Residential Solar Panels
6,000+ Installations
Local Solar & Battery Specialists Since 2010

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Why Choose Spirit Energy?

"We're a family-run solar specialist that has been installing solar panels and battery storage systems throughout the South of England since 2010. We pride ourselves on our 100% in-house technical expertise and installation work, as well as our attention to detail, industry-leading design work, customer care, and the quality of our post-install support.

Installing solar PV & battery storage is such a large investment that it's paramount to work out the best specification and system design to maximise your return on that investment and make sure that the system ticks all the boxes. As such, we provide a free, bespoke design service for all of our clients, and are prepared to go back to the drawing board as many times as it takes to finely tune the design and achieve the best system and investment return for every household and building.

If you'd like to understand what you get when you request a quote from Spirit Energy, take a look at our case study series, Sam's Solar Journey. I'd recommend video 4."

-Tok Charles, Spirit Energy

In-Roof Solar Panels

Rather than sitting above the tiles, these panels replace part of the roofing material itself, providing a flush and seamless aesthetic. Spirit Energy installs numerous in-roof solar systems, highly valued for their visual appeal, enhanced weatherproofing, and reduced maintenance needs. Homeowners choosing in-roof installations typically benefit from improved kerb appeal, which can boost property value, along with excellent energy efficiency. Ideal for new builds or roof refurbishments, in-roof panels combine practicality and style in one elegant solution.

Wall Mounted Solar Panels

Wall-mounted solar panels provide a practical solution for properties with limited or unsuitable roof space, making effective use of otherwise unused vertical surfaces. Spirit Energy has successfully completed numerous wall-mounted solar installations across the South of England, typically involving panels mounted securely on horizontal rails, fixed directly into brick or block walls with specialist screws and standard clamps.

Though they generate around 30% less energy annually compared to optimally pitched south-facing roof systems, wall-mounted panels can still outperform less ideally oriented roof arrays, making them a sensible option for many homeowners. They generally fall within permitted development rights, avoiding the need for planning permission.

Ground Mount Solar Panels

Ground-mounted solar panels offer an ideal solution when roofs are shaded, unsuitable, or simply lack adequate space. Spirit Energy regularly installs ground-mounted systems throughout southern England, securely anchoring frames directly into the ground using robust steel foundations. These installations provide flexibility in panel orientation and pitch, optimising performance and maximising annual energy output.

Although ground-mounted systems require suitable open space and may involve higher initial groundwork costs, their ease of maintenance, enhanced cooling airflow around panels, and typically higher overall efficiency can often offset these factors. As with roof-mounted panels, ground-mounted installations typically fall under permitted development rights.

Flat Roof Solar Panels

Flat roof solar installations are an excellent way to maximise unused roof space on commercial and residential buildings. Spirit Energy frequently installs flat roof systems, typically using ballast-mounted or low-penetration fixing methods, ensuring the integrity of waterproofing membranes while securely anchoring the panels. This type of mounting allows flexibility in orientation and tilt, optimising energy generation even on roofs with limited structural loading capacities.

While flat roof solar systems typically require careful consideration of shading between panel rows, their ease of installation, minimal visual impact, and straightforward maintenance make them highly attractive. In most cases, planning permission isn't required, as flat roof installations often fall comfortably within permitted development rules.

Fitting solar panels on your roof taps into free solar energy to generate clean electricity on-site, directly reducing your reliance on grid power and lowering energy bills by up to 70 per cent. High-efficiency photovoltaic cells convert sunlight into affordable solar power, cutting household electricity costs and protecting you from rising utility tariffs. Government incentives and feed-in tariffs further boost your return on investment, which is often repaid within seven to ten years, and any surplus electricity can be sold back to the grid for extra income. By choosing solar panels, homeowners secure long-term cost savings, predictable energy bills and increased property value.

