This policy explains how Solaxyra researches, builds, tests and updates its calculators and guides. It applies to every page on the site and is maintained by the Solaxyra Editorial Team.
What Are Our Editorial Standards?
Every page should be accurate, useful and easy to check. In practice that means:
- Facts, prices, rates, standards and safety rules come from official or primary sources.
- Formulas are shown on the page, so readers can follow how a result was reached.
- Assumptions are stated plainly, and default values can be changed to suit your situation.
- Writing is in clear UK English, without exaggeration, sales language or invented claims.
- Safety information is never softened or left out to make a page shorter.
How Do We Research a Page?
- Define the question. We identify the practical question the calculator must answer and the inputs a real user will have to hand.
- Read the primary sources. We open and read the relevant official sources on the day of writing, rather than relying on memory or secondary summaries.
- Review what already exists. We look at the guidance people currently find for the topic to understand common questions and gaps. We never copy or reword other publishers’ text.
- Write the formula and assumptions. We record each formula, its units and its limits before building the calculator.
- Draft, build and check. The calculator and guide are drafted, tested and reviewed as described below.
Which Sources Do We Trust Most?
We use the following order of preference. A lower-ranked source is used only when a higher-ranked one does not cover the point.
- Regulators and governments: for example Ofgem, gov.uk and the European Commission, including the PVGIS solar data service from the Joint Research Centre.
- Standards bodies and official standards summaries: for example BS 7671 for UK wiring and IEC publications, and the Energy Networks Association for grid connection rules such as G98.
- Independent public bodies and statistics: for example the Energy Saving Trust, Eurostat and the International Energy Agency.
- Manufacturer documentation: datasheets and manuals for specific equipment ratings and behaviour.
- Reference works: for example encyclopaedia entries for standard physics definitions and units.
If a figure cannot be confirmed from one of these sources, we do not state it as fact. It becomes an editable input with a labelled example value, so you can enter the figure that applies to you.
How Are the Calculators Tested?
Before a calculator is published, and again after any significant change, we test it in three ways:
- Formula checks: results are compared with hand calculations and with the formula as written in the source, including unit conversions such as W to kW, mAh to Wh and mm2 to AWG.
- Edge cases: we enter empty, zero, negative, very large and unrealistic values to confirm the calculator shows a clear message instead of a misleading result.
- Worked examples: each guide includes a worked example with realistic numbers, and we confirm the calculator reproduces it exactly.
We also check that each calculator works on small mobile screens, can be used with a keyboard, and labels every input clearly.
How Often Is Content Updated?
Energy prices and rules change, so pages are reviewed on a schedule:
- Energy price cap: Ofgem sets the GB price cap for each quarter. When a new cap is announced, we update the default unit rates and standing charges on affected calculators.
- Tariffs and export rates: example tariff and export values are reviewed regularly and are always editable, because they vary by supplier and contract.
- Standards and regulations: when a relevant standard, grid connection rule or government policy changes, we review and update the pages it affects.
- General review: every page shows the month it was last checked, and pages are rechecked when readers report a problem.
How Do We Use AI and Other Software?
We are open about how pages are produced. Software, including AI tools, assists with research, drafting and code. It does not decide what is published. Every page and calculator is checked by the Solaxyra Editorial Team against the sources listed on that page before it goes live, and figures are not published unless they can be traced to a source or are presented as editable examples.
How Do We Handle Corrections?
If we get something wrong, we fix it. When a reader reports an error, we check it against the sources, correct the page or calculator if needed, and update the date the page was last checked. Significant corrections, such as a changed formula or a corrected safety statement, are noted on the page concerned.
To tell us about a mistake, please use the report an error page. For other questions about this policy, see our contact page.
Is Our Content Independent?
Yes. We do not accept payment to feature, rank or recommend products, suppliers or installers, and we do not sell user details as leads. More about how the site works is on our about page.
Last updated 7 October 2026 by the Solaxyra Editorial Team.