repairs team may need to check or service them. Please make sure you do not block access to the inverter and generation meter or tamper with any of the equipment that has been installed. Only a qualified Solar PV trained electrician should work on the equipment installed.
If your home is fitted with Photovoltaic (PV) solar panels, you will have some electrical control equipment installed in the loft:
- Do not interfere with the electrical equipment.
- Do not switch off your solar PV panels at either of the isolation switches next to your fuse box or in the loft unless you are instructed to do so, or in an emergency.
- It is important that air can move freely around the control equipment. so never store items or boxes near it.
The panels and control equipment generate high voltage electricity that can be dangerous if interfered with.
The panels will switch off automatically if there is a power cut or the main electricity supply to the property is switched off. You do not need to turn the isolation switches back on.
The panels on the roof are fragile and damaged easily. Make sure anyone working on the roof, such as television aerial or satellite dish installers are aware of the risks. Only use registered, qualified installers as you may be liable for any damage they cause to the panels or equipment.
Please report any damage to the panels or equipment to Derby Homes as soon as you are aware of it. You can do this on MyAccount.