Solar PV
Compare system size and estimated annual generation.
GENERATE AT HOME
Compare solar panels, batteries and installer quotes
A useful solar comparison separates panel output, inverter design, roof constraints, household demand and export assumptions instead of relying on one savings headline.
Decision routes
Start with the outcome, not the advert
Home battery
Store solar or tariff electricity with visible round-trip losses.
Solar plus EV
Coordinate charging windows with generation and household load.
The CoolCompare check
Four things to compare before committing
Plan a UK solar-PV system around roof suitability, generation estimates, self-consumption, battery value and a clear installation quotation.
Roof and shadingOrientation, pitch, usable area and shade shape production.
System designPanel, inverter and string design should be documented.
Self-consumptionDaytime demand determines how much generation is used at home.
Battery economicsModel usable capacity, losses, warranty and tariff strategy separately.
Solar equipment shortlist
Panels and storage with the assumptions exposed
Panel wattage is only one input. Compare roof yield, inverter architecture, shading, warranties, usable battery capacity and the installer’s generation model.
A compact 470Wp panel with 22.6% published efficiency for roofs where useful area is constrained.
Another high-output residential panel to compare on dimensions, electrical design and installer warranty route.
A 10kWh ecosystem battery; value depends on usable energy, inverter compatibility and tariff strategy.
Alpha Pure-RX 470
- Rated power
- 470Wp
- Module efficiency
- 22.6%
- Year-25 output
- 92% minimum
- Product warranty
- 20 years standard / 25 ProTrust*
Makes sense where roof area is valuable and the certified-installer warranty conditions are acceptable.
+ Pros
- 22.6% published efficiency
- 92% minimum year-25 output
- Compact high-output panel
− Cons
- ProTrust benefits have installer and registration conditions
- Premium equipment may not deliver the best payback
- Roof layout can negate panel-level advantage
! Complaints & watch-outs
- Warranty disputes can become installer-versus-manufacturer questions; retain serial numbers, registration and installer paperwork.
- Do not treat panel warranty as cover for roof or workmanship issues.
Neostar 2S 470
- Rated power
- 470W
- Dimensions
- 1757 × 1134mm
- Cell platform
- ABC / back-contact family
- System check
- Confirm inverter string limits
Compare when high output per panel is useful; require the installer to model the exact roof layout and inverter string.
+ Pros
- 470W in a residential format
- Back-contact cell design
- Useful where panel count is constrained
− Cons
- Exact model revision must match the quote
- String voltage/current compatibility needs checking
- Newer product generations have less long-term field history
! Complaints & watch-outs
- Confirm the installed model code rather than accepting a generic ‘AIKO 470W’ description.
- Get labour, removal and shipping treatment under warranty in writing.
Home Battery 400V
- Nominal capacity
- 10kWh
- Architecture
- High-voltage battery
- System scale
- Up to 3 batteries stated
- Compatibility
- SolarEdge ecosystem check required
Consider when solar shifting or time-of-use operation has a modelled benefit—not simply to maximise self-consumption.
+ Pros
- 10kWh nominal capacity
- Integrated SolarEdge ecosystem
- Up to three batteries stated
− Cons
- Ecosystem compatibility limits flexibility
- Backup capability is not automatic
- Battery value is sensitive to tariff and usage assumptions
! Complaints & watch-outs
- App, communications or commissioning issues can make a healthy battery appear unavailable.
- Clarify who supports inverter, battery, meter and internet connectivity after installation.
READ BEFORE SHORTLISTING
Panel ratings are measured at standard test conditions. A higher-watt panel does not guarantee a higher-yield roof. Installed pricing must come from a property-specific, itemised quote.
Side-by-side
Compare the main routes
A quick orientation before you request prices or commit to a contract.
| Decision | Solar only | Solar + battery | Solar + EV |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main value | Generate daytime electricity | Store and shift energy | Use generation for driving |
| Key input | Roof and annual yield | Half-hourly demand profile | Vehicle mileage and home time |
| Extra losses | Inverter conversion | Battery round-trip losses | Charging and conversion losses |
| Quote focus | Layout and yield assumptions | Usable capacity and warranty | Charger integration and controls |
Before you buy
Your quote and contract checklist
Save this list and use the same questions with every provider. Comparable inputs produce a more useful comparison.
- 01
Roof planShow panel positions, shade assumptions, access and structural considerations.
- 02
Generation modelRecord system size, orientation, losses and annual-yield method.
- 03
Equipment scheduleName panels, inverter, optimisers, battery and monitoring platform.
- 04
Commercial assumptionsSeparate self-use, import price, export price and degradation.
Start here
Essential solar guides
Three practical reads that frame the decision without sales pressure.
ROOF01
Is my roof suitable for solar?
Orientation, shade, usable space and roof condition.
Read the key answers ↓BATTERY02
Do I need a home battery?
Compare usable capacity with when the household consumes energy.
Read the key answers ↓QUOTES03
How to compare solar quotes
Put design, yield and warranty assumptions on one page.
Read the key answers ↓Plain-English answers
Frequently asked questions
General UK guidance. Product, property, tariff and policy details still need individual verification.
Do solar panels need a south-facing roof?+
No. Other orientations can generate useful energy, but expected yield and the timing of generation change.
Does a battery always save money?+
No. Value depends on usable capacity, cycling, losses, tariffs, warranties and the household demand profile.
What is self-consumption?+
It is the share of solar generation used in the home rather than exported. Timing of demand is crucial.
Which number matters most in a quote?+
No single number is enough. Compare layout, annual yield assumptions, equipment, losses, self-use and warranty terms together.
Connected decisions