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Yes — since April 2022, solar panels, battery storage, and other energy-saving materials are zero-rated for VAT in the UK. This 0% VAT rate applies until at least March 2027, saving you around £1,200-£1,800 compared to the standard 20% rate.

Most domestic solar panel installations fall under permitted development rights and do not require planning permission. Exceptions include listed buildings, conservation areas, and panels that project significantly above the roofline. D&R Energy handles all planning enquiries and will advise you during the survey.

The Smart Export Guarantee is a government-mandated scheme that pays you for surplus solar electricity exported to the grid. Rates vary by energy supplier. When combined with battery storage and a smart tariff, you can maximise the value of every kWh your solar panels generate.

D&R Energy follows a four-step process: consultation, property survey, custom design, then installation. The installation itself typically takes 1-2 days for a standard domestic system. From initial contact to completed installation is usually within 4 weeks.

We strongly recommend battery storage. Solar-only systems typically save 30-50% on electricity bills because you can only use solar power during daylight hours. Adding a battery increases savings to 60-95% because you store daytime solar generation for evening use, and can take advantage of cheap overnight tariff rates.

We install FoxESS Cube and Tesla Powerwall battery systems. The FoxESS Cube is modular and highly scalable, from 2.88kWh up to 41.94kWh. Tesla Powerwall provides premium whole-home backup capability with 13.5kWh usable capacity and a built-in inverter. Both systems can be monitored via smartphone apps.

FoxESS Cube battery prices start from around £3,000–£4,500 for a single module installation. Tesla Powerwall 3 (13.5kWh) costs £7,500–£10,000+ installed. All battery storage installed with solar panels qualifies for 0% VAT until March 2027. Contact D&R Energy for a personalised quote.

Yes — a home battery on a smart tariff can save £400–£800 per year even without solar. On Octopus Go (7.5p/kWh overnight, 24.5p peak), a FoxESS Cube charged overnight and discharged during peak hours saves significantly. Payback is 9–12 years. With solar panels added later, savings increase dramatically.

The best smart tariffs for solar and battery owners in 2026 are: Octopus Agile Export (3–31p/kWh variable, average ~15p — best SEG rate), Octopus Flux (import and export with time-of-use pricing), and Octopus Go (7.5p/kWh overnight charging for 5 hours). Pairing FoxESS Cube or Tesla Powerwall with Octopus Flux or Agile can deliver annual savings of £600–£900+.