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Your solar panels have been installed, your battery is charged, and you’re ready to start generating your own electricity. So, what happens next?
Many homeowners think the installation is the end of the process, when in reality it’s just the beginning. There are a few important steps that take place after your installation to ensure you’re getting the most from your new system, including registering for an export tariff, receiving your certification, and learning how to monitor your energy production.
Here’s everything you can expect after your solar installation.
Before your installer leaves your property, they will carry out a full commissioning process. This involves testing every part of your installation to ensure it’s operating safely, and performing exactly as designed.
Your inverter, battery, gateway (if you have one), and monitoring equipment will all be checked, and your installer will confirm that your solar panels are generating electricity correctly.
This is also when you’ll be shown how everything works. We don’t simply switch the system on and disappear. Our engineers will help you install and log into your monitoring app, explain what all the information means, and answer any questions you have before they leave. You should feel confident using your new system from day one.
Following the installation, you will receive a number of important documents. It’s worth keeping these somewhere safe, as you will need them in the future.
Your handover pack will usually include your MCS certificates, electrical installation certificates, product warranties, commissioning documents, and confirmation that the relevant grid notification or application has been completed.
The MCS certificate for your solar PV is particularly important, as you’ll need it if you want to be paid for any electricity you export back to the grid under the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG).
Depending on your installation, your solar system will either have been connected under G98 or approved under G99.
For most domestic systems installed under G98, your installer notifies your local Distribution Network Operator (DNO) after the installation has been completed.
Larger systems, or those designed to export more electricity, usually require G99 approval before installation can take place.
If your system was installed under G98 while a G99 application is still being processed, don’t worry. This is a common approach that allows you to begin generating your own electricity immediately, instead of waiting weeks (or even months) for paperwork to be completed. Once the G99 approval is received, compatible systems such as the Tesla Powerwall 3 can have their export settings updated remotely, without another installation visit.
One of the best parts of having solar installed is that the savings begin immediately. Every unit of electricity your home uses directly from your solar panels is electricity that you do not need to buy from your energy supplier.
If you’ve had battery storage installed, your battery will automatically store surplus solar energy for use later in the day, helping you to reduce your reliance on the grid even further.
Even before your export tariff is active, you’re already benefitting from lower electricity bills.
This is one of the questions we are asked most often. To receive payments for exporting surplus electricity, you’ll need to register for a Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) tariff with an energy supplier.
You do not have to choose the same company that supplies your electricity. Many homeowners shop around for the most competitive export rates, as suppliers all pay different amounts per kilowatt-hour exported.
Most suppliers will ask for a few pieces of information before they will activate your export payments. Typically, you will need:
Every home already has an import MPAN, which identifies the electricity you buy from the grid. Once you begin exporting electricity, you’ll also be assigned an export MPAN. This unique number allows your chosen energy supplier to measure how much electricity you’re sending back to the grid so they can pay you correctly.
Your installer and DNO handle most of this process behind the scenes, although the exact timescale can vary depending on your local network operator.
It’s perfectly normal for there to be a short gap between your installation being completed and your export tariff becoming active.
During this period, your solar panels will still generate electricity, your battery will still charge, and you’ll still reduce your electricity bills. The only difference is that exported electricity may not yet be earning an income until your supplier finishes registering your export account.
Some suppliers activate export payments more quickly than others, so it’s worth submitting your application as soon as you receive your paperwork. Community experience also shows that timelines often depend on how quickly DNO paperwork and the export MPAN are completed.
One of the most satisfying parts of owning solar is watching your home produce free electricity. Your monitoring app lets you see exactly how much electricity you’re generating, how much your home is consuming, how much your battery is storing, and how much energy is being exported back to the grid.
Over time, you will start to spot patterns in your energy usage and may decide to run appliances such as washing machines and dishwashers during the middle of the day, when your solar production is at its highest.
If you have a Tesla Powerwall, the app can also intelligently manage charging and discharging to maximise savings based on your chosen tariff.
Some manufacturers ask homeowners to register their products online after installation. Although some warranties are activated automatically by the installer, others may require a quick registration using the product serial numbers included in your handover pack.
It’s worth taking a few minutes to do this, to ensure you receive the full manufacturer warranty.
A good installer doesn’t disappear once the scaffolding comes down.
Whether you have questions about your monitoring app, need help choosing an export tariff, or simply want advice on getting the most from your battery, ongoing support should always be part of the service.
We’re always happy to help long after your installation is complete. Our aim isn’t simply to install solar panels, it’s to make sure you get the maximum benefit from your investment for many years to come.
