Why most solar quotes leave value on the table
Most solar quotes size the array to your roof — fit as many panels as fit, then sell the excess back to the grid at the export rate. That gets you a number, but it usually doesn't get you the best number.
The bigger savings come from using more of your own solar at home — running the heat pump on solar, charging a battery for the evening peak, and switching big loads (hot water, EV) to when the panels are producing.
That changes the design. The array gets sized around your real demand profile, not just your roof area. The inverter, the battery, the consumer-unit layout and the smart controls all link together.
How Thermova designs a solar system
We start with your annual electricity use, your heat pump (existing or planned), your EV charger if you have one, and a model of your daily demand curve. From that we work out: array size, panel orientation, optimal battery size, inverter spec, and where to put the export limit.
If you don't have a heat pump or EV today but plan to add one, we size with that in mind — so you don't pay twice when you upgrade.
What's included as standard
| Site survey | Roof orientation, pitch, shading, structural check, consumer-unit assessment |
|---|---|
| Solar PV array | Tier-1 panels sized to your demand (typical: 3.5kWp–6.5kWp for a three-bed home) |
| Inverter | Hybrid inverter ready for battery integration, with monitoring app |
| Battery storage (optional) | 5kWh–10kWh battery sized to your evening peak and tariff |
| DNO application | We handle the G98/G99 application with your distribution network operator |
| Smart Export Guarantee | We set you up with an SEG tariff so excess solar is exported at the best available rate |
| Commissioning & monitoring | Performance check on the day, app set-up, handover walkthrough |
Why pair solar with a heat pump
A heat pump's biggest electricity demand is on cold sunny winter days and shoulder-season afternoons — exactly when a solar array on a UK roof produces useful power. Pair the two and a meaningful share of your heating runs on your own generation.
Add a battery and the value carries into the evening peak when grid electricity is most expensive. With a time-of-use tariff (Octopus Cosy, Intelligent Octopus Go and similar), the battery can also charge from cheap off-peak grid and discharge during peak.
How we differ from a typical solar quote
- System-level design. Solar, battery, heat pump and tariff modelled together — not three separate quotes from three different installers.
- Honest sizing. Bigger isn't always better. We'll tell you when an array is oversized for your roof and tariff.
- Local installer, no sub-contracting. The team that surveys is the team that installs.
- Founder-led. Graham signs off on every design.
Frequently asked questions
How much solar do I need to run a heat pump?
Can I add a battery later?
What about feed-in tariffs and SEG?
How long does installation take?
Will solar work on a north-facing roof?
Do I need planning permission?
Explore further
Next step
See how much solar can power your home
Book a free survey. We model your demand, your roof, your heat pump and your tariff together — then give you a fixed quote with no obligation.