What Is Solar PV and How Does It Work?
Solar PV Systems:
Electricity from The Sun
Solar PV Systems
Solar PV Systems
Solar pv systems, also known as photovoltaics (PV), capture the sun’s energy and convert it into electricity that you can use in your home. Solar PV panels are normally mounted on the roof of your building although they can also be placed on the ground when a suitable roof is not available.
Solar PV systems are a sustainable, low-maintenance renewable energy system that can all year round electricity generation (except when its dark). A Solar PV can not only generate electricity from the sun’s energy but also contribute to heating your hot water through the use of an I-Boost.
- Solar panels can generate electricity even during cloudy days
- Solar panels go hand in hand with battery storage units that can be used to store energy for consumption in the evenings
- Any unused energy can be sold back to the grid
- The system is relatively easy to install and usually can be done on the same day your panels are installed. Alternatively, a battery storage system can be fitted to your existing system in most cases
Solar Photovoltaic Installations
Solar PV Systems
Solar pv systems are a popular renewable energy choice for both homeowners and businesses. On average, more than 4,000 solar panels are installed in the UK each month. The growing popularity of solar panels means that the prices have gone down by 60% over the past decade. Solar panels generate clean, emission-free electricity to power your home all year round, while their long life span of more than 25 years makes them a long-term good investment.
Pros of a solar pv Systems
The Benefits of Solar PV Systems
You can reduce your electricity bills by 50% and even more if you use battery storage. A typical 4KW system can save you up to 75% on your bills
As well as generating your own electricity, you will be contributing to a more sustainable planet and reducing your carbon footprint
You can combine solar PV with other renewable technologies such as heat pumps or solar hot water systems. These technologies work well with each other, as solar PV could help power a heat pump
Solar PV installations are low maintenance and often regarded as fit and forget. They require little maintenance and if installed correctly, will continue to generate electricity all year round
Disadvantages of Solar PV Systems
Disadvantages of Solar PV Installations
Like any new renewable energy systems, the initial capital costs can be expensive. A household with a family of 3-4 people would commonly have a 4kW system installed, which has a price range of approximately £6,000-£8,000
Although your property does not need to be south facing, Solar PV works best when the panels are in direct sunlight throughout the day. Any shading or nearby properties can reduce reduce the efficiency of your panels if there is any shading
Solar Electricity Installation
How Does Solar PV Work?
– Sun’s energy converted into DC voltage by PV panels on roof
– Inverter converts DC voltage into ‘useable’ AC voltage
– Generation meter records production
– Electricity generated used in household appliances during the day
– Unused electricity fed back into National Grid
What Is The Cost of Installing A Solar PV System?
The cost of installing a Solar PV array really does depend on a number of factors including the size of your property, size of your array and whether you install battery storage.
A 4KW solar pv installation will costs from £6500. This would typically include:
- A bespoke design, tailored to the property
- Installation schematics
- Lifetime technical support
- MCS support to successfully apply for the RHI (if applicable)
- Setup of remote energy monitoring
Solar PV Installations Costs
What Size Solar PV Systems Can I Install
| Household Size | System Size | System Cost | Annual Savings on Electricity Bill | SEG Payment | Break-Even Point |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small | 3kW | £5,000‑£6,000 | £160 | £75 | 21-25 years |
| Average | 4kW | £6,000‑£8,000 | £270 | £100 | 16-22 years |
| Large | 6kW | £8,000‑£10,000 | £430 | £150 | 19-23 years |
A Reality Check For Solar Electricity
Is A Solar PV System Right For My Property?
It is important that you make an informed decision when embarking on any investment. As energy prices increase, renewable energy systems are becoming increasingly more popular.
Use our reality form to see if a Solar PV system is the best choice for your property. For more information, please call us on 01827 870 950 or use the link below
Reality Check
This form is currently undergoing routine maintenance
Grants and Incentives
From April 2022, homeowners who want to install low-carbon heating measures in their properties in England and Wales could receive a £5000 grant from the Government to help fund some of the costs
So what does this mean for homeowners – When The Clean Heat Grant (Boiler Upgrade Scheme) is launched in April 2022, customers will need to contact an MCS (Micro Generation Certification) accredited organisation to carry out the installation. If you are interested in finding out more information about renewable energy technologies or how Renuvo can support you to ‘go green’, please follow the links.
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions about Solar PV systems
Having a south-facing property will mean your solar pv system will have direct sunlight, thus improving the efficiency and yield from your solar panels. However, solar pv also work on West/East facing roofs but will not get the same sort of yield as if it was south-facing
You do not need to install battery storage with your solar pv system. The battery storage is an additional to your install.
Yes, this is possible. Some older systems require an inverter upgrade when adding storage but it is possible to add any amount of batteries to your system
