Blackpool Archives - West Coast Electrical & Renewables

Do I Need Planning Permission for an EV Charger?

If you are considering installing an electric vehicle charger at home, you may be wondering whether you need to contact your local council first. In many situations, planning permission for an EV charger is not required because the installation can fall within permitted development rights in England. However, there are conditions and exceptions, so it is important to consider where the charger will be installed and the type of property you live in. At West Coast Electrical & Renewables, we install home EV chargers across Blackpool, Poulton le Fylde, Thornton Cleveleys, Lytham St Annes, Preston and surrounding areas. As part…

Westcoast ElectricalOctober 23, 2026

Electrical Latest News Renewables

Does My Consumer Unit Need Upgrading for Solar Panels?

If you are considering solar PV, you might be wondering whether your existing fuse box is suitable. A consumer unit upgrade for solar panels is not automatically required. However, your electrical installation does need to be assessed before solar PV is connected. The condition, age and configuration of your existing consumer unit can all affect what work is needed. At West Coast Electrical & Renewables, we are both electrical contractors and renewable energy installers. Therefore, we can look at the complete electrical installation rather than considering the solar panels in isolation. Some properties are already suitable for solar PV. Others…

Westcoast ElectricalOctober 21, 2026

Latest News Renewables

Can I Add Battery Storage to Solar Panels on a new-build home?

If you have moved into a new-build property with solar panels already installed, you may be wondering whether you can add a battery. Battery storage for new-build solar is becoming an increasingly popular option for homeowners who want to make greater use of the electricity their existing solar PV system generates. At West Coast Electrical & Renewables, we carry out battery only installations on new build properties where solar PV is already in place. In some homes, the existing solar array provides a suitable starting point for adding battery storage. However, other properties may also have unused roof space that…

Westcoast ElectricalOctober 19, 2026

https://westcoastelectrical.uk/ev-charger-installers-blackpool

Latest News Renewables

Can I Charge a Home Battery on a Cheap Overnight Tariff?

Yes, you can charge a home battery overnight if you have a compatible battery system and electricity tariff. In fact, home battery storage is no longer just about storing electricity generated by solar panels. Many households now use their battery alongside a time-of-use tariff to take advantage of cheaper electricity at certain times of the day. The basic idea is simple. Your battery charges when electricity is cheaper, often overnight. Then, when electricity becomes more expensive, your home can use energy stored in the battery instead of drawing as much electricity from the grid. However, there is more to consider…

Westcoast ElectricalOctober 16, 2026

Latest News Renewables

Should You Get the Electrics Checked Before Buying a House?

Buying a house is a big investment, so it makes sense to understand the condition of the property before you commit. However, one area that can sometimes get overlooked is the electrical installation. Should you get the electrics checked before buying a house? While an electrical inspection is not always a requirement when purchasing a property, it can give you useful information about the condition and safety of the electrical system. This can be particularly relevant when buying an older property. Across Blackpool, Poulton le Fylde, Thornton Cleveleys, Lytham St Annes and the surrounding Lancashire areas, there are many homes…

Westcoast ElectricalOctober 7, 2026

Latest News Renewables

Do Solar Panels Need Servicing?

Do solar panels need servicing? Not in the same way as a boiler, car or air-source heat pump. There is no annual oil change, filter replacement or traditional service required for the panels themselves. In fact, solar panels are relatively simple pieces of equipment with no moving parts. However, that does not mean a solar PV system should be installed and completely forgotten about. The panels are only one part of the installation. Your inverter, isolators, cabling, mounting system and, where installed, battery storage all form part of the wider system. Therefore, while the panels themselves need very little attention,…

Westcoast ElectricalSeptember 14, 2026

Latest News Renewables

Are Plug In Solar Panels Safe? What UK Homeowners Need to Know

Plug in solar panels are now legal to buy and use in the UK, giving more households an opportunity to generate some of their own electricity. However, if you have seen these lower cost systems advertised, you may be wondering: are plug in solar panels safe, and how do they compare with professionally installed rooftop solar? For some households, plug in solar could be a useful option. In particular, it may appeal to renters, people living in flats or those without suitable roof space. However, homeowners with a suitable roof should understand the significant differences between an 800W plug in…

Westcoast ElectricalSeptember 7, 2026

Latest News Renewables

How Do I Know If My House Needs Rewiring?

If you are asking, does my house need rewiring, there may already be something about your electrics that has caught your attention. Perhaps your property has an older fuse box, you have noticed damaged sockets, or you simply do not know when the wiring was last updated. Whatever the reason, understanding the condition of your electrical installation is important. At West Coast Electrical & Renewables, we carry out electrical testing, fault finding and house rewires across Blackpool and the surrounding areas. Every property is different. Therefore, rather than judging an electrical installation on age alone, we look at its condition,…

Westcoast ElectricalSeptember 2, 2026

Latest News Renewables

Can I Add More Solar Panels to My Existing System?

Your electricity needs today may look very different from when your solar panels were first installed. Perhaps you now have an electric vehicle, work from home or plan to install an air source heat pump. You may also have unused roof space that could support additional panels. So, can you add more solar panels to an existing system? In many cases, yes. However, we need to consider the existing inverter, panels, roof space and grid connection before expanding a solar PV system. Why Add More Solar Panels? There are several reasons why homeowners decide to expand an existing solar installation.…

Westcoast ElectricalAugust 26, 2026

Latest News Renewables

What Is MCS Certification and Why Does It Matter?