Installing solar panels enhances your home’s market appeal and can increase property value thanks to improved energy efficiency and lower running costs. A high-performance photovoltaic system contributes to a higher Energy Performance Certificate rating, making your property more attractive to eco-conscious buyers and commanding a premium price. Sustainable solar power appeals to a growing market of homeowners seeking green credentials and long-term savings, while offering demonstrable return on investment. By integrating solar panels, you not only cut energy bills but also boost your home’s resale potential and investment value.

By installing a solar PV system paired with battery storage, homeowners can achieve true grid independence and energy self-sufficiency, generating and storing their own clean electricity on-site rather than drawing from the grid. This setup delivers uninterrupted backup power during outages, shields you from volatile utility prices and maximises the value of your solar investment. Advanced photovoltaic technology and lithium-ion batteries work together to capture surplus solar energy by day for use at night and in poor weather, enabling up to 100 per cent off-grid operation. Embracing solar panels for grid independence not only boosts energy security but also enhances your property’s green credentials and long-term savings.

Harnessing solar power on-site cuts household carbon emissions, replacing grid electricity generated from fossil fuels and substantially lowering your carbon footprint. High-efficiency panels convert sunlight into clean energy, reducing reliance on coal- and gas-fired power stations and shrinking greenhouse gas output. Over their typical 25-year lifespan, solar panels can save dozens of tonnes of CO₂, offering a practical way for homeowners to combat climate change and demonstrate genuine environmental responsibility.

By generating your own clean electricity on-site, solar panels provide a robust defence to mitigate rising electricity costs by reducing reliance on wholesale markets and national grid supply. Your solar array supplies a stable, self-produced power source that remains unaffected by energy price cap adjustments or seasonal tariff spikes. As utility providers shift rates in response to market volatility, adopting solar PV ensures a significant share of your household consumption is covered by predictable green energy. Coupled with smart monitoring and export agreements, you gain full control over generation, use and export of excess power, delivering lasting budget certainty and resilience against future cost escalations.

Solar panels are engineered for durability and require minimal upkeep over their 25-year lifespan. With no moving parts, routine maintenance is limited to periodic visual inspections and an occasional clean to remove dust or debris. Advanced monitoring systems track performance in real time, alerting you to any issues so you can address them promptly without costly service visits. Most installations come with comprehensive manufacturer warranties covering both panels and inverters, ensuring that any faults are repaired or components replaced at no extra cost. By choosing solar PV, you benefit from a nearly hands-free energy solution that delivers reliable performance year after year with only the simplest maintenance tasks.

Solar panels paired with battery storage systems provide reliable backup power whenever the grid fails, automatically switching to stored solar energy to keep your essential circuits or entire home running. Intelligent hybrid inverters detect outages instantly and draw from your on-site battery bank, ensuring critical appliances such as refrigerators, heating controls and lighting remain operational through the night or during extended blackouts. Scalable storage capacity lets you tailor your system to match household demand while optional generator integration offers extra redundancy for prolonged power interruptions. Remote monitoring and performance alerts give you peace of mind by flagging any issues in real time, so you can maintain uninterrupted energy security and true self-sufficiency.

Mark Golding
Head of Sales & Design

Joined Spirit in 2016

My aim at Spirit is to make sure we get the right renewable energy solution for your home or business. It is a great feeling to take yourself off grid and generate your own power without needing to worry about power cuts or an increasing energy price over the next 25 years.

I have an in-roof PV installation at my home with a zappi and eddi. Having the technology you sell on your own roof fitted by the company you work for really helps to understand how the system works and what sort of experience a customer expects.

Justin Parsons
Head of Installations

Joined Spirit in 2010

Justin is the backbone of the company and part of the leadership team. He has overall responsibility for the installers, electrical design and sign off of all systems as well doing a technical and structural survey for every project to ensure we can manage each job perfectly. His devotion and meticulous attention to detail has helped build Spirit into the reputable and trustworthy brand we are today.

You will most likely meet Justin on your technical & structural survey where he will plan your entire installation and run you through every minute detail.

