What is it?

Photovoltaic (PV) systems convert light into electricity; this can be used to run household appliances and lighting.Many people have the misconception that solar panels will not work sufficiently in the UK as we don’t get enough sun; this isn’t true, in fact the UK receives 60% of the solar energy that the equator receives.

Also PV cells don’t need direct sunlight to work – you can still generate some electricity on a cloudy day.

How does it work?

PV cells are solar panels that can be attached to a roof, to walls,or stacked on a mounting system in a field or plot of land.

PV cellscontain silicon, a material that can convert light energy intoelectricity (as opposed to heat).

The brighter the light,the more electricity is produced. The electricity is then carriedthrough DC (direct current) cables to an invertor, where it isconverted into AC (alternating current) power to make it suitablefor consumer use.

This electricity can then be used to power our homes, farms, and businesses.

What is the expected life span?

Solar PV panels should be expected to last a minimum of 25 years, since there are no moving parts. Although, some experts suggest that 90% of modern solar panels last for over 30 years.

Is it suitable for me?

In order to tell if solar electricity is suitable for your premises, you must ask yourself these questions:

Do I have a sunny place to put the panels? – You will need a roof, wall or plot of land that faces within 90 degrees of south, and isn’t overshadowed by trees or buildings. If the surface is in shadow for parts of the day, your system will generate less energy.

Is my roof strong enough? – Solar panels are fairly light; most of the panels we offer weigh only 16.5kg. The majority of domestic household roofs are strong enough to take their weight. But we can check this and offer you more advice during your site survey.

Do I need planning permission? – In England, you don’t need planning permission for most domestic solar electricity systems, as long as they are below a certain size. But check with your local planning officer if your property:

Is a listed building

Is based in a conservation area

Can be seen from the road

Is a commercial building / property

What are the benefits?

The benefits of solar electricity systems include:

Reducing your carbon footprint – solar electricity is green and renewable, and it doesn’t release any harmful carbon dioxide (CO₂) or other pollutants. A 4kW system can save almost 2 tonnes of CO₂ per year, equal to        approximately 50 tonnes over it’s lifetime.

Reducing you electricity bills – sunlight is free! Once you have paid for the initial installation  your electricity costs will be significantly reduced, with possible savings of around £400 per year for a standard household. A 4kW system can produce approximately 80% of the electricity a domestic household uses in a year.

Making money from the energy you produce – most electricity suppliers will pay for power fed into the Grid (feed-in) from domestic solar PV systems. The easiest way to do this is by signing up to a Buy Back or Feed in Tariff scheme with your power supplier. You are paid for all of the electricity that your solar PV system generates even if you consume it in your  home. You are also paid for the electricity that is exported back to the Grid.

Increase the value of your property – the Energy Saving Trust states that having a solar electricity system installed on your property can increase the value by around £10,000.