Homeowner Blog

George Riley

Recent Posts

What’s the Best Electricity Tariff?

George Riley · 13 Aug 2020

We’re often asked by our customers which is the best electricity tariff, especially when they’re investing in their own renewable energy systems. There are lots of energy suppliers, with prices varying by location and various contract commitments. But there are particular types of tariffs that we’d recommend looking at, depending on your circumstances:

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Topics: Battery storage, EV charging, Tariffs, Solar PV

Smart Solar Homes May Eliminate Peak Demand

George Riley · 29 Jul 2020

Recently the Solar Trade Association (STA) published a report modelling the impact of solar PV, battery storage and smart home controls on the UK’s electricity supply and demand. In particular it examines how these technologies can help balance the grid as it becomes ever more complex and under pressure.

We’re going to dig into how solar PV can integrate with smart homes to reduce or even eliminate peak demand.

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Topics: Battery storage, EV charging, Solar PV

Meet the Andersen A2 Charger

George Riley · 24 Jul 2020

As EVs become a part of daily life for more and more of us, the humble chargepoint is no longer just a plug socket. It’s the brains behind intelligent, economic charging. It’s a device that has to stand up to use day in, day out. It’s a feature of the look and feel of our homes.

One chargepoint excels in all these regards and is a cut above the rest in the design stakes - the Andersen A2. And we’re delighted to announce that Spirit is now an Andersen approved installer.

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Topics: EV charging

Lichen on Solar Panels

George Riley · 15 Jul 2020

Solar panels perform best when they are clean. Any dirt or growth on the modules can block out sunlight and have a substantial impact on power output. Perhaps the hardest form of soiling to remove is lichen on solar panels.

But why does it grow on solar arrays and how can we deal with it?

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Topics: Maintenance, Solar PV

How Many Solar Panels Are You Allowed on Your House?

George Riley · 01 Jul 2020

Some of our clients are surprised to learn that there can be limits on the number of solar panels they can get on their roof, beyond the obvious physical and cost limitations. In fact, for solar PV systems over a certain size, grid permission is needed before installation can go ahead.

In this post, we’ll explore how many solar panels you’re allowed to install without prior permission, and how we can help you determine the maximum possible allowance for your property.

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Topics: Solar PV, Inverters

Buying or Selling a House with Solar Panels

George Riley · 30 Apr 2020

Whether you’re looking to buy a house with solar panels or it’s come time to sell your property and its PV system, you may have some questions. We’ve gathered the common queries to answer based on our years of experience supporting solar PV owners.

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Topics: Solar PV

Free Solar Panel Health Checks and Other Scams

George Riley · 23 Apr 2020

We’re regularly contacted by customers, who have received an unsolicited call or letter from another company, offering them a ‘free solar panel health check’ or warning about their solar PV system being at risk of failing. This is a common scam.

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Topics: Maintenance, Solar PV

Is Now the Time to Buy an Electric Car?

George Riley · 07 Apr 2020

Is now the time to buy an electric car?

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Topics: EV charging

Coronavirus: Spirit is Open for Business

George Riley · 23 Mar 2020

We’d like to reassure you that we are determined to serve our customers and continue driving the switch to renewable energy during the COVID-19 outbreak.

We are following government advice to keep our staff and customers safe, and will update you on any changes to our operations.

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Topics: Spirit Energy news, Solar PV

How to Run Your House on Solar Power and Renewable Energy

George Riley · 05 Mar 2020

Many of our customers are keen to use as much of the solar energy that their home generates as possible in the home. Not only will this reduce bills, it will also increase energy independence.

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Topics: Battery storage, EV charging, zappi, Solar PV