Your roof is already out in the sun
Sunrake Solar designs and fits home solar with our own local crew. Start with a rough estimate, then we come out, measure up and give you a real quote.
Five parts, in plain words
- 1Panels
Turn daylight into direct current (DC). They need light, not heat, and the output rises and falls through the day.
- 2Inverter
Changes DC into the alternating current (AC) your sockets use. One unit on a wall, or a small one behind each panel if part of the roof gets shade.
- 3Battery, if you want one
Stores spare daytime power for the evening. Optional, and easy to add later if we plan for it now.
- 4Main panel
Your home uses solar power first, then tops up from the grid when it needs more.
- 5Meter and grid
Spare power can flow out to the grid. At night, and on dull days, you draw from it as usual.
From survey to switch-on, about eleven weeks
The work on your roof takes days. Most of the wait is paperwork, and we handle all of it.
We measure the roof, check the rafters and look at your main panel.
Panel layout, shading check and a written quote for you to approve.
We file the building or electrical permit with your local authority.
Your utility reviews the design. Often the slowest part, and we chase it.
Scaffold or roof anchors, rails, panels and wiring. Usually one to three days.
A local inspector checks the finished work, where your area asks for it.
Your utility gives the go-ahead, we commission it and set up monitoring.
Pay outright or finance it
Both get you the same system and the same crew. The right answer depends on your cash, your plans for the house and the loan on offer, so read the terms and ask questions.
We do not sell leases, because we want the system to be yours.
| Compare | Buy outright | Finance with a loan |
|---|---|---|
| You pay | The full price, usually in stages | A deposit, or nothing upfront, then monthly |
| Who owns it | You, from the day it is paid for | You, once the lender's terms allow it |
| Extra cost | None beyond the quote | Interest and any lender fees |
| Rate and term | Not relevant | Set by the lender after a credit check |
| Local incentives | Vary by area. We will tell you what we know | Same, but check how the loan treats them |
| Ask before signing | What is due at each stage? | Total repaid, early repayment terms, and what happens if you sell the home |
What is covered, and who you call
- Panel productFaults in the panel itself, such as failed connections or frame defects.Manufacturer
- Panel performanceA stated share of output over the years, as panels slowly age.Manufacturer
- InverterUsually a shorter term than panels, since it works hardest. Often extendable.Manufacturer
- BatteryStated capacity over a set number of years or charge cycles.Manufacturer
- WorkmanshipOur roof fixings, flashing, cabling and anything else we did on site.Us
Our own people on your roof
| Dara Pellow Lead installer | Runs the roof crew, talks you through day one |
|---|---|
| Noor Hallam Electrician | Fits the inverter, battery and connections |
| Luis Ferrant Roofer | Handles flashing and anything under the panels |
| Bea Tanaway Project coordinator | Files permits, chases the utility, sends Friday updates |
They found two cracked tiles on the survey and fixed them before a single rail went up. Nobody had asked them to look.
Grid approval took seven weeks. Bea sent an update every Friday, even when the update was that nothing had moved.
The crew were off the roof in two days and the driveway was cleaner than they found it. The app was set up before they left.
What people ask us on the driveway
Do panels work on cloudy days?
Yes, at lower output. Panels respond to daylight, so a bright overcast day still produces power and a heavy, dark one produces much less. Our design uses local sunlight records, not a best-case day.
Is my roof in good enough condition?
We check at the survey. Panels stay up for decades, so if the covering is near the end of its life it usually makes sense to replace it first. We will tell you plainly and show you photos.
What happens in a power cut?
A standard system switches itself off so it cannot send power to lines that crews are repairing. To keep circuits running you need a battery set up for backup, and we choose which circuits together.
Do I need a battery?
Not to go solar. A battery suits homes that use most of their power in the evening or want backup. If you are unsure, we can make the system ready for one later.
Will the panels damage my roof?
Fixings go into the rafters, and every penetration is flashed and sealed. If you need to re-roof later, we can take panels down and put them back for a set price.
What if I move house?
An owned system stays with the home and we can transfer the workmanship cover to the new owner. If you financed it, check your lender's terms first.
Book a free home assessment
About 45 minutes at your home, with no charge and no obligation.
- We look at the roof, shading and main panel
- Bring your last twelve months of power bills if you can
- You get a written quote within a week
- Prefer to start remotely? Send roof photos and a bill