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Over the past 14 years, we’ve become the number one solar panel installer in Kent, Surrey and Sussex, with over 15,000 solar PV systems currently generating ‘green energy’. In that time, solar technology has come a long way. From the look and efficiency of the solar PV products to the popularity and priority that sustainability now has in our lives.

As the UK makes permanent moves away from fossil fuels, power outages are likely to become more frequent as our grid struggles under the pressure. Those with solar panels are far more likely to be less affected and those with solar and Tesla Powerwall, will enjoy seamless backup during outages.

A recent Solar Panel installation in Tonbridge - Save money & go green with TLGEC

Benefits of installing Solar Panels at home

Every year the sun produces 8,000 times more energy than we consume globally, ready to use whenever we need it, so why not make the most of this free supply?

Solar PV benefits - Why solar panels our out Kent customers to Reduce carbon footprint, Save on energy bills, & protect themselves from rising energy bills

  • IMPROVE YOUR CARBON FOOTPRINT: as solar panels generate green, renewable energy there are no harmful pollutants released into the earth’s atmosphere. You will directly play a part in protecting the future of our planet. This is the most rewarding benefit echoed by almost all of our customers.
  • CUT YOUR ELECTRICITY BILLS: Once you’ve paid for the initial installation, the sunlight is free and your electricity costs will be significantly reduced.
  • SAVE MONEY ON RISING ELECTRICITY BILLS FROM DAY 1: With the demand on the grid that we talked about, we can’t begin to wonder how much electricity will cost in 10 years, let alone 25-30! Can you afford not to protect yourself?
  • SELL YOUR SURPLUS ELECTRICITY: Any electricity that you don’t use will be sold back to the grid to be used by the energy supplier. Therefore, there’s no wastage and you can earn money from the unused electricity you produce, making the system even more efficient.
TLGEC Renewable Energy: Solar PV, Battery Storage & EV Charging in Kent, Sussex, Surrey, London & Surrounding Areas

TLGEC Solar Panel Installation Accreditations and Awards

Choosing the best Solar PV Panels for your Kent home

Not all solar panels are made equal. As an independent renewable energy company, TLGEC are not tied to a specific solar PV manufacturer. However, we are proud of our technical expertise and meticulously source the best possible components for your PV system. The quality and reliability of solar panels vary greatly in the market.

Most consumers only decide to buy a solar photovoltaic system once in their lives. That’s why it’s all about buying solar panels that are robust and feature state-of-the-art technology. We have over 15,000 customers across Kent, Sussex, Surrey & London, who can attest to the quality of our solar PV installations.

Approved Sunpower Solar Panel Partner with 25 Year Guarantee

Our Solar Panels of Choice: SunPower

As one of the world’s most innovative and sustainable energy companies, SunPower provides a diverse group of customers with some of the best solar panels in the world.

Residential customers, businesses, governments, schools and utilities around the globe rely on SunPower’s more than 30 years of proven experience. From the first flip of the switch, SunPower delivers maximum value and superb performance throughout the long life of every solar system.

Read our guide to choosing the right solar photovoltaic panels for your property or get in touch with our team, who’d be happy to answer any questions you have about installing solar pv.

We’re the leading Solar Panel installer in Kent & the South East

Since 2010, our renewable energy solutions have been trusted by thousands of customers from homeowners, to businesses, developers, council and government to install solar PV systems across Kent, Sussex, Surrey, London & the South East.

We’re leading certified installers for the products we install, continually excelling in regular inspections by manufacturers.

Solar PV Case Studies

We have installed lots of solar panel (PV) systems for customers across the Kent area. Each system provides customers with enough green energy to make a significant reduction in their energy bills and carbon footprint. We help our customers to achieve the best possible power output, based on their property. This is why we have 250+ 5-stars reviews on WHICH?, Google, Facebook, and Checkatrade.

Meet Kent's leading residential Solar Panel installation team

We are proud to be a team you can trust.

Our expert residential solar panel installation team have the experience and know-how to efficiently install your solar panels. Whether you are looking for rooftop solar panels, or a fully integrated Solar PV system with a Tesla Powerwall, our team can get the job done right.

Our team has installed solar panels for many of out customers across Kent, Surrey, East Sussex and West Sussex. Our installation coverage includes Tonbridge, Maidstone, Ashford, Tunbridge Wells, Canterbury, Sevenoaks, East Grinstead, and Brighton & Hove.