You may have seen the MCS logo on a solar installer’s website or heard the term when researching renewable energy. However, what does MCS certification actually mean? More importantly, why should you check whether your installer is MCS certified before going ahead? MCS plays an important role in the UK renewable energy industry. It sets standards for small scale renewable technologies and the companies that install them. Therefore, choosing an MCS certified installer gives you additional assurance that recognised technical and quality standards apply to your installation. At West Coast Electrical & Renewables, we hold MCS certification for the renewable…

Westcoast ElectricalAugust 24, 2026

David Snelling

I couldn't be more impressed with West Coast Electrical Contractors. After initially getting a quote from Octopus, I felt like just another number—they seemed more focused on pushing the most expensive setup rather than understanding what I actually needed. Switching to West Coast was the best decision I made. As a family-run business, they brought a refreshingly personal and relatable touch to the entire process. They took the time to sit down, discuss my options in detail, and tailor a solar panel system specifically to my needs and budget. There was zero sales pressure or hassle at any point, just patience, clear communication, and total peace of mind. When it came to installation day, the fitting team was outstanding. They were exceptionally professional, polite, and worked with fantastic attention to detail. They were very mindful of the aesthetics of the house, ensuring all the wiring and panels looked incredibly tidy and well-integrated. If you want a highly skilled, honest, and genuinely supportive local team that puts the customer first, look no further. I really appreciate everything they’ve done and cannot recommend them highly enough!

Jon Flitcroft

Just had solar panels and battery storage fitted by West Coast. Fantastic experience, very professional and all completed as expected and on time. My only regret is I wish that I had got solar sooner. Highly recommend this company

Chris Wardle

Brilliant from start to finish (and beyond completion). Customer service is excellent, installation was quick. From reception, engineer and follow up care, this company is knowlegeable, professional, efficient and caring.

Chris Hamer

I've used West Coast Electrical a couple of times and found them to be very reliable and have good communication. They arrived when they said they would, did a very tidy install and didn't leave any mess. I highly recommend.

Peter O'Sullivan

Rang and spoke to Louise to book a EICR on a property we were looking at buying. Quickly arranged and booked. Unfortunately when the electrician turned up the home owner wasn't very cooperative. It ended up not getting done. I got a phone call straight away to advise me of this. However, from the quick check that had been done we were advised the electrics in the property would require some updating. We expected that to be honest. The home owner through his solicitors supplied an Electrical Installation Certificate of his own. Unfortunately it wasn’t something a lay person like myself could understand. At a loss at what to do I decided to ring Louise to see if I could send a copy over via e mail and ask if one of the trained electricians there could take a look at it. Louise could not have been nicer and friendly. Not only that but West Coast were extremely generous and refused to take any payment for what they had done for us. The help they gave us gave us a stronger bargaining position and we were able to get the asking price for the property reduced. The house will definitely want some work doing on the electrics and we will be looking to get an alarm, security cameras and lights fitted. Based on our extremely positive experience the first company we will be calling to see if they can do this work will be West Coast Electricals and Renewables.

jason holmes

I had a Hypervolt EV charger installed by West Coast and can honestly say they have been a please to deal with. I received a prompt response to my initial enquiry to a confirmed installation date the following week. The installer arrived promptly, kept me informed throughout the installation and cleaned up once it had been completed. West Coast electrical gave a true 5 star service and I would thoroughly recommend them. Jason Holmes

david atkinson

We had a 5kW Alpha ESS inverter and 10kW battery installed. The West Coast team were a pleasure to deal with throughout, from an efficient, attractive quotation to good communications to plan the install, then installation in a single day, commissioning and follow up support. The installation team were quick, respectful and very tidy. It is great to experience such excellent customer service and technical expertise!

graham tipping

After spending several months researching different companies I decided to go with west coast for my solar and battery installation and I'm very happy with the service I received, Scott was very knowledgeable and continues to be of help several months after install. Once I gave the go ahead it was all done and dusted within a week with the minimum of disruption and I can honestly say system is performing better than I expected, if your thinking of getting solar stop thinking about it because you won't regret it and I can highly recommend west coast, many thanks to Scott and all the team 👍

lee houghton

Full install of panels, battery and inverter undertaken by West Coast Electrical and Renewables by Scott/Luke and the team. From start to finish A1. So happy I chose this company out of the 1000’s phoning me daily after enquiries. No pushy sale, told me what I needed, best prices and the lads that installed the best in the business. No rush for funds, superb after sales support and I know if any issues then just give them a call. Anybody interested in PV then this company is the number 1. Thank you.

Geoffrey O'Donoghue

As I sit here on a sunny morning monitoring the app for my Solar panel installation ploughing electricity into the national grid I want to thank the West Coast team for their professionalism and support. The Installation went really well and the guys were great and very appreciative of the deserved hot drinks and chocolate biscuits. The back office team were really helpful in dealing with someone with little understanding of this technology. Thanks guys!

Blackpool

Do I Need Planning Permission for an EV Charger?

Does My Consumer Unit Need Upgrading for Solar Panels?

Can I Add Battery Storage to Solar Panels on a new-build home?

Can I Charge a Home Battery on a Cheap Overnight Tariff?

Should You Get the Electrics Checked Before Buying a House?

Do Solar Panels Need Servicing?

Are Plug In Solar Panels Safe? What UK Homeowners Need to Know

How Do I Know If My House Needs Rewiring?

Can I Add More Solar Panels to My Existing System?

What Is MCS Certification and Why Does It Matter?

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