Solar Panel Installation
Blandford Forum
North Dorset's Local MCS & NICEIC Certified Solar Experts
Power your home in the Blackmore Vale with clean, renewable energy. Starks Solar helps homeowners in Blandford, Pimperne, and the Tarrants achieve energy independence with premium Solar, Battery, and EV solutions.
Get A Free Quote in BlandfordWhy Choose Starks Solar in Blandford?
Installing solar panels in a historic market town like Blandford Forum requires a delicate touch. You need a team that respects the Georgian architecture and understands the specific planning constraints of North Dorset.
Unlike national companies that apply a "one size fits all" approach, Starks Solar is a local business. We know the difference between a modern build in Blandford St Mary and a listed cottage in Durweston. We offer "In-Roof" integrated systems that sit flush with your slates, preserving the aesthetic of your home while slashing your bills.
- Heritage Experts: Experience working with Conservation Area rules.
- Rural Stability: Battery systems designed for unstable rural grids.
- In-House Team: We don't subcontract. We are your local experts.
- Bird Proofing: Free protection against jackdaws and pigeons.
Energy Solutions for the Blackmore Vale
We don't just do panels. We build complete energy ecosystems for rural and town homes.
Solar Panels
High-efficiency Tier 1 panels. We specialise in "All Black" panels for modern aesthetics and "In-Roof" systems for heritage compliance.
Battery Storage
Essential for rural Dorset. Store solar energy for the evening and keep your home running during power cuts in the Tarrant Valley.
EV Chargers
Commuting to Poole or Salisbury? Charge your car for free using sunshine. We install Zappi, Tesla, and Ohme chargers.
Solar in North Dorset: Heritage Meets Technology
Blandford Forum is unique. Rebuilt largely in the 18th Century after the Great Fire, it is one of the finest examples of a Georgian town in England. For homeowners, this history brings responsibility. While we all want to reduce our carbon footprint and escape rising energy prices, we must also respect the visual character of the town.
Navigating Conservation Areas
Many of our clients in Blandford town centre, as well as surrounding villages like Spetisbury and Charlton Marshall, live in designated Conservation Areas. A common misconception is that you cannot have solar panels in these zones. This is rarely true.
Permitted Development: Even in conservation areas, solar panels are often considered "Permitted Development" provided they are not installed on a wall or roof slope forming the principal elevation of the house and visible from the highway. This means rear extensions and garden facing roofs are often prime candidates.
Aesthetic Solutions: Where visibility is an issue, Starks Solar specialises in aesthetic solutions. We offer:
- In-Roof Solar: These panels replace the tiles rather than sitting on top of them, sitting flush with the roofline for a sleek, unobtrusive look that planners prefer.
- Ground Mounts: For properties with larger gardens in the Blackmore Vale, we can install arrays on the ground, hidden by hedges or outbuildings, completely bypassing roof restrictions.
Energy Security in Rural DT11
Moving out of the town centre towards the Winterbornes or the Tarrants, the priority shifts from aesthetics to security. The rural grid in North Dorset can be unstable, with overhead lines vulnerable to storms and tree strikes. Power cuts are an annoyance for some, but for rural homes with electric heating or water pumps, they are a major disruption.
This is why Battery Storage is not an optional extra here—it is a necessity. By installing a hybrid inverter with EPS (Emergency Power Supply) capability, your home can automatically switch to battery power during a blackout. Your freezer stays cold, your WiFi stays on, and your lights keep burning, all powered by the energy you stored earlier in the day.
The Financial Case for Blandford Homeowners
Property types in the Blandford area—often detached, larger family homes—are perfectly suited for high-yield solar systems. A typical 4-bedroom home with a south or east/west facing roof can accommodate a 6kW to 8kW system. Combined with a battery, this can result in:
- 70-80% Reduction in electricity bills.
- Smart Export Guarantee (SEG): Earning money by selling excess summer energy back to the grid.
- EV Savings: "filling up" an electric vehicle for pennies per mile compared to petrol.
Battery Storage in Blandford
[Image of solar battery system diagram]In North Dorset, solar panels are only half the solution. To truly secure your home against rising costs and grid instability, you need to store the energy you generate.
We install the latest Sigenergy and AI-driven storage systems. These are particularly popular in rural DT11 postcodes where power cuts occur. These systems allow you to store free solar power during the day and use it in the evening, or keep the lights on when the grid goes down.
- Backup Power: Essential for rural properties in the Blackmore Vale.
- Smart Charging: Charge from the grid overnight at cheap rates (e.g., 7p/kWh).
- Modular Design: Expand your storage later if you buy an EV or heat pump.
Frequently Asked Questions
Blandford & North Dorset
Can I install solar panels in a Conservation Area?
Yes, but careful design is required. In Blandford's conservation areas, panels are usually permitted if they are not on the street-facing elevation. We can also use "In-Roof" panels which sit flush with the tiles for a more sympathetic look that planners prefer.
My roof is thatched/small. Can I use my garden?
Yes. Ground-mounted solar is very popular in the Blackmore Vale for properties with land but unsuitable roofs. We use ground screws to install frames without concrete, preserving your land and offering a discreet solution.
Do your systems work during power cuts?
Standard solar inverters shut down during a power cut for safety. However, we specialise in installing Hybrid Inverters with EPS (Emergency Power Supply). This disconnects your home from the grid and powers dedicated circuits (lights, fridge, internet) from your battery during a blackout.
Are you local to Blandford?
Yes, we are a family-run business based in the region. We are not a national call centre. We know the local area, the grid constraints, and the planning officers.
Get Your Fixed Price Quote
Ready to start saving? Use our smart quote tool to see exactly how much a solar system in Blandford Forum could save you. It takes less than 60 seconds.
⚡ The Starks Promise
We don't do hard sales or cold calling. We provide a technical survey and a transparent fixed price. If you decide to go ahead, our local team installs your system within 4 weeks.