Solar Electricity (PV) Can Provide Up To 25% Of Your Usage

Solar Electricity (PV) Panels

What is it?

Solar panels for electricity (otherwise known as Photovoltaic or PV panels) use the sun's energy to produce electricity that can be used within the home with any surplus fed back into the national grid.

How does it work?

Solar electricity systems comprise single PV cells connected together to form modules, these are then connected together to form an array. When Sun shines on the array an electric field is created across two layers of semi-conducting material, the stronger the Sun, the greater the amount of power produced.

The amount of power produced depends upon the number of arrays installed, you can expect to generate approx 100 kWh per sq/m per year.

Solar Electrcity Method
  1. The solar PV panel generates DC electricity from the Sun.
  2. The inverter converts the DC supply into useable AC current suitable for the home.
  3. The power is fed into the mains.
  4. The PV solar panel produces electricity all day which is metered so you know exactly how much is being produced.
  5. The power is used within the home as you would normally, you won't notice any difference.
  6. You can sell any unused energy back to your electricity supplier.

How much?

Costs are very much dependant on many factors, including the number of panels installed, ease of installation etc. As a rough guide you can expect to pay around £5,500 (ex vat) for a system capable of producing 1 kilowatt, which is around 25% of your yearly electricity consumption, this would need around 7.5 sq/m of PV panels.

Do I require planning permission?

In conservation areas planning permission may be required, please consult your local authority for rules and regulations in your locality, if you live in a listed building you will not be allowed to attach solar panels to it, you may consider installing an 'A' frame hidden in the garden somewhere.

Benefits

  • A typical 1 kw system could produce up to 800 kw/hours per year which is around 25% of the average households electricity.
  • You can reduce your carbon dioxide emissions, a solar PV system could stop up to 16 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions in it's lifetime.
  • Modern technologies allow solar panels to make the best use of the british climate, even in cloudy/broken sunshine.
  • Your house value will increase, possibly covering the costs, if not more. A recent survey by MORI found people are willing to pay up to £10,000 more for a home built to high environmental standards.

Are there grants available?

There are grants available from the Low Carbon Buildings Programme (phase 2). You will need to obtain a quote from a certified installer and then apply for a grant.

Get a Free Solar Quote from British Gas