St. Luke's Care Home - 132.86 kWp (Oct '25)

B&M Care Homes continue to expand their sustainability programme across the group, and St. Luke's is the latest site to progress with a high-impact solar PV installation. Following an initial feasibility discussion, Spirit Energy designed a 132.9 kWp rooftop system to help the home reduce electricity bills and cut carbon emissions while making full use of the available pitched roof areas.

Do Solar Panels Work In Winter?

Posted by Alicja Kopinska on 12 Dec 2025

TLDR:
Solar panels work throughout winter in the UK. Output is lower because sunlight levels drop, but panels continue generating on cloudy, rainy and cold days. Cold weather actually often improves efficiency. Hail damage is rare because panels undergo strict impact testing.

Residential Solar Panels
6,000+ Installations
Local Solar & Battery Specialists Since 2010

Welcome to Spirit Energy

Skip to solar mounting options

Lower energy bills

Increase property value

Become more grid independent

Reduce carbon emissions

Mitigate rising electricity costs

Expert installation and support

Why Choose Spirit Energy?

Residential Solar Mounting

Pitched Roof Solar Panels

In-Roof Solar Panels

Wall Mounted Solar Panels

Ground Mount Solar Panels

Flat Roof Solar Panels

How to learn more

What is the Best Solar Panel in 2025? How to Choose the Best Solar Panel?

8 Worst Mistakes To Make Installing Solar - Don't Waste Money

30% More Winter Solar Generation - Solar Panel Wall Mounts Part 2

Mitigating Shade from a Chimney - Enphase not worth it? - Sam's Case Study Pt 4

Octopus Energy vs Local Solar Specialist - Choosing a Solar Installer

The Steps to Getting Solar and Battery | From Enquiry to Installation

What are the benefits of solar power?

As Seen On

Mark Golding
Head of Sales & Design

Joined Spirit in 2016

Justin Parsons
Head of Installations

Joined Spirit in 2010

Accreditations

Latest Case Study

St. Luke's Care Home - 132.86 kWp (Oct '25)

Latest Blog

Do Solar Panels Work In Winter?

We've installed thousands of systems since 2010, helping to make buildings across the South of England more energy efficient, as well as helping people save money and reduce reliance on the grid.

Residential Solar Panels6,000+ InstallationsLocal Solar & Battery Specialists Since 2010

Welcome to Spirit Energy

Skip to solar mounting options

Lower energy bills

Increase property value

Become more grid independent

Reduce carbon emissions

Mitigate rising electricity costs

Expert installation and support

Why Choose Spirit Energy?

Residential Solar Mounting

Pitched Roof Solar Panels

In-Roof Solar Panels

Wall Mounted Solar Panels

Ground Mount Solar Panels

Flat Roof Solar Panels

How to learn more

What is the Best Solar Panel in 2025? How to Choose the Best Solar Panel?

8 Worst Mistakes To Make Installing Solar - Don't Waste Money

30% More Winter Solar Generation - Solar Panel Wall Mounts Part 2

Mitigating Shade from a Chimney - Enphase not worth it? - Sam's Case Study Pt 4

Octopus Energy vs Local Solar Specialist - Choosing a Solar Installer

The Steps to Getting Solar and Battery | From Enquiry to Installation

What are the benefits of solar power?

As Seen On

Mark GoldingHead of Sales & Design

Joined Spirit in 2016

Justin ParsonsHead of Installations

Joined Spirit in 2010

Accreditations

Latest Case Study

St. Luke's Care Home - 132.86 kWp (Oct '25)

Latest Blog

Do Solar Panels Work In Winter?

We've installed thousands of systems since 2010, helping to make buildings across the South of England more energy efficient, as well as helping people save money and reduce reliance on the grid.

Residential Solar Panels
6,000+ Installations
Local Solar & Battery Specialists Since 2010

Mark Golding
Head of Sales & Design

Justin Parsons
Head of Installations