What Is PV?
PV solar panel systems are a way of creating your own electricity using natural daylight. Photovoltaic systems use photovoltaic (PV) cells to convert solar radiation into electricity. The PV cell consists of one or two layers of a semiconducting material, usually silicon. When light shines on the cell it creates an electric field across the layers, causing electricity to flow. This can be used to run electrical appliances and lighting.
Solar PV or solar photovoltaic systems generate electricity from daylight. You do not need full sunlight to produce electricity. Solar panels will generate electricity in any weather as long as there is daylight. The greater the intensity of daylight, the more power your system will generate.
For an installation to be effective you should have a south facing (south west through to south east) aspect but this does not need to be the roof of your house. It could be the roof of any building - garage or outbuilding or it could be an area of land or garden suitable for ground mounted installation.
In most cases planning permission is not required unless your property is a listed building, situated in an "Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty", in a local conservation area or a World Heritage Site.
What Are The Benefits?
PV solar panel systems are one of the most popular forms of renewable energy. There are a number of ways in which you can benefit from the installation of a PV solar panel system.
Once installed and connected to the national grid, Government backed schemes mean you can get paid for all electricity your produce. The tariffs have been introduced by the Government to help increase the level of renewable energy in the UK towards a legally binding target of 15% of total energy from renewables by 2020.
- Government guaranteed payment of up to 41.3p* per KW for all energy generated. Set to increase by 5% April 2011.
- Surplus electricity can be sold to the utility companies for 3p per KW.
- Payments are index linked and tax free, so payments will increase in line with inflation.
- Government payments are guaranteed for 25 years.
Savings can also be substantial, your own clean, independent renewable power source will allow you to save money on your electricity bills and protect you from rising electricity prices in the future.
A 2 KW system (about 16m²) could provide around 50% your electricity needs as well as generating enough income through the feed-in tariff to say goodbye to electricity bills.
At current rates you can expect to earn over a £1,000 a year with a 2.5kWp system. In addition you will reduce your carbon footprint, saving upwards of 1,000 kg of CO2; a year. The bigger your system the more you save and there is no need to change your lifestyle or your supplier.
In addition:
- Works all year round
- Little maintenance
- Silent in operation
- 25 year manufacturer guarantee
- Installing a PV solar panel system can increase the value of your house by an average of 8.3%
*for commercial properties, feed in tariff is from 31.4p ore KW