Do I need to use a certain Electricity Supplier?
No, as normal you are free to come and go with any supplier of your own choosing.
Will our roof tiles be damaged in the installation?
Our installation teams are highly trained and great care is always taken when working on clients roofs. Should any problems occur or if any damage is caused during the installation it will be our responsibility to rectify it. All works will be fully insured by ourselves.
What is a Kilowatt hour (kWh)?
When you buy electricity you will be charged by the kilowatt-hour (kWh). When you use 1000 watts for 1 hour, that's a kilowatt-hour. For example:
Wattage of the appliance x number of hours used ÷ 1000 x price per kWh = cost of electricity
Will the panels make our roof more insecure in high winds?
No, The mounting systems have been tested to ensure stability, even in severe weather conditions.
Will my roof be able to withstand the additional weight?
All installations are subject to a site survey prior to any work being carried out. We will NOT install a system onto an unsuitable roof.
How long will it take to install my system?
PV systems can be installed and ready to produce electricty in 2-8 weeks from the time the design has been agreed. Our installation teams will normally complete an average sized installation in 1 day.
Can I use photovoltaics (PV) to power my business?
PV systems can be blended into virtually every conceivable structure for commercial buildings. You will find PV being used outdoors for security lighting as well as in structures that serve as covers for parking lots and bus shelters, generating power at the same time. Indoors, PV systems are used to offset and operate all kinds of electrical systems, including lights, cooling systems, and appliances.
Will the system need to be a certain size?
The size of solar system you need depends on several factors such as how much electricity you use, how much daylight is available where you are, the size of your roof, and how much you’re willing to invest. After talking through your exact needs we will be well placed to recommend the size of system that will benefit your requirements.
How do I know if I get enough daylight for PV?
A photovoltaic (PV) system needs unobstructed access to the sun’s rays for most or all of the day. Climate is not really a concern, because PV systems are relatively unaffected by severe weather. In fact, some PV modules actually work better in colder weather. Most PV modules are angled to catch the sun’s rays, so any snow that collects on them usually melts quickly. There is thus enough sunlight to make solar energy systems useful and effective nearly everywhere in the United Kingdom.
What are the effects of shade?
Shading is critical. Minor shading can result in significant loss of energy. This is because the cell with the lowest illumination determines the operating current of the series string in which it is connected. This is one of the areas covered in the survey carried out before any installation. If shading is unavoidable, or poor light is expected on a regular basis, then we will modify our designs and possibly even the type of cell we use. This would obviously be looked at on a case by case basis.
How do I estimate the energy output of different products?
The following energy output can be used as a rough rule of thumb for the UK (assuming a reasonable tilt, orientation and system efficiency). For every 1kW of maximum production, it can be estimated that, in Britain, 800kWh of energy will be produced over an average year.
Does the pitch of my roof make a difference?
If an optimum angle of between 30 and 40 degrees is not achievable, over 90% of the maximum annual energy can still be achieved at 10 degree and 50 degree tilts. South-facing vertical facades generate around 70% of the maximum.
How long do photovoltaic (PV) systems last?
A PV system that is designed, installed, and maintained well will operate for more than 25 years. The basic PV module (interconnected, enclosed panel of PV cells) has no moving parts and can last more than 30 years. The best way to ensure and extend the life and effectiveness of your PV system is by having it installed and maintained properly. It is estimated that performance will decrease by under 1% per year, which would mean that in 50 years they’d still be 60% efficient, but nobody really knows past the guarantees given.
What are the maintenance requirements?
Solar photovoltaic systems are silent in operation, have no moving parts and require no maintenance. It may be necessary at some point during the lifetime of the system to replace the inverter, if so this will need to be done by a qualified electrician.
Most of the time the rain will keep the modules clean. However, a build up of dirt can affect system performance. The degree of soiling will depend on the location but usually dust accumulation and self-cleaning reach a steady state after a few weeks if the array tilt is at least 15 degrees. In extreme cases dust may cause a power reduction of about 10%. The modules can be cleaned with either a hose or, if possible, soapy water and a non abrasive brush.
Will I ever have to go without power?
Your home will still be connected to the National grid. If at any time your solar panels are producing less electricity than your home is using, or at night time, you will just receive electricity in the normal way. If there is a power cut you will not be able to generate or use electricity.