Solar Panel (PV) FAQs

To ensure you have all the information you require at your fingertips, we have compiled a list of frequently asked questions. If you still have a question then feel free to get in touch. Our expert Solar PV team, based at our HQ in Tonbridge, Kent, are extremely knowledgeable and here to help.

How do solar panels work?

When the sun shines onto a solar panel, energy from the sunlight is absorbed by the PV cells in the panel. This energy creates electrical charges that move in response to an internal electrical field in the cell, causing electricity to flow.

Do solar panels work in winter?

A common myth is that solar panels do not work during winter, but on the contrary, the cold temperature will typically improve solar panel output. The white snow can also reflect light and help improve PV performance. Winter will only hurt solar production if the panels are covered with snow.

How many solar panels are needed to power a typical house?

It’s estimated that the average one-bedroom house needs six solar panels, while a three-bedroom house needs ten. The number of solar panels you will need to power your home depends on the size of your property. We have installed solar in many home across Kent and will be able to show you examples of the different systems we have designed.

Do solar panels work in the rain?

Solar panels will still work even when light is reflected or blocked by clouds. Rain actually helps keep your panels operational by washing away any dust or dirt that may obstruct the PV cells.

Can you run a house on solar power alone in the UK?

Yes, you can power your entire home using solar energy, even in the winter. We have installed solar PV systems across Kent, Surrey and Sussex, and our customers are now benefitting from independent energy and reduced electricity bills, all-year-around.

How long do solar panels last?

The industry lifespan of a typical solar panel is 25 years.  However, we use the SunPower panels which have a 40-year warranty, giving you that extra peace of mind.

Do I need planning permission to install solar panels?

You need to apply for planning permission only if your solar panels will protrude more than 20cm from the external surface of the wall or roof slope. If you want to install solar panels in your garden, then you will most certainly require planning permission. We can discuss solar panels and planning permission with you regarding your unique case.

How much do solar panels cost?

The price of your solar panels will depend on multiple factors such as the size of your home, how much you want to rely on solar energy, and what you are using the solar panels for. For a more detailed solar panel price breakdown, do not hesitate to get in touch with us.

How long does solar panel installation take?

Solar panel installation can take up to two days. A considerable amount of time is spent on constructing scaffolding for the panels, so if you do not require scaffolding, the installation will take less time.

Have I missed out on the Feed In Tariff?

Unfortunately, the solar panel Feed In Tariff closed in March of 2019, so if you have your solar panels installed now, you will have missed the cut off and won’t benefit from the scheme.

How can I make the solar PV system less visible?

Manufacturers have started offering panels with black frames to make the solar panels less conspicuous and obvious when on your roof. Our team also takes pride in ensuring all cables are finished in the neatest possible way.

We can show you examples of the solar pv systems we have designed and installed across Kent and how we make them look clean and stylish.

Do I need bird protection?

You might need to bird-proof your solar panels to protect them from pigeons and other birds nesting underneath them. Birds can damage the wires beneath the panels, so we recommend having a bird-proof wire mesh installed around your panels. This is something we can discuss with you.

If I get an electric car, can I charge it from my solar panels?

Yes, you can charge your electric car using your solar panels. As official partners of Tesla, we offer Tesla Powerwall that works in conjunction with your solar panels. This means that your solar panels will charge the Powerwall, which will hold energy that you can use to directly charge your car.

How long will I have to wait for my installation?

The solar panel industry has been growing at an unprecedented rate due to rising energy costs and the increasing desire to reduce our carbon footprint. Good installers are in demand. We are seeing reductions in waiting times as we grow to meet expectations but are conscious that we still want to give our customers the high level of service we are known for.  We are currently running on a 4–5-month lead time.  However, as solar panels are an investment in your future, this is a worthwhile wait.

How long does solar panel installation take?

Once your installation date has been set, we will get the scaffold erected a couple of days before. A typical installation can take 1-2 days depending on the complexity and whether you are having a battery installed.

How long will I have to wait to hear from a surveyor?

Once received, your enquiry will be passed to one of our surveyors within 24 hours. They will then make contact to discuss your project further and to schedule in a suitable time to do a site survey.

What guarantees will my installation have?

When making an investment in a Solar PV system that will be producing free, clean electricity for many years we believe that the warranties are important. We therefore use some of the best equipment on the market with market leading warranties.

