Transitioning to renewables in Wales
Primary school teacher, Sian Griffith, installed solar PV on her home in Anglesey in 2021. Read all about why Sian wanted to invest in home-grown energy and her process of finding an MCS certified installer.
Sian’s switch to renewables
Sian grew up in the village where she now lives in a four-bedroom home with her three children. In 2021, she noticed that several of her neighbours had installed solar PV systems on their homes. Motivated by concerns about climate change, the desire to reduce her carbon footprint, and the potential savings on her energy bills, Sian decided to invest in solar PV.
Despite her parents having solar PV for about 10 years, Sian admitted she didn’t know much about the technology. However, driven by her environmental concerns and the potential savings, she contacted the Welsh Government’s Arbed am Byth scheme to arrange for a surveyor to visit and advise her on her options. Sian soon found out she qualified to have her panels installed free of charge.
Once the surveyor explained how they worked, Sian said it “made perfect sense” to have the PV installed on her home.
Sian’s solar savings
Sian estimates that she is saving around £100 a month on her electricity bills since having her MCS certified solar panels installed. One month during the summer her electricity supplier ended up owing her money due to how much she had exported back to the grid.
Sian also had a solar diverter fitted that takes surplus solar energy from the panels to heat her hot water when required; it also sends any remaining surplus back to the grid for which she receives payment from her energy supplier through the Government-backed Smart Export Guarantee.
Sian said that her MCS certified contractor provided her with instructions on how to make the most of her solar panels by “doing as many electricity-hungry activities, such as clothes washing, during the day when the panels were generating at their peak.”
“I’m much more aware of using electricity now. I can get up and put the washing machine on first thing in the morning, and with my smart meter I can see that it’s costing me nothing”, Sian said.
Having MCS certified solar panels installed was “an absolute lifesaver” for Sian and her family as she can power her home with free energy from the sun, saving her money on her energy bills.
MEET CHRIS ALLEN HEATING LIMITED
Chris Allen Heating Limited, an MCS certified contractor based in Llandudno, installed Sian’s MCS certified solar PV installation on her home.
Founder Chris and his team transitioned to small-scale renewables after more than 35 years of experience in installing traditional heating and electrical technologies.
When MCS certified contractor, Chris Allen Heating Limited, diversified into installing renewable energy systems, the company soon found solar PV was their most popular offering technology type with a ready and waiting consumer base.
Chris believes solar PV is the UK’s most popular small-scale renewable technology because of its instant impact: “Not only can the customers see the savings to their electric bill very quickly, but once installed, there are very few, if any, changes to how the customer uses the existing systems in their homes,” he commented.
He describes the move towards renewable technology and MCS certification as a natural transition, essential for the company’s continued viability, especially as homeowners recognise the importance of heat pumps and solar PV in the UK’s journey to net-zero. Chris has seen increasing interest from a broader demographic, as renewable technology becomes a viable and affordable solution for everyone.
If you’re thinking about getting solar PV installed on your home or small business, you can find an MCS certified contractor near you by visiting our MCS ‘Find a Contractor’ tool here.
You can find a number of grants and incentives that are available to support you in making the switch to home-grown energy more accessible and affordable here.
Keep in mind that your eligibility for incentives may vary depending on your location and the type of technology you intend to install.