Solar PV and Battery Storage Consultants
affordable solutions
spread the cost
Solar PV systems are modular and scalable. This allows us to fit the correct size system for your needs, without adding to the cost.
Bambu purpose is to design, supply and install high quality solar PV systems that meet the energy use needs and habits of the customer. A solar PV system offering no savings to your energy bills is of no use to anyone. This is why we have perfected our process to ensure we approach each project the right way. We are MCS certified and comply with industry leading consumer codes to ensure your road to solar is as simple as 1 2 3.
The process begins with the most abundant source of energy in our solar system: the sun.
Solar panels, made up of multiple photovoltaic cells, are strategically placed on your roof to capture the most sunlight. These cells are typically composed of semiconductor materials, such as silicon, that have unique properties allowing them to convert sunlight into electricity. Solar PV cells don't require direct sunlight to generate electricity and can even work on a cloudy day. However, the stronger the sunshines, the more electricity is generated.
When sunlight, which is composed of tiny packets of energy called photons, strikes the solar panels, a fascinating interaction occurs. The photons are absorbed by the semiconductor material within the solar cells, causing electrons to become energised and freeing them from their usual positions.
The energised electrons, now in motion, create an electrical current. This movement of electrons generates direct current (DC) electricity. However, most of our electrical appliances and the grid itself use alternating current (AC) electricity. To make the electricity compatible, an inverter is employed.
The inverter, a critical component of any solar PV system, transforms the DC electricity into the AC electricity commonly used in our homes. This conversion process ensures that the electricity generated by your solar panels can seamlessly power your appliances and be integrated with the grid.
The AC electricity produced by your solar PV system can be used to power your home in real-time. Any excess electricity generated is typically fed back into the grid, depending on the specifics of your solar system setup. To maximise efficiency and cost savings an added battery storage system can be used to store this surplus energy for use later in the day or during an evening.
A modern solar panel and battery system offers a completely different set of benefits to traditional solar panel only installations. Designed to provide homeowners with cheap electricity when it is most needed, solar and battery installations are transforming personal energy generation.
Storage batteries work just the same as any other battery, just on a much larger scale. The excess energy your solar panels generate is used to charge your solar battery, keeping it so that when your solar panels are no longer producing energy, you have electricity readily available. You'll take what you've stored in the middle of the day, when only the fridge is humming away, and use it at night when your home is at its busiest with TV's, Consoles, and the lights someone keeps leaving on are all running.
Storage batteries don't just end there. They allow you to capitalise on the fact that in a lot of cases, your solar PV and battery system will produce more energy than your home needs. This excess energy can be sold back to your energy provider!
Commonly asked questions by Bambu customers.
Space allocation is a critical factor to consider when installing a solar PV system. On average, a system typically has a size of around 3.7kWp, requiring approximately 20 square meters of roof space.
For optimal electrical output, an unshaded, South-facing roof is preferrable. While East or West-facing roof can still be a viable options, particularly as panels don't require direct sunlight. It is important to note that panels situated on North-facing roofs are not recommended. For context, a solar PV system orientated towards the East or West will typically yield 15-20% less energy compared to one directly facing South.
The presence of nearby structures, trees, or chimneys can cast shadows on your roof, adversely affecting your system's performance.
While finding an unshaded location is preferable, sometimes shading is unavoidable. In such cases, certain solar PV systems can mitigate the impact of shading by utilising 'optimisers', or 'microinverters'. It is worth noting that if shading is not an issue, the use of optimisers is neither necessary nor beneficial, except for the additional monitoring capabilities they provide; they do not increase energy generation.
Solar PV panels are typically categorised as 'permitted developments'. This means in most cases planning permission is not required. Nevertheless, exceptions to this may exist, paarticularly if your property is located within a conservation area, or is a listed building. Therefore it is advisable to consult your local planning office for specific guidance. This is something we ask all our customers to do if they are unsure.
In the event that you are contemplating the installation of a solar PV system in your home, it is imperative to complete a registration process with your Distribution Network Operator (DNO). The DNO is the entity responsible for supplying electricity to your property. This is something that Solar-Techs will complete on your behalf.
For detailed guidance on how to carry out the registration of your new energy system in England, Scotland and Wales, the UK Government provides comprehensive advice.
There will be instances when your solar PV system will generate more electricity than you are able to consume or store. In such cases, the excess electricity is sent back to the grid for others to use.
If you wish to be compensated for this surplus electricity, it is essential to ensure you are enrolled in an export payment scheme with your energy provider. The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) initiative was designed to financially support small-scale renewable energy producers for the electricity they contribute to the grid, providing certain criteria is met. Embracing solar PV with the SEG in place can result in significantly higher savings compared to systems without it.
We follow the same tried and tested process for all our potential customers, regardless of whether you are looking for a simple PV system with battery storage, or something more substantial Our first interaction with you will always be a discovery call. This should take on average 20 minutes. It is our opportunity to gather some information about your property, energy useage habits and most importantly a bit more about you and your reasons for wanting to move foward with Solar PV.
Our design team will complete a further desktop assessment of your property before getting to work on designing a PV system to meet your needs. As part of our quote and proposal we will include at least two possible design options. An energise package, which will include one battery, inverter and specified number of panels. Our Maximise package, will expand on your proposed energise package and will include a higher capacity battery. We will also send you an email containing a little more information about Solar-Techs, the products we install and include an attachment of your proposed systems battery calculations.
Tier 1 solar panels from leading manufacturers such as DMEGC and Aiko
Highly efficient and compact inverters from Sunsynk
Great performance with our Sunsynk 5.12kWh battery.
Effective bird control netting and mesh systems to protect your PV arrays. Installed as standard.
Save more with your EV by charging it from your solar PV array.
Once you have had the chance to take a look at our preliminary proposal, we would then ask to schedule a home visit appointment so a member of our surveying team is able to assess your property and confirm the design proposed is feasibile. We will need access to your loft and electrical cupboard. We will takes some notes and photos of your property. We will also sit down and talk to you abit more about the proposed system as well as giving you the opportunity to futher customise your proposed solar PV design. For example add an additional battery, or switch a string inverter to a microinverter etc. The site survey is our opportunity to ensure that you get answers to all your questions plus enabling us to determine whether the design is first and foremost feasible.
We will leave you with everything you need to help make an informed decision on whether our solar PV proposal is right for you. Our quotes are valid for 14 days from being emailed to you. Should you be happy with our proposal, you will just need to sign two copies of the contract. Returning one of these signed copies to our office either via post or email. Please note that there is a cooling off period of 14 days, in case you want to cancel your contract with us. You will also be required to pay a 25% deposit.
Its your installation day and you are one step closer to gaining energy independence. We will ask you to make sure that the areas to be worked on are free from clutter and easily accessible to our installers. Installation of your solar PV system will typically take 1 - 2 days, weather permitting. We will arrive at the site, typically at 8:00 AM, and begin unloading all your materials and installing access scaffolding. An electrician will begin wiring up the interior and install your inverter and battery storage units. Whilst our panel installers add your roof brackets, rails and panels. Once installation is complete, we will give you a full demonstration of how to track the performance of your system. Plus obtain the remaining outstanding balance. You will also recieve your handover pack, complete with MCS certificate shortly thereafter. Our administration team will complete all the necessary paperwork to ensure your Microgeneration system is G98/G99 compliant.
