Boosting Solar in Waltham Forest

As a Council, we are committed to helping residents lower their carbon emissions and reduce their energy bills. Solar panels are a great way to do this.

To help you understand whether solar energy is right for your home, we’ve partnered with solar experts to provide clear and practical information.

Solar panels, also known as solar photovoltaics (PV), capture energy from sunlight to make electricity. This can be used to run your appliances and lighting. Solar PV needs light, but not direct sunlight, to work. They can still generate some electricity on a cloudy day. Sunlight is free, so once installed, your electricity costs will be reduced.

Solar panels can help you save money, reduce your carbon emissions and increase energy security.

Save on your electricity bill

Solar panels can reduce your electricity bills. Many households save around one third, though savings depend on your roof and how much energy you use.

You can check your home’s solar potential:

• The London Solar Opportunities Map

Reduce carbon emissions

Solar energy is renewable and produces much lower carbon emissions than most other energy sources.

Improve energy security

Electricity generated by your panels can reduce how much energy you need from the grid. More local solar energy can also help strengthen the wider energy system.

The cost of installing solar panels depends on your home and installer. For most households, a typical system costs between £5,000 and £7,000. This usually includes the panels, inverter and installation.

Adding a battery

You can add a battery to store extra energy for later use. This typically costs around £3,000 more.

A battery can help you use more of the electricity you generate and may increase your overall savings.

Paying back the cost

Over time, the money you save on electricity can cover the cost of installation. This is known as the payback period.

After this point, the electricity you generate can effectively reduce your bills for the rest of the system’s life.

Impact on property value

Installing solar panels may increase the value of your home, with some research suggesting the uplift could be around half the cost of installation.

Solar panels are designed to last a long time. Most come with a 25-year warranty, but they can continue to work beyond this.

Once installed, solar panels need very little maintenance. This means you can keep generating electricity for many years.

Most homes do not need planning permission to install solar panels. This is because they usually fall under permitted development.

When permission is required

You may need planning permission if:

• you live in a conservation area
• the panels will be installed above the highest part of your roof (not including the chimney)

You can still install solar panels in these cases, but you must apply for permission first.

Check the rules

You can read the full details of permitted development rules in section A.1:

• Legislation gov.uk 

If your solar panels generate more electricity than you use, you can get paid for the extra energy you send to the grid.

This is through the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) scheme.

Compare rates

Energy suppliers offer different payment rates for exported electricity. You can compare these using Solar Energy UK’s tool:

• Smart Export Guarantee 

Make sure you choose a qualified installer and compare quotes before deciding.

Check certification

Your installer should be certified by the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS). This helps make sure they meet industry standards.

Compare quotes

Use comparison websites to get quotes from different installers. These will be based on your roof and location.

Getting quotes from at least 3 installers can help you find the best option.

• Solar power comparison
• Otovo
• Solar guide

Council-owned provider

You can also get a quote from the council’s specialist company:

• Kanopiworks

Installing solar panels usually takes 1 to 2 days and is a straightforward process.

Your installer will:

• set up scaffolding to safely access your roof
• install the panels, usually within one or two days

You can stay in your home during the installation.

The work does not normally disturb your roof structure, and in most cases, tiles do not need to be removed.

Eligible residents can receive free home improvements, such as:

• solar panels
• insulation
• heat pumps 

tailored to make your home a healthier, more affordable place to live. Check your eligibility and apply for The Warm Homes Local Grant, which offers fully funded solar installations. 

For more information visit:

• The Energy Saving Trust advice page
• MCS ‘find a contractor’ tool
• Renewable Energy Consumer Code (RECC) consumer advice