Solar Solutions
Solar Solutions | Solar Installation | Electrical | Winchester
For more than three decades, HEP has helped Winchester families and businesses turn sunlight into dependable energy and lasting savings. Our licensed electricians handle every stage of your solar installation—from custom system design and permitting to seamless connection with the grid—so you can focus on watching your electric bills shrink. Because we’re local, we know the region’s weather patterns, roof styles, and zoning requirements inside out, delivering panels that perform at their peak year-round.
Choosing HEP means transparent pricing, flexible financing, and workmanship backed by industry-leading warranties. Whether you’re eyeing a rooftop array, ground-mounted panels, or battery storage for true energy independence, our team crafts a solution that fits your goals and budget. Join the growing community of Winchester neighbors who are powering their lives with clean, cost-effective solar—and discover how easy going green can be.
FAQs
How much electricity will a typical residential solar PV system in Winchester generate each year?
A well-sited 4 kWp system in Winchester produces roughly 3,600–4,000 kWh of electricity annually. The exact output depends on roof orientation, pitch, shading, and the panel efficiency you choose. South-facing roofs at 30–40° with no shade achieve the top end of this range, while east- or west-facing roofs typically generate 10–15 % less. Our free site survey includes a computer-modelled yield report so you know what to expect before committing.
Do I need planning permission to install solar panels on my Winchester property?
In most cases, no. Roof-mounted solar panels are classed as ‘Permitted Development’ across Hampshire, provided they do not protrude more than 200 mm from the roof surface and are installed below the highest part of the roof (excluding chimneys). Exceptions apply to listed buildings, properties in conservation areas, and some flats. If your home falls into one of these categories, we liaise with Winchester City Council to secure the appropriate consent on your behalf.
What financial incentives and payback can I expect?
Homeowners can export surplus generation to the grid through the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG). Current SEG rates (spring 2024) range from 10–20 p/kWh depending on your chosen supplier. Combined with bill savings, most clients see effective returns of 8–12 % and payback periods of 6–10 years. Businesses may also qualify for 100 % first-year capital allowances under the Full Expensing scheme. We supply a detailed cash-flow forecast tailored to your consumption profile.
Is my roof suitable for solar, and what if I have shading issues?
During our on-site assessment we check roof age, structural loading, orientation, pitch, and any shading from nearby trees or chimneys. Modern lightweight panels add roughly 12 kg/m², usually well within UK building standards. If shading affects just a portion of the array, we specify optimisers or micro-inverters so the rest of the system continues to work at full power. For heavily shaded sites, we can design a ground-mounted array or car-port solution instead.
How long does the installation process take and will my daily routine be disrupted?
For an average 10–12-panel domestic array, scaffolding goes up the day before, panel and inverter installation takes 1–2 working days, and we remove the scaffold immediately after safety sign-off. Your electricity only needs to be turned off for around 30 minutes while we connect the inverter to your consumer unit. Our teams are MCS-certified and work to NICEIC standards, leaving the site clean and watertight the same day.
What maintenance and after-care do solar panels require?
Solar PV has no moving parts, so routine upkeep is minimal. Winchester’s rainfall generally keeps panels clean, but we recommend a visual check and optional wash every 1–2 years if bird droppings or pollen accumulate. All our installations include: • 25-year performance warranty on panels (to at least 80 % of original output) • 10-year product warranty on inverters, extendable to 20 years • Free online monitoring so you can track performance in real time • Annual health-check reminders from our service department Should an issue arise, our local technicians can usually resolve it within 48 hours.