Thinking about getting solar panels and battery storage but not sure where to start?
In this Solar Panels 101 video, Ian takes you through everything you need to know about getting solar panels installed, from how they're fitted to your roof through to inverters, battery storage, backup power and grid applications.
Filmed across real Apex Doma installation sites, this is a beginner-friendly guide to how a complete solar and battery system works.
Ian starts on the roof with our installation team, showing the mounting hooks, railings, wiring, panels and bird protection that go into a proper solar installation. He also explains the differences between in-roof and on-roof solar, how many panels you might need and what to consider when designing a system around your property.
We then move on to the electrical side, covering what inverters actually do, how batteries store energy, the differences between hybrid, string and micro inverters, and why battery capacity and inverter size are so important.
The video also looks at whole-house backup, gateways, battery warranties, where battery storage can be installed, and the difference between G98 and G99 grid applications.
If you're completely new to solar panels, comparing installation quotes or thinking about adding battery storage to your home, this video will help you understand the equipment, the process and the important questions to ask your installer.
Learn more about solar panels and battery storage:
Solar Advice Hub:
Solar panel installation:
Battery storage:
Chapters:
00:00 Solar Panels 101: The complete beginner's guide 00:30 How solar panels are fitted to your roof 00:50 Roof hooks, flashings and cable routes 01:09 Wind uplift and solar mounting calculations 01:52 Roof edges and installation clearances 02:09 Installing solar rails and wiring 02:26 In-roof vs on-roof solar panels 03:21 Why bird protection matters 04:03 Bird mesh vs Solar Skirt 05:07 Solar panel types and AIKO technology 05:55 Behind-the-scenes content 06:07 How many solar panels do you need? 06:38 South, east, west and north-facing roofs 07:29 Calculating your solar panel requirements 08:16 Solar generation throughout the year 08:40 Planning for future energy usage 09:05 Should you prioritise panels or battery storage? 09:47 Watch our fitters install a solar panel 10:49 What does a solar inverter do? 11:36 Inside a solar and battery installation 12:18 Stackable and all-in-one battery systems 13:26 How hybrid inverters work 14:17 What is a string inverter? 14:39 AC-coupled battery storage explained 15:29 Can you install a battery before solar panels? 15:55 What are micro inverters? 17:17 Battery storage sizing explained 18:05 How much battery capacity do you need? 19:03 Using smart meter data to size your battery 19:56 Expanding your battery storage later 20:19 Depth of discharge and usable battery capacity 21:14 Battery charging and discharging rates 22:09 Why battery charging speed matters 22:48 Choosing the right inverter size 23:33 How inverter output affects your home 24:41 Matching inverter size with solar panels 25:35 Why some installers use smaller inverters 26:32 How much space does a battery need? 27:31 Where can you install battery storage? 27:50 Battery installation safety and PAS 63100 28:57 Mixing battery and inverter brands 29:43 Battery warranties explained 31:20 What is whole-house backup? 31:43 How a Gateway works during power cuts 32:37 Whole-house backup vs limited backup 33:16 Sizing battery storage for power cuts 34:06 Gateway and inverter positioning 34:33 What is a DNO grid application? 34:49 G98 applications explained 35:16 When do you need a G99 application? 35:40 Grid export limits and G99 Fast Track 36:00 Final thoughts
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By: Apex Doma Solar Title: Solar Panels 101: Everything You Need to Know Before You Buy Sourced From: www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6EP2kTtVa8
