How solar panels work
How to get the most from your solar installation
How to Fund solar panels
Information from Energise Sussex Coast on funding solar installations
Planning permission
(These notes are mainly taken from the Rother District Council planning advice page on renewable energy)
Most solar installations come under the category of “Permitted Development Rights”, however there are some exceptions :
- The “permitted development right” is removed if you’re within an “Article 4 Direction” area. Such areas do exist within the Battle Civil Parish area, also for example in Winchelsea, Burwash and Northiam.
- The right is removed if you live in a flat
- The right is ”generally allowed” in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (as Battle is)
For putting panels on a building, Planning Permission is required if :
- The panels protrude by more than 20 cm from the roof
- The panels are above the highest point of the roof, e.g. Flat roofs
- In a Conservation Area, where panels face onto a highway, path, or public right of way
- For a Listed Building, where you’ll need Listed Building Consent too
Different criteria apply if the panel is not mounted on a building (they are not discussed here)
There are changes which might ease a planning situation for a conservation area or on a listed building, for example black solar panels, or solar tiles
You could find more information from:
- Us !
- Your solar installer
- Rother District Council
- Energise Sussex Coast
Solar Installers
Please note that we have provided this list as this is a question we are often asked. However, we do not have any links and have not vetted any of the suppliers listed below. We cannot guarantee or give any assurances about the quality of their work. Testimonials may be available for some installers on this list.
| Company name | Contact details |
| Complete Solar Sue B used this company | https://completesolar.net info@completesolar.net 01424 319191 Unit 3 Meads Court, 40-42 Cooden Sea Road Bexhill TN39 4SL |
| Eastbourne Energy | https://www.eastbourne.energy hello@eastbourne.energy 01323 324888 Unit 8, Mountney Bridge Business Park, Eastbourne Road, Eastbourne BN24 5NJ |
| Greenheat | http://www.greenheatuk.co.uk ryan@greenheatuk.co.uk 01424 863007 / 07727274324 6 Conqueror Ind Est, Moorhurst Road, St. Leonards on Sea, TN38 9NA |
| Nova Renewables | https://www.novarenewables.co.uk Eddie Marsh eddie@novarenewables.co.uk 01323 461200 / 07880 886631 388 Coast Rd, Pevensey BN24 6NY |
| OHM Energy | https://ohmenergy.co.uk hello@ohmenergy.co.uk 01323 739 474 A2 Ropemaker Park, Hailsham BN27 3GU |
| Solar Together A council-led group-buy initiative. Not currently active in Sussex but this scheme or something similar is likely to be launched soon. | https://solartogether.co.uk 0800 014 8738 |
| Solar UK | https://www.solaruk.com sales@solaruk.com 01424 772 903 Vantage Point, North Trade Rd, Battle, East Sussex, TN33 9LJ |
| Taylor Richardson Electrical Lindsey & Tim used this company. | https://tre-electrical.com wayne@tre-electrical.com 01424 211 638 Rear of 96 London Rd, Bexhill TN37 6LR |
How to Chose an installer
- Get recommendations from people you know. And ask for references.
- Local companies are a good option as they are easier to get back to help with any maintenance issues.
- Do some research into the company (use Google reviews, Trustpilot, Check a Trade etc.) and find out how long they have been in business. Beware of new companies. We suggest you stick to companies that have been around for some time as this is an indication they are doing something right!
- Make sure they are registered with Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) so you can get an export tariff. You can check here: https://mcscertified.com/find-an-installer/
- A good solar panel installer would generally be a member of the Renewable Energy Assurance Limited (REAL) or the Solar Trade Association (STA).
- Ask about after sales support and check the length of any warranties. How long do they guarantee their work for? (A year is normal.) What happens if something goes wrong? This is where a local company can be useful as it’s easier for them to come out and look into any problems.
- Get at least 3 quotes.
- Carefully compare the quotes. Are they comparable? Do they all include additional costs such as scaffolding? Do they all include VAT? Battle Solar Town can review quotes on your behalf if you’re not sure which is best.
- Beware of wild claims! Some solar installers use dodgy figures when trying to win your business .e.g. save £1000 a year with solar etc. If one quote is especially low, or claiming especially high savings from the solar system, then beware!
- Avoid scams. We have heard of several scams for ‘free solar’, often pretending to be a government website. There is no free solar at the moment other than via ECO4 for people on means tested benefits. Always check the real email it is from and any web addresses.
- You may also wish to check the ethical source of the panels. Many cheap solar panel materials are sourced from the Xinjiang Region of China and this production has been linked to the alleged exploitation of Uyghur Muslims. Efforts are underway to audit and monitor the supply chain to allow consumers to buy ethically: https://communityenergyengland.org/pages/ethical-sourcing