Solar PV - Photovoltaic Systems
Photovoltaic systems consist of a series of cells mounted into panels which you can attach to the roof or walls of your property. Each cell is made from one or two layers of semiconducting material, usually silicon. When light shines on the cell it creates an electric field across the layers. The stronger the sunshine, the more electricity is produced. Solar PV cells come in a variety of shapes and colours. The most cost effective panels are rectangular and a 200 watt panel will have a dimension of around 1.6m by 1m. The panels weigh approximately 25 - 30kilogrammes each. Panels can be integrated into the roof, fastened on top or even used as decorative panels (clear glass is used) It is also possible to obtain roof tiles which incorporate solar pv but these are the most expensive solution; proper consultation with experienced solar pv installers will however provide you with the best solution for your particular requirement. The strength of a solar pv cell is measured in kilowatt peak (kWp) - that's the amount of energy the cell generates in full sunlight. Solar panels for home use are usually effective even after 25 years. For instance, some solar panels are warranted to produce at least 80 percent of their full-rated power after twenty-five years. Residential solar power or panels are maintenance free and upkeep costs are generally low. Solar panels are a great place to start saving our planet, as well as your hard earned money. Solar panels are simply shallow boxes constructed from various materials that house an array of solar cells. The panels are composed of the photovoltaic cells we mentioned above. There are 2 x of solar panel, those made with poly-crystalline and those made with mono-crystalline cells. Poly or Multicrystalline solar panels are made of cells cut from multiple crystals that are grown together in an ingot. These type of panels are generally less efficient than those made with mono-crystalline cells. A 'typical' home uses approximately 2 kwh in a normal daytime period and so 10ff panels would expect to offset around 60% of the total energy demand. Allowing for daylight, sunshine and location it is possible to expect 2000 -2500 kwh of energy. Using this free energy over energy that you have to pay for of course saves you money. Solar energy although now over a hundred years old, is becoming one of the fastest growing industries and of absolute importance in the battle against climate change. Solar pv energy can definitely lower or even eliminate your monthly electricity bills. And don’t forget that installing a solar panel energy system, can significantly add value to your home too. Solar panels for home use, when properly fitted by qualified solar PV installers, are usually installed onto building roofs or ground-based purpose-built racks, they can also be arranged into strings on property roofs or in free standing groups or ‘arrays’. Installing solar PV systems angled between 20 and 30 degrees, pointing as near south as is practical, will ensure their yield is as high as possible. Whilst the panels are an important component of those systems, but they are by no means the only component; the inverter unit, which takes the dc electricity, generated by the panels and converts it in to usable ac alternating current, is perhaps the most vital component of all. We use the very best combination of inverter and panel so as to maximise the power output that your roof can produce. Remember, we are professional solar pv installers with many years’ experience in this industry who providing the best quality solar panels and other equipment, sales and top quality service; we are not a sales company now looking for solar installations!
DIY PV Solar Panels? DIY solar panels are the most economical way to produce electricity at home, however, whist this will certainly save you money, unless you are, or have the system properly tested, inspected and certified by an MCS certificated engineer, you will not be able to take advantage of the UK government backed feed-in-tariff.
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