SOLAR ENERGY TO POWER YOUR ELECTRIC LIFE

Solar PV produces electricity from all light that lands on the surface. The majority of electricity is produced from direct sunshine, but light from the sky (diffuse light) and reflected from the surroundings (albedo) is also important.  The former is dependent on orientation, but the others produce electricity at any angle.

Adding all this together, the optimum orientation is facing due south at a pitch of 30 degrees.  However, because of the contribution of diffuse light from the sky, there is a very large hotspot of high performance.  Roofs between SW to SE, and 10 to 50 degrees will be producing 95% of optimal.  East or west facing arrays will also produce about 85% of optimal.  So whilst south facing orientations are best, almost any roof will generate substantial amounts of electricity.

Generally, solar panels can be installed on any roof or free terrain with enough space to accommodate them, whilst trying to avoid shady places.

Solar can be installed on virtually all roof types – tiled, slated, flat , trapezoidal metal and standing seam. It is possible to install on other structures as well – we see solar carports, canopies, walkways, louvres, facades and pergolas. Solar panels can of course also be installed on the ground as well, from back-garden arrays to solar fields!

Shading can be very detrimental to solar PV performance.  Firstly, any shade will reduce the amount of light landing on an array and reduce output.  Secondly, because panels are wired together in a chain (called a string) the performance of that string is only as good as its weakest link.  So shade, (e.g. from a chimney) can affect not just the one panel that is shaded, but the whole string, you can also add small micro inverters to panels affected by shade to isolate them from the rest of the string.

This really depends on how much electricity you use within your home.  An average house uses about 3500 kWh of electricity per year but with energy efficient lighting and appliances it is possible to use half of this (1750 kWh per year.)  A typical rooftop array in IRL is 3 kWp in size producing about 2500 kWh per year.  So yes, it is possible to produce more than you use on an annual basis. In the future you’ll be able to net export electricity. PV produces less electricity in winter and of course none at all at night-time.

Note:  the above is electricity for lights and appliances only – it does not include hot water or space heating (which are typically fuelled by gas in IRL, in most cases).  Another key demand increasing daily is the use of EV’s in turn contributing to the electrical load. 

Zero carbon –  helping our planet for us and  future generation. Free Electricity (once the system has been paid).  Over its lifetime it will be far more cost effective than purchasing from the grid. Satisfaction of generating your own electricity whilst being less reliant on your electricity supplier.

If installed correctly in accordance with IET regulations the PV is perfectly safe.  The same could be said of any electrical circuit.

An entire solar PV system including panels and inverters will repay the energy needed to manufacture it within 3 years’ operating (approximately).

The inverter is the brains of the system.  It converts the DC electricity produced by the solar panels into AC electricity for use within the building.  It also matches the phase of the AC electricity produced to the phase of the grid, ensuring complete compatibility and the ability to export excess back to the wider electricity network.

Pigeons nesting under your panels and fouling your property is one of the most frustrating issues faced by solar households. But there is an easy solution without any cruelty!

Pigeons, as other birds, are always looking for perfect places to nest. The most preferable places are covered ones where they can leave the eggs keeping them safe. The best option is a warm one to avoid freezing during the winter. That’s the reason that under your solar panels which are orientated to receive all the solar energy which they can, are the perfect place for them. To prevent this, solar panel manufacturers have designed extra covers to surround your panels without effecting the panel function at all.

This is one of the most common questions about PV. If you are investing in solar energy you need to know if we are going to be paying more money to repair them right?!
Generally, PV does not need maintenance during its effective life. Unlike other technologies, solar PV has no moving parts, so there is nothing to wear out or need lubricating. Solar panels are generally warrantied for 20 years + 

Solar panels have a surface coating on them to help water and dust run away and they are considered self-cleaning if pitched at greater than 10 degrees.

However, in some locations there is too much dust, plant debris (leaves etc) or bird excrement so, the panels can get dirty. You can clean with de-ionised water so there is no electric charge, if you want to keep them perfectly clean but use no abrasives or chemicals as these will damage the specialist coating.

The value of your property is very much down to the opinion of the prospective buyer. However, solar PV will increase the energy performance rating of the property (BER rating) In today’s world there is an increasing correlation between energy performance and house prices meaning an efficient house is viewed as more desirable.

Without getting too deep into the quantum physics of semiconductors solar photovoltaic cells consist of a positively charged and a negatively charged layer of silicon. As the sunlight hits the solar cells, it frees the electrons from the negatively charged silicon. The negatively-charged free electrons are attracted to the opposite surface of the cell. Collector wires on the front and back of the cells complete the electrical circuit and allows a flow of electric current, via your appliances! (Sorry, that was even to techy for us!)

This will depend on the size of the installation. Typically a residential installation of Solar PV will take 2 day’s to complete, though more complex systems may take longer.