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Solar PV

Key Benefits

Reduce your electricity bill by up to 100% (and even sell back to the grid!)
Payback period typically 10-15 years, with future savings of £1000's every year thereafter
Protect against hikes in electricity prices, e.g. a £600 bill this year could become £1200 in 5yrs and £2400 in 10yrs - with solar PV, you could be saving this amount instead of paying it!
Most effective with both on-grid and battery-backup systems
Life expectancy typically 20-35 years
Add £1000's in value and a unique selling point to your property

What is Solar PV?

Solar Photovoltaic (PV) systems absorb energy from the sun and convert it into electricity for running appliances and lighting. Some systems are capable of providing excess electricity that can be sold back to the National Grid.

How does it work?

Put simply, photovoltaics (PV) are the direct conversion of sunlight into electricity. A PV array is installed on the best possible location on your roof, before being connected in series to generate a direct current (DC).

This direct current is then converted to alternating current (AC) through the use of an invertor. In turn, this is connected to your mains distribution box, thus providing electricity for the building in exactly the same way that traditional electricity is deployed.

In times when you are generating more than you are using, the excess can be fed back to the grid, while in times when you’re not generating enough, your demand will be met by your normal supply.

The benefits

PV systems produce no greenhouse gases and each kWp can save approximately 325kg of carbon dioxide emissions per year, adding up to about 8 tonnes over a system's lifetime.

Is it suitable for my home or business?

You can use PV systems for a building with a roof or wall that faces within 90 degrees of south, as long as no other buildings or large trees overshadow it. If the roof surface is in shadow for parts of the day, the output of the system decreases.

PV arrays now come in a variety of shapes and colours, ranging from grey 'solar tiles' that look like roof tiles to panels and transparent cells that you can use on conservatories and glass to provide shading as well as generating electricity.

How much does a Solar PV system cost, and what will I save?

Prices for PV systems vary depending on the size of the system to be installed, type of PV cell used and the nature of the actual building on which the PV is mounted. The size of the system is dictated by the amount of electricity required.

For domestic systems, costs vary between £4000 - £9000 per kWp installed, with most homes requiring 2 - 3 kWp.

Solar tiles are another - albeit more costly - option, however, if you are repairing a section of roof or building a new one, then they are a more viable option.

A typical system installed on a south-facing roof will provide a saving of roughly 35%-75% off your electricity bill, however, if you have the budget and space then you may be able to exceed this. Note that solar PV only generates electricity in daylight so the energy must either be consumed as it is being generated, stored for later use or exported to the National Grid (which can earn you money).

If you are a business owner then you may benefit more from direct consumption of solar PV generated power because as businesses use more electricity during daylight hours and at peak rates.

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