Solar cells produce electricity through a process called Photovoltaic (PV). Photo refers to light and voltaic to electricity. PV systems use cells to convert solar radiation into direct current (DC) electricity. An inverter is used to convert your DC electricity into 230v AC electricity, which is used in your home. When sun light (photons) shine on the cell it creates an electric field causing electricity to flow. Solar cells work even during overcast conditions as the photons can penetrate cloud.
There are many different types of solar panels (e.g. Polycrystalline, Monocrystalline, Thin film and Hybrid) and they come in a variety of shapes and colours, ranging from grey solar tiles that look like roof tiles, to transparent panels that can be used on conservatories and glass to provide effective shading as well as generating electricity. We install and maintain all types of solar PV panels and systems, including off-grid systems. Solar PV panels can be mounted on roofs or the ground.
Once your installation is complete we can fit an energy efficiency meter which would allow you to monitor the electricity your system generates.
Solar PV systems generate no carbon emissions, with a typical domestic system saving approximately 1.3 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions per annum, which in turn could save 32.5 tonnes over 25 years.
Advantages of Solar PV
Your own clean energy power source
You are paid for the generation of your electricity
Reduce electricity bills
You are paid for your export electricity that you don’t use
Feed-In Tariff guaranteed for 25 years
Increases the value of your property
Long life span
Silent when in operation
No planning permission required (subject to listed buildings and conservation area status)
Off-grid systems are great for remote areas
Solar benefit calculator
£/kWh
£ benefit
System size
watts
Annual electricity generated
(assuming 85% is generated per kW installed)
2975
kWh
Annual income from energy generated
(FIT; 41.3p/kWh)
2975
kWh
0.413
1228.68
Annual saving of not paying for electricity
(assuming 70% of electricity generated is used)
2082.5
kWh
0.125
260.31
Annual income from electricity generated not
being used
and sold back to the grid (assuming 30% of electricity
generated is not used and minimum of 3p/kWh)
892.5
kWh
0.03
26.78
Total annual return on investment
1515.76
Total benefit over 25-year lifetime of the tariff
(this hasn't taken into account any rise in energy prices or inflation)
37894.06
Example 1 of total benefit assuming RPI of 1.5% p.a. and energy-price
inflation of 2.5% p.a. from £0.125/kWh and export remains £0.03/kWh
43816.78
Example 2 of total benefit assuming RPI of 2.5% p.a. and energy-price
inflation of 5% p.a. from £0.125/kWh and export remains £0.03/kWh
51703.80
CO2 reduction
Annual CO2 emission reduction calculated on the generated electricity
(kg/year)*
1567.83
Total CO2 emission reduction over 25 years calculated
on the generated electricity (kg/year)*
