Solar PV

Solar Photovoltaic Panels

Photovoltaic (PV) systems are commonly used solar panel systems in the UK. Photovoltaic systems convert sunlight directly into electricity.

Solar cells are made of semiconductors, such as silicon, which absorb the sunlight and convert it into electricity.

Solar cells are connected electrically and packed together in a frame, commonly known as a solar panel. When you connect multiple solar panels together, they form a solar array. And, finally, when you add the cabling, brackets, inverter, and so forth, the entire system forms your solar panel system.

The electrical conductors are attached to positive and negative terminals, thus forming an electrical circuit. From there, the electrons can be captured in the form of an electric current (electricity). This current, together with the cell’s voltage (which is a result of its built-in electric field or fields), defines the power (or wattage) that the solar cell can produce, and is how solar panels convert sunlight into electricity.

Solar Panels

3 key benefits of solar panels are:

Electricity all year round – 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.
Increase the market value of your property & earn money from solar grants – Selling surplus electricity generated by your solar panels is another advantage that solar panels offer. You will not simply earn money from SEG, but also increase the market value of your house.
Reduce your carbon footprint – A solar-power reduces the carbon footprint and helps to eliminate domestic harmful emissions.

Grid-Connected vs. Stand-Alone PV Systems

Grid-connected systems make use of the local utility grid to ensure you are never without electricity. If your domestic solar panel system generates more electricity than your household requires in a day, this surplus energy can be exported back to the national grid. On the other hand, if you need more electricity than your solar panels have generated, the grid can supply this.

Stand-alone PV

Systems are not connected to the grid, but instead charge a solar battery system. These batteries store the electricity generated by your panels. To operate your appliances, the stored electricity from these batteries will be used. Stand-alone systems are used in areas that cannot be connected to a grid, and are typically more expensive than grid-connected systems because solar batteries are still quite costly.

Solar Battery Storage Systems

Solar batteries store electricity generated by solar power and let you to use it during the evenings when your solar panels are not generating electricity. You can make use of solar batteries whether you are connected to the grid or not.

Solar Thermal Collectors

Solar thermal panels use sunlight to heat up water that is stored in a cylinder, which can then be used for your home heating needs. Solar thermal panels are roof-mounted, just like solar PV panels, but look slightly different, as instead of cells they have multiple pipes that heat up water. A related technology is thermodynamic panels, which extract heat from the ambient air.

Both solar thermal and thermodynamic panels can be used for space heating, but most commonly they provide the domestic hot water (DHW) needs of households.

3 Main Factors Affecting Solar Panel Efficiency

You’ll want to maximise your solar panel efficiency to get the most out of your solar investment and to cut your expenditure on utility bills. Key factors to consider are location, angling, direction, roof suitability, size of the solar panel system, and correct maintenance. Let’s have a look one by one.

2. Roof Suitability

When considering solar panels for your roof, it is important to take into consideration whether the roof is strong enough to support the weight of the solar system. For example, a 4kW system normally has 16 panels of 250W, adding up to a total weight of approximately 280kg.
Nowadays, most materials are suitable to hold solar panels — it’s only slate and wooden roofs that may be too brittle.
In addition, consider if your roof is large enough to have solar panels on it. You will need at least 30 cm of space around your solar panels, so you need to take this into account when calculating how much roof space is available. For example, a 4kW system having 16 panels requires at least 29 m2

1. Location, Angle, and Direction

Is the PV system located and angled so that solar cells can capture the maximum amount of sunlight? In the UK, you want to ensure that your solar panels are exposed to sunlight from 9 am to 3 pm.
Assessing your roof’s suitability to withstand solar panels is a crucial step in determining the efficiency of the system. The orientation and angle of your roof have a lot to do with how much sunlight exposure your panels will get.
The optimal direction for solar panels is south-facing, as it would mean the panels are exposed to sunlight for as long as possible. According to Stanford University, a 34° roof tilt angle is the best position for solar panels in the UK.

3. Size of the Solar Panel System

Solar cells come in all kinds of different shapes and sizes. The bigger the solar panel system, the more electricity is generated. After having calculated your electricity needs, you’ll get a better idea of what size panel you need.
Monocrystalline panels are known to be the most efficient type of solar panel on the market, meaning you will require fewer panels (and therefore less roof space) to generate as much electricity as a polycrystalline system would..

How Many Solar Panels Do You Need?

A 4kW solar panel system would require approximately 16 solar panels with a 250W power output, while a 5kW system comprises 20 solar panels.

How many solar panels you need to power your home depends on a few factors:

Your current electricity consumption
Your energy goals (how much of the consumption you plan to cover)
Your roof capacity
The number of sunshine hours in your area

As these factors differ from home to home, so it is important to assess each household uniquely.

