Advice Centre

Home battery systems are becoming increasingly common as more homeowners install solar panels, battery storage and smart energy technology. For most people, a battery is there to store excess solar energy during the day so it can be used later in the evening, or to charge overnight on a cheaper tariff and reduce electricity costs during the day. Those are still some of the biggest benefits of battery storage. However, battery systems may soon be capable of doing much more tha

When looking at a solar and battery system, one of the most common questions is: “If the inverter is 3.6kW, why have I got more than 3.6kW of solar panels?” It is a fair question, especially when a quote or invoice shows something like: 10 x 455W solar panels = 4.55kWp solar arraySigen 3.6kW Energy ControllerSigenergy SigenStor 9kWh battery storage At first glance, it can look as though the solar panels are too large for the inverter. However, that is not how a hybrid solar a

A Major Opportunity for Oil and LPG Heated Properties The Government has announced a significant increase to the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) for homes that are not connected to the gas network. From summer 2026, eligible homes currently heated by oil or LPG will be able to access a grant of up to £9,000 towards the installation of an air source or ground source heat pump. This is an increase of £1,500 compared with the standard Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant and has been introdu

From 1 July 2026, the Ofgem energy price cap is rising again. For a typical household paying by Direct Debit, Ofgem has confirmed that the energy price cap will be £1,862 per year from 1 July to 30 September 2026. This is up from £1,641 in the previous cap period. That is a rise of around 13%. It is important to be clear about what this does and does not mean. The price cap is not a cap on your total bill. It limits the amount suppliers can charge for each unit of energy and

If you are planning to install solar panels, battery storage or a larger inverter, you may hear your installer mention G98, G99, DNO approval, export limits or connection offers. These terms can sound complicated, but they are important. They can affect how quickly your system can be installed, how much power you are allowed to export, and whether there are any extra costs before your system can be fully connected to the grid. This guide explains what G98 and G99 mean, why so

Solar panels are designed to sit outside in all weather conditions, so it is easy to assume that rain will keep them clean enough. In reality, panels can gradually collect dust, pollen, traffic film, bird mess, leaves and general residue over time. This build-up may not always be obvious from the ground, but it can reduce the amount of sunlight reaching the solar cells. When that happens, your system may not perform as efficiently as it could. A Real Example We recently looke

Many people assume battery storage only makes sense if you already have solar panels. That is no longer always the case. While solar and battery storage work very well together, more customers are now considering battery-only systems to take advantage of cheaper electricity tariffs, reduce peak-time grid usage and gain more control over their energy costs. How does battery storage work without solar? A battery-only system can charge from the grid when electricity is cheaper,

Choosing a solar and battery system is a big decision, and most customers will compare more than one quotation before deciding who to use. The challenge is that not all solar quotes are easy to compare. One quote may look cheaper, but it might not include the same products, warranties, scaffolding, monitoring, bird protection, DNO applications or aftercare. Another quote may look more expensive, but could include a better-designed system and more long-term support. At M+S Ren

One of the most effective ways to save money and lower your carbon footprint is by investing in solar panels.