Generate your own clean electricity, slash your energy bills by up to 70%, and protect your home from rising utility prices.
The cost of living crisis has changed how we view energy. Electricity is no longer a fixed monthly cost; it is a volatile commodity. For homeowners in Norwich and Norfolk, installing Solar PV (Photovoltaics) is the single most effective way to regain control. By turning your roof into a power station, you stop renting your energy from the grid and start owning it.
At Yare Electrical, we design and install high-performance solar arrays tailored to the unique microclimate of East Anglia. We don’t just bolt panels to the roof; we engineer complete energy ecosystems—integrating battery storage and EV charging to ensure you use every kilowatt you generate.
How Much Could You Save?
Why Solar Makes Sense in Norfolk
There is a myth that you need to live in Spain to benefit from solar. In reality, solar panels run on light, not heat. Norfolk is actually one of the sunniest counties in the UK, making it an ideal location for solar generation.
1. Reduce Your Bills Instantly
Every unit of electricity your panels generate is a unit you don’t buy from your supplier. With energy prices hovering around 25p–30p per kWh, a standard 4kW system can save the average household over £800 to £1,200 per year depending on usage.
2. Get Paid to Export (SEG)
You won’t use all the power you generate (e.g., when you are on holiday). Under the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG), energy suppliers must pay you for the surplus energy you send back to the grid. While we always recommend storing energy first (see below), the SEG ensures nothing goes to waste.
3. Increase Property Value
Solar panels improve your home’s EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) rating. In a property market conscious of running costs, a home with a “B” or “A” rating is significantly more attractive to buyers than a “D” rated home.
Battery Storage: The Game Changer
Solar panels have one flaw: they generate the most power at noon, when most people are at work. Without a battery, that free power is exported to the grid.
We recommend installing a Hybrid Battery System (such as GivEnergy, Tesla Powerwall, or Solax). This stores your midday sunshine for use in the evening when you are cooking, watching TV, and running the dishwasher.
Smart Tariffs & Force Charging
Batteries also allow you to play the market. With a smart tariff (like Octopus Agile or Go), you can charge your battery from the grid in the middle of the night when electricity is cheap (e.g., 7p/kWh) and discharge it during peak times (4pm–7pm) when prices are high. This “load shifting” can double your annual savings.
The Technology We Install
We only install Tier-1 equipment with long warranties. We avoid cheap, unbranded kit that degrades after a few years.
- All-Black Panels: Aesthetics matter. We install sleek, “All-Black” mono-crystalline panels (400W+) that look modern and blend into your roof, rather than the ugly blue grid-patterned panels of the past.
- Micro-Inverters (Enphase): For roofs with complex shapes or shading (from chimneys or trees), we use micro-inverters. These attach to the back of each panel. If a bird poops on one panel, only that panel drops output—the rest of the roof keeps generating at 100%.
- String Inverters (Solis/Growatt): For open, unshaded roofs, we use high-efficiency string inverters that offer the best balance of performance and price.
Bird Proofing: A Norwich Necessity
Pigeons love solar panels. The gap between the panel and the roof is warm and sheltered—perfect for nesting. Unfortunately, pigeons are noisy, messy, and can damage cabling.
At Yare Electrical, we offer Bird Protection Mesh as standard or as an upgrade. We clip a robust black steel mesh around the perimeter of the array. It is invisible from the ground but stops birds getting underneath, protecting your investment and your sleep!
The Installation Process
We handle the entire project from start to finish, so you don’t have to juggle scaffolders and electricians.
Step 1: Desktop Survey & Design
We use satellite imagery and PVSol software to model your roof. We verify wind loading and calculate exactly how many panels will fit and how much energy they will generate.
Step 2: DNO Application (G98/G99)
You cannot just plug a generator into the grid. We handle the application to UK Power Networks. For standard systems (G98), this is a notification. For larger systems (G99), we gain prior permission to ensure the local grid can handle your export.
Step 3: Installation
Our roofing team installs the mounting rails (using hooks that do not damage your tiles), while our electricians install the inverter and batteries. Most domestic installs take 1-2 days.
Step 4: Commissioning & Monitoring
We set up your monitoring app. You will be able to see—in real-time on your phone—exactly how much solar you are generating, how much your house is using, and the battery charge level.
Do I Need Planning Permission?
In Norwich, most domestic solar installations fall under Permitted Development Rights, meaning you do not need planning permission. However, exceptions apply if:
- You live in a Listed Building (Permission always required).
- You are in a Conservation Area (Panels must not be visible from the highway, though rules are relaxing).
We will check your property status during the survey and advise you accordingly.
Why Choose Yare Electrical?
- Electrical Safety First: Many “Solar Companies” are sales outfits that subcontract the work. We are qualified electricians. We ensure your new system doesn’t overload your existing fuse board and meets all Part P building regulations.
- EV Integration: We can link your solar system to an EV Charger (like the Zappi), allowing you to charge your car using only excess solar power. Free driving!
- Local Support: We are based in Norwich. If you have an issue in 5 years, we will be here to fix it—unlike the national “call centre” solar companies.
Start Saving Today
The sun is shining—put it to work. Contact Yare Electrical on 01603 626400 for a free, no-obligation solar survey and yield forecast.
