If your electricity meter could speak, what story would it tell?
Most likely, it would talk about rising bills, unpredictable use and the quiet hum of energy being used without much thought.
But these days, more homeowners are working towards a better way of powering their properties.
Solar panels generate electricity, yes. But they’re also the foundation for shifting control of your energy consumption. Now, it’s on you to decide how much you use, and when.
At Electrical Innovations, we install solar panels across the East Midlands and beyond. We get questions every day from homeowners curious about the process, often worried about disruption or unsure whether it’s worth it.
And the most common query of all is, how are solar panels installed?
As a result, we’ve put together this guide. It walks you through every step of the installation journey. Let’s start where every successful solar story begins, understanding the roof above your head.
What your roof isn’t telling you
Your roof probably looks similar to those of everyone else. Tiles, guttering and probably a bit of moss. That’s no problem at all when it comes to solar panels. However, instead of looking at your roof and never thinking about it again, try reframing your mindset. That right there is an empty investment opportunity. It’s one that, unless you live in a listed building or conservation area, doesn’t usually require planning permission.
Every step of the solar panel installation process starts here. Depending on its ability (load-bearing capacity) to support weight, its angle and where the sun hits, solar panels are more likely to be a good choice for your household.
South-facing roofs produce the most electricity because the sun moves through the sky in the south, so you get the maximum hours of direct sunlight here. East- and west-facing roofs can also work, just with a slightly different generation curve across the day. Even north-facing solar panels are possible. They just need a tailored design to be effective.
At this point, it’s also important to consider shade. Solar panels need sunlight, so the less shade on your roof, the better. Large nearby trees, chimneys and nearby buildings are the biggest offenders to watch out for.
How a professional solar panel site survey helps
Don’t worry, we’ll take care of those specifics for you. Simply give us a call for an obligation-free chat, and we’ll arrange a time to drop by.
Once you’re satisfied, we’ll conduct a detailed site survey before installing solar panels on your household roof. During this survey, we’ll check the roof’s pitch, direction and size, as well as its load-bearing capacity. A good solar panel should last at least 25 years, so the roof must be able to withstand all that weight for that long, regardless of the weather.
At this stage, we also discuss electrical infrastructure and review your existing setup. Some properties need an upgrade to handle the system safely. Others already have what’s needed, and you don’t need to make any changes. We’ll check the consumer unit, meter location and any energy storage plans.
At the end of all this, you receive a comprehensive proposal that includes the proposed layout, expected performance and an installation timeline. If you’re ready to proceed, just let us know. We’ll get you booked in as soon as possible. It’s incredible how much your roof has to tell you, eh?
What actually happens during installation
On installation day, our team arrives with everything – panels, mounting gear, inverters, wiring, scaffolding or ladders, protective equipment for our workers and tools. Here’s what will happen once they’re on-site:
Step 1: Preparation
The first step, of course, is the scaffolding. We need to have safe access to the roof throughout the process. It’ll stay in place for a few days, depending on the weather and the size of the solar panel array you’re having us install. Don’t worry, our team also uses all the proper safety gear, including harnesses where applicable. With extensive training and experience, we’re also completely safe to work with electrical devices.
We secure mounting rails to the roof, fixing them into the rafters through the tiles. This part is really important, and one of the many reasons to use a trusted solar panel installer. Done wrong, it can compromise the roof by letting water into your attic. Done right, it leaves a watertight finish that lasts as long as the system. Some mounting systems use alternate fixings, such as hooks, clamps, ballast or tile‐clamping systems.
Step 2: Solar panel installation
Once the mounts are in, we attach the solar panels. These clip securely into the rails in a pre-agreed layout. We’ll have discussed this with you beforehand as part of the design process. The goal is to maximise generation from the available roof space, while staying within system limits such as inverter capacity, shading constraints and grid connection rules.
Then we run wiring from each panel to an inverter, which we install indoors in the place you point out to us. The inverter converts the DC electricity generated by the panels into AC power you can use.
If you’re adding a solar storage battery, we install that too, often near the inverter. This stores excess electricity for use later, reducing the amount you draw from the grid at night. Chat to us for more information about the cost-saving benefits of these battery systems.
Step 3: Configuration and testing
We wire everything into your consumer unit and thoroughly test it until we’re satisfied that the work is complete. This includes insulation resistance, fault current levels, earth continuity, and several other tests specific to solar panels.
After everything checks out, we install a generation meter, notify your local Distribution Network Operator (DNO), and issue the required certification. This includes your Electrical Installation Certificate, Building Regulations compliance and any other documents needed for grid connection under G98 or G99 rules.
After that, your solar panels are in and fully operational. From start to finish, installation (on-site work) usually takes two to four days. The full process (site survey, design, permitting, DNO approval, scheduling, etc.) typically takes a few weeks.
Why DIY doesn’t usually mean saving more
Some people ask if they can fit solar panels themselves. In theory, yes. But let’s look again at what that involves, and you might change your mind. For each of the steps mentioned above, you need to have the following knowledge:
- First: roof access and structural knowledge. Fitting mounts involves working at heights, lifting heavy equipment and accurately determining the right places to drill location. Getting it wrong could crack your tiles or shift load into the wrong areas. That’s a risk to your home, while working at height without the proper safety equipment is a serious risk to your safety.
- Second: electrical work. Solar systems usually feed back into the mains. That makes them far more complex than off-grid systems. A mistake could lead to fire risk or electrocution. Regulations under Part P of the Building Regulations mean that any electrical work in residential dwellings must meet strict standards.
- Third: grid connection. The local Distribution Network Operator (DNO) requires notification and, in some cases, permission. Professional installers handle this. DIY systems, even if safe, may not get connected legally without paperwork.
There’s also warranty. Most manufacturers honour it when only qualified installers handle the system. That’s because poor workmanship often shortens the lifespan of a solar system. Panels, inverters and mounting systems work as a single unit. If any single part goes wrong, you lose performance. That can hardly be said to be an equipment malfunction.
We suggest going with a certified solar panel installer. That way, you get peace of mind that your system works and is safe from day one, and that if any problems do arise, you’re covered. It’s almost always more cost-effective to pay for the installation labour than to get it wrong by doing it yourself.
How can Electrical Innovations help?
Your electricity meter never lies. And with the seemingly endless cost-of-living crisis, it never seems to get kinder. But you can change the story it tells.
A well-installed solar panel system can bring years of predictable energy savings and help lower your carbon footprint, all without actually changing anything about how you live.
A good system starts with the right advice, followed by careful design and expert installation. And that’s where we come in.
Based in Derby, we install solar panel systems for homeowners across Derby, Nottingham and the wider East Midlands. It’s been our pleasure to help so many of our neighbours reduce their energy bills and become more self-sufficient during these challenging times.
We’re MCS certified, which means your installation meets national standards and qualifies for the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG), allowing you to get paid for any electricity you export to the grid.
If you’re ready to find out what your roof could really do, get in touch with us at Electrical Innovations for a free initial chat. We’ll walk you through it, one step at a time, and if you’re happy to proceed, we’ll get your solar panels installed in no time.
We look forward to hearing from you.
