Solar PV Electricity Panels

Turn light from the sun into cheap, affordable electricity.

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Solar Photovoltaics (generally just called solar PV) generate electricity during daylight hours by using the sun’s energy. They don’t need bright sunshine to work and in fact are designed to work even in cloudy British weather. The electricity the panels generate is available for you to use to power your appliances and in exactly the same way as you do now.

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COSTS AND SAVINGS

An average system is designed to produce about 2.9kWp (kilowatt peak – this is the most electricity the system will generate at any moment).

The payments are tax-free and guaranteed for 20 years.

To qualify for this feed-in tariff you must use an MCS accredited installer.

HOW DO THE PANELS WORK?

• Each solar PV panel is made of a number cells containing silicon crystals either as 1 sheet (mono-crystalline) or many small crystals (poly-crystalline)

• As light shines on the cells an electric field is created causing electrons to flow across the layers of silicon creating electricity

• The panels are mounted on the roof or they can be ground mounted on a special frame

• The panels generate direct current (DC) which needs to be converted to alternating current (AC – or mains equivalent) electricity for use in your home. This is the job of the inverter.

• The system will automatically export any unused electricity to the National Grid and import electricity when the panels are not creating enough (for example at night!). In effect the National Grid is used as a battery.