Our SunPower panels come with a 40 year fully serviceable warranty! The SolarEdge inverters are warrantied for 12 years and if you have a Tesla Powerwall installed this will come with a 10 year warranty. This covers all the main components.

This is backed up with our 2-year installation warranty for your peace of mind. If something stops working, one of our Kent-based solar pv team will be out to fix it.

Will I need to change my electricity meter if I have solar panels installed?

No, solar panels will work on any existing meter. However, to take advantage of some of the newer tariffs available for self-generators a Smart Meter would be required. We can work with you on finding the correct electricity meter for your needs, as well as integrating your existing electricity meter into your new solar panel system.

Can I pay for my solar panels by credit card, cash, or cheque?

We take all payment methods, however currently there is a 2.5% fee when paying with credit card. We can discuss payment options with you and find the solution that best suits your needs.

Is my deposit payment protected?

Yes, all reputable installers must hold RECC (Renewable Energy Consumer Code) accreditation. This requires us to register all deposits which will receive protection. We register all deposits through the HIP (Home Improvement Protection) scheme.

Please get in touch with us if you have any questions regarding payments and financing options.

How does the home improvement protection insurance work with solar installation? Do I need to do anything to set this up?

No, we take care of all the registrations for you. You will then be sent a certificate. We work hard to make the solar panel installation process as efficient as possible for our customers, which includes handling all paperwork for you.

If I have the Tesla Powerwall battery, can it be located inside or outside?

Yes, can be fitted inside or out. It has an inbuilt heating and cooling system to manage any environment.

If I have the battery, how much energy does it hold and how long will this power my house?

The Tesla Powerwall holds 13.5kWh of energy and will continue to power most houses overnight. If you have any questions about your energy requirements do not hesitate to get in touch. We work on custom solutions for all out clients to ensure their solar panel systems meet their exact energy requirements. 

Will the solar and battery system work if I have a power cut?

The back up facility of the Powerwall cuts in almost instantly in the event of a power cut and the Tesla monitoring app provided with the system shows an estimate of how long the house can be supplied based on the current power usage.

What is an Export Limit and will this affect the efficiency of my system?

This is a limit sometimes placed on the system by the Grid operator which dictates the amount of excess unused electricity which can be sent back to the grid. This does not make the system less efficient at doing it’s job as it still produces power in the normal way.

Do you use any subcontractors or will you do the installation work yourself?

We have our own employed staff for electricians and roofers to complete the work. Only Scaffolding, Bird protection mesh and some groundworks for trenching of cables is carried out by fully vetted subcontractors which we have used for many years and are fully insured.

What does an Inverter do?

The inverter is fundamentally a transformer which takes the DC (Direct Current) generated by the Solar Panels and changes it to AC (Alternating Current) to make it suitable to supply the property.

What software do I get to monitor how my new system is working?

Monitoring software is supplied to our clients free of charge to enable them to monitor the Inverter and Battery systems. We are also able to log into these from our offices to advise you on how your system is performing and to assist with any queries you may have.

What happens to the power that gets generated by the system that I can’t use?

By supplying your energy provider with the certification that we issue with the project any excess power not used by the property or battery can be sold back to the grid for other peoples use and this will be credited against your electricity bill.

Is shading an issue?

Over shadowing of any solar panels by trees, chimneys, or any other obstructions will reduce the performance of the system. We can install optimisers which will maximise the power of each panel individually to ensure that the system gives our clients the maximum amount of power possible with the least lost by shading.

Why would I need a battery as well as the Solar Panels?

Battery storage assists a solar panel system by storing any power generated which is not used by the property at that time, for later use when power demand is higher and also overnight when the sun goes down. This means you get to use more of the power generated yourself and supply less back to the national grid. Clients with cheaper overnight tariff rates due to Economy 7 or EV charger cheaper tariffs can also charge them up overnight at a cheaper rate and deploy them during the day when buying power from the grid is more expensive so giving an additional saving on bills.

For an integrated system:

TLGEC were the first Tesla Powerwall installers in the UK. The technology and tariffs available put property owners and businesses in the driving seat of their energy usage.

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Thinking of driving an electric vehicle? Talk to us about your EV charging point options and take advantage of the existing OZEV (formerly OLEV) grant.

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With several years experience, TLGEC are ideally placed to ensure your system is kept up to date. We are also happy to take on the maintenance of your system, even if we didn’t install them.

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