Frequently Asked Questions

Solar technology really works and makes a difference. To put it in perspective the Channel Islands are geographically level with Southern Germany. From 2021 Germany has been the largest installer of Solar PV in the world to date. The weather changes everyday but we are able to accurately predict the solar energy you can generate over a year.

Solar does perform best in Summer and shoulder months from April>October where the days are longer. Through the Winter the solar generation is significantly lower. However, during this period your energy requirements are simply met by the local grid so there is no impact on your home.

Offsetting the purchase of JE/grid energy is the primary way savings can be made. For every unit generated, this offsets a unit at the current rate. Selling back occurs when you generate more than you can consume at the moment in time.

However, if you add energy automation such as hot water or battery storage you can consume more solar power for later use and reduce exports. Generating energy and reducing the amount exported units is key!

Additionally, another overlooked way to make savings is through better management of energy. With a solar solution from SunWorks you can fully see your homes' solar generation and consumption via an app and therefore make much better consumer choices. This energy awareness plays a key role in the whole solar product offering.

Solar is connected to your properties main electrical system with the use of specialist equipment and acts as a supplementary supply.
Therefore, you remain connected to Jersey Electricity as normal and you will experience no difference in the way power is delivered in your home/business premises.

This is not good way to view the product. Solar panels are not likely to be the answer to all your energy usage. It’s best to view solar as supplementing a portion of your electricity use which will match a % of your annual overall consumption.

Moreover, the output is not consistent through the year so what might work in Summer will not be the same in Winter. It's better to ask the question;
'How much of my home can I realistically power from solar?"
and the answer is typically around 30>50%

The % achieved is dependent on the amount of roof space available for solar panels, family lifestyle impacting property consumption and the mindset of the homeowners.

Yes, we offer a range of battery storage products. However battery storage is not standard and is not required for solar to operate and deliver savings. SunWorks can access your home and advise if a battery is suitable.

Battery storage is typically designed to shift power over a 24 hour period. Therefore, stores solar energy in the day, then discharges when the sun goes down and then starts again the next day. However, energy flow is constantly in motion as the weather changes over a day, so if its sunny in the morning and then cloudy in afternoon the battery will deliver accordingly and work to keep the net grid import/export at zero.

We would not recommend going off grid at all where there is good availability of utility energy
The standing charge of £60.00 per year for being connected to the Jersey grid is well worth paying so you can stay connected and power modern appliances. It also means you can export your surplus solar power to Jersey Electricity and can be used by your neighbours.

If you are worried about energy security it is better to install a system that will provide battery back-up for your property if the power does fail. This is an option with certain single-phase systems, please get in contact for more details.

We would not advise to totally getting rid of your current oil system unless you are replacing this with an electric equivalent. There are a number of options now to provide sustainable electric heating from electric boilers to air source heat pumps.

Our recommendation would be to install the solar PV and use the PV to divert electricity to your immersion element through an ‘immersion diverter’. This will send any PV energy that would have otherwise been exported to heat water. This way you can reduce your oil consumption for the shoulder and Summer months where the PV will likely take care of everything.

So, unless you are swapping out your heating for electric keep your oil tank for now for those cold snaps in Winter when there is not much sun!

Solar PV just provides onsite renewable electricity so you still need an appliance to do the actual heating such as panel radiators or Air Source Heat pump.

Solar PV is not well suited to providing electricity to heating appliances, which typically operate when it's cold and dark October > March (when solar is at its least productive)

. However, in Jersey you can have 'Approved Heating' and qualify for Economy rates so you can achieve a discounted rate of electricity.

Solar is better for taking care of pretty much everything except heating.

• Suitable roof space. Ideally uninterrupted by required vents, flues or dormer windows.
• Predominantly south facing aspect, although southwest or southeast is acceptable. East and West on low pitch roof. Flat roofs are also great!
• Minimal shading to the surface causing obstruction of sunlight i.e. large groups of trees or other buildings) Suitable strength in the structure of the building to take the weight of the system. This is especially important in flat roof system that to not have steel supporting structure.
• Permission from property owner and JE bill payer

Possibly.
We offer other products such as car ports and pagodas which are installed with solar panels on top. These can be free standing in garden or driveway or attached to a sunny facing gable end of the house. If your roof faces east or west solar will still work if you have space.

Also, if you have some redundant sunny outside areas such as car park or a garden this could be considered, and we have had some very successful ground mounted solar installations. These will often require planning permission for installations over 6 solar panels.

Government of Jersey are overall supportive of solar and in most cases you can cover upto 90% of a roof plane without seeking permission.

If you live within a listed building, listed site or potential building of interest in Jersey you will always require planning permission and we recommend seeking pre-planning advise from the department.
Please note where applications have been successful is on extensions, outbuildings or gardens within a listed site, but are not part of a specific listing.

 SunWorks recommend engaging a planning consultant and/or architect and SunWorks can assist where required.

Solar without any type of subsidy in a residential scenario typically pays back in 8>10 years.

Receiving an additional subsidy payment for generating solar power would mean faster payback but would likely result in higher energy prices. Recent market price drops in Solar technology means now is a great time to invest and futureproof your premises.

The main reason is that it is not required of Jersey to generate any renewable power. Jersey has signed up to the Kyoto Protocol which is focused on cutting carbon emissions between 1990 to 2050 by 80%. Jersey is well on track for this target as a number of years ago we made the switch to importing the vast majority of electricity from France via the submarine cables. This offers low carbon and favourably priced electricity for the time being. The States of Jersey in the grand scheme of things seems to often overlook the value locally generated electricity would bring to the island. However, from a recent island study about ‘My Jersey’ the survey concludes the public are crying out for renewables and better energy security!

SunWorks do not currently supply solar for camper vans, boats, mobile homes etc. There is a big range of inexpensive product kits available online that are straight forward to fit. Alternatively for a local fitting service Auto Electrics in Byron road, St Helier provide a professional service for this kind of application.

Off-grid solar that will stand the test of time is never cheap. But if this is your only option, we have installed off-grid solutions before and can find the right system for you. Please get in contact for details in powering off-grid buildings.

This totally depends on your electricity consumption and roof size. A system can be anywhere from £10,000. This varies from how many panels you have in your Solar PV system, of course a larger system will generate more electricity.

Unfortunately we don't and we ask that a deposit is paid prior to installation works being carried out.

There is not current viable solution to offering solar leasing. We currently do not offer solar leasing. Finance is your best way to pay little up front and spread the cost.

Panels have a lifespan of 25-30 years although they will carry on producing electricity after this time. All products have very solid manufacturer warranties which we will specify upon quotation.