How to Calculate Your Solar Needs?

Check your electricity bills to get your power consumption (in kWh). You can either calculate month by month or add your monthly/quarterly consumption together for an annual figure.
Decide on how much of your electricity bills you want to cover with your solar panels — this can be anything from 10-100%. Your decision will affect the system size and costs.
Calculate how many solar panels actually fit your roof. An average solar panel takes about 1.44 m² of roof space. Don't forget to include at least 30cm from the roof's edge. Adjust the system size if you realise that you don't have enough space for all the pane

Do Solar Panels Increase the Value of Your Home?

Solar panels can increase the value of your home as they make your house more energy-efficient. This is one of the home improvements that make your home more attractive to potential buyers, as the new owners can enjoy the same benefits of reduced electricity bills.

Naturally, the size of the solar panel system will affect just how much the value will increase, and bear in mind that different families will have different energy expenditure habits. That means that one system may be adequate for some families and inadequate for others.

Are There Grants for Solar Panels in the UK?

The new ECO 4 funding is now available for solar panels. Through ECO4, the government had allocated £4 billion towards the installation of solar panels and heat pumps across the UK.

In the UK, you can also earn moneyon your solar panels through various solar panel funding opportunities. Currently, there is the Smart Export Guarantee where you can earn money by exporting surplus energy back to the grid.

Do You Need Planning Permissions for Solar Panels?

In England, Scotland, and Wales, you are not required to apply for any planning permissions for most domestic solar panel installations — for both PV and heating installations.

There are, however, restrictions on installations of certain sizes. If your solar panels protrude more than 200mm from your roof, you will need to apply for permission first.

In addition, if your building is within a conservation area, you will need to adhere to some planning permission guidelines.

Do Solar Panels Affect House Insurance?

In most cases, when you install solar panels on your roof, your insurance should cover you under the current terms. However, since a solar panel installation results in a change to the home structure, it is always advised to contact your current insurance provider before proceeding with the installation.

It’s important to note that your home insurance may not include a cover for any damage by your solar panel or theft of the system. Therefore, it’s important to confirm with your insurance provider that your panels will also be covered.

Installing solar panels is a worthwhile investment for both homes and companies. They are a great step towards sustainability, reduce utility bills, and can even be a way for you to earn money back.

7-Step Domestic Solar Panel Installation Guide

The solar panel installation process must be done correctly in order to get the most out of your solar panel system, otherwise your panels will not reach their peak efficiency rate.

Before installing your solar panels, we as an MCS-certified installer will come and assess your roof. We will look at basic factors, such as roof orientation and angling, roof size, and how strong your roof is (to know how much weight it can hold).

Step 1: Erect the Scaffolding

To ensure safety for the installation team, scaffolding will be erected around your house.

Step 2: Attach Roof Anchors

After the scaffolding is set up, the installation team arrives. The team starts out by attaching the roof anchors, which will hold the base for the solar panels. The types of anchors used depends on the type of roof tile your home has.

Step 3: Attach the Frame

After the anchors have been installed, it’s time to attach the frame, which is made up of aluminium bars. The bars must be fitted in a straight direction and parallel to one another.

Step 4: Install the Solar Panels

Once the frame has been attached, the installation of the solar panels can begin. The panels are clamped to the aluminium frame — but not too tightly at first, in order to have some space to adjust them slightly later. Once all panels are set up in their position, they are firmly secured to the frame.

Step 5: Wire the Solar Panels

Now that the panels are fastened securely to the frame, the next step is to wire them. In most cases, the panels come wired from the manufacturer. However, these wires must be connected to the inverter, which would typically be in the attic. The inverter is a component of the solar array that converts the absorbed energy from the panels into AC electricity, which can then be used by household appliances. During the time of the wiring installation, the electricity supply to the household will need to be shut off.

Step 6: Make Final Connections to the Consumer Unit

After the panels are wired to the inverter, the final connections to the consumer unit will be made. A generation meter will also be connected, which measures how much electricity your panels actually produce. Smart meters and solar panels work together very well and can make meter reading far easier.

Step 7: Test the Solar Panels

After the panels, the inverter, and the generation meter are all wired together, the installation needs to be tested. Once this is complete, the solar panel installation process has been successfully completed.

Why solar power your business with solar?

Solar power gives your business the independence to reduce its operating costs by taking control of your energy needs. With solar, you can protect your company from rising energy expenses while also generating revenue from renewable energy subsidies. Solar panels also increase the value of your property and send a message about the sustainable values of your business.

A wise investment

By partnering with us you’re making a secure investment for your company’s future. Our Panels are backed by an industry-leading 25-year Limited Manufacturer’s Warranty and a strong track record of reliability and performance in the field.