Solar Power - Questions & Answers

Solar power technology is not complicated. Solar power systems are very simple to install, effortless to use and effortless to mantain.

Nonetheless, we have created a few questions you may want answered.

Solar Power for Electricity Q & As

How does it Work?

Solar panels work every day, including overcast days! They generate power from daylight, not heat or solar radiation.

Solar panels can be placed on a southerly facing flat or pitched roof, a wall or a ground area.

The panels are flat and can either fit in roof or on roof.

Solar electricity panels are also known as Solar Photovoltaic panels, also abbreviated as Solar PV.

The "photovoltaic" panels come in a variety of shapes and colours, some even look like roof tiles.

Solar photovoltaic panels are made up of a number of smaller panels called solar photovoltaic cells; each of the cells will generate the electricity by converting daylight. Photons of light knock electrons into a higher state of energy to create electricity.

A box called an "inverter" converts the DC electricity (direct current) generated by the panels, into 240 AC electricity (alternating current); which is safe to use in your house.

The Inverter box is connected to your meter box which is connected to the national electricity grid. This allows you to ‘export' electricity when your system produces more electricity than you need to use.

Your system will usually include a meter to show how the system is performing.

How much roof space do I need?
Most homes purchase between 1.2 kW to 2.5 kW systems. A typical 2.5 kWp elec system requires approx 18m2 roof space; there are different sizes and different shapes of panels and they do not have to be altogether. Therefore most roofs are large enough to support your needs.

What sort of roof do I need?
The solar power installation must receive as much light as possible. Shadows cast by trees and neighbouring buildings will marginally reduce the potential energy generated. The most ideal location for solar in the UK is a south-facing roof at 30° - 40° pitch, although East and West facing roofs work at 85-90% efficiency.

Planning Permission
In England most solar electricity systems don't need any planning permission. However we will consult your local planning office if you live in a Listed Building, a Conservation Area or in a World Heritage Area.

What is the MCS - Microgeneration Certification Scheme Accreditation?
The Microgeneration Certification Scheme is a government validation to certify both the products that are used in installations, and that the companies and installers are qualified. You can only qualify for subsidies such as the Clean Energy Cash Back scheme, otherwise known as the Feed in Tariff, if you use both MCS products and an MCS acredited installer.

The idea is to "evaluate microgeneration products and installers against robust criteria providing greater protection for consumers". This protects you from shoddy products being installed; and it should prevent unprofessional companies from doing the work.

Tariff Payment Levels
From the 1st April 2010 all solar electric systems installed by a MCS accredited (Microgeneration Certification Scheme) installer will be eligible for the "Feed in Tariff" or "Cashback Generation Scheme" - guaranteed for 25 years!

You are paid for the electricity that the system produces, regardless of whether you use or not.....AND...you receive an extra payment for any surplus electricity that you export to the grid.

Here are the guaranteed rates:

Less than a 4 kW system installed on an existing property - 43.3p per kW per annum
More than 4 kW and less than 10 kW on any domestic property - 38.8p per kW per annum
More than 10 kW and less than 100 kW on any property- per kW per annum 32.9p per kW per annum
More 100 kW and less than 5 mega watts - 30.7p per kW per annum

Less than a 4 kW system installed on a new build property - 37.8p per kW per annum

Plus you will receive an additional 3.1p per kW for anything you export

Any size "Stand Alone" system (i.e. not connected to the National Electricity Grid) - 30.7p per kW per annum

Is Solar Electricity suitable for my home?
Solar electricity is suitable for almost every home in the UK... only homes with thatched roofs are truly problematic. There are some minor differences in installation procedures dependent upon your roof type.

Solar Power as an Investment?
Currently you get a better rate of return by investing your savings into a Solar Power system rather than putting it in any bank account or an ISA....And it's guaranteed for 25 years!

The best ISA available at the end of April 2009 was the Barclays ISA which provided a 3.83% rate and don't forget, the rate of return on your solar PV installation will only increase annually as the price of electricity rises.

What maintenance does it require?
Solar electricity systems require extremely little maintenance. Roof-top systems will clean themselves in the rain. However, we do recommend a service visit once a year to optimise the performance of your system.

Solar power is a proven reliable technology. Predominantly manufacturers give between 20-25 year warranties for their products.

A Solar power system has no moving parts thus very little maintenance is required.

What is the MCS - Microgeneration Certification Scheme Accreditation?
The Microgeneration Certification Scheme is a validation to certify both products that are used in installations, and that companies / installers are qualified. You can only qualify for subsidies such as the Clean Energy Cashback scheme, otherwise known as the Feed in Tariff, if you use both MCS products installed by MCS installers.

The idea is to "evaluate microgeneration products and installers against robust criteria providing greater protection for consumers". This protects you from shoddy products being installed; and it should prevent unprofessional companies from doing the work.

To Read about the MCS Link Click Here

What should I look for in any solar Company?
To qualify for any grant funding i.e. the Feed-in Tariff or ‘Clean Energy Cashback' scheme your installation must be commissioned (i.e. connected to the electricity grid) by an MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme) accredited installer.
The MCS scheme is driven by Ofgem and has replaced the previous Clear Skies accreditation scheme.
MCS accreditation provides consumers with a guarantee that the products and companies they use meet the high standards.

What questions should I ask any solar company?
Always check:

• Proof of their MCS Accreditation
• Written guarantees they offer
• Written warranties on any product / installation they offer
• Who are the manufacturers of the products they provide
• The type of "monitoring equipment" they provide - enabling you to monitor how much you are saving

Always compare quotes....Pro SolarPower guarantees to match the price of any similar system you find...And we guarantee to beat their service - if you know better call 0800 6446 077.
Terms & Conditions apply

Where can I find out more?
The Energy Saving Trust and the Department of Climate Change (Low Carbon Buildings Programme) are two websites which offer very useful information.

The Energy Saving Trust - http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk

Department of Climate Change - http://www.lowcarbonbuildings.org.uk

Are the "Feed-in Tariff" and "Clean Energy Cashback" Scheme the same thing?
The ‘Feed-in Tariff' is the internationally recognised name for solar electricity grants and incentives which guarantee money for producers of clean energy.
The UK has chosen to call the "Feed-in Tariff" by a different name the "Clean Energy Cashback" Scheme.

Where does the money come from to pay for the grants?
The money to pay for all these grants comes from a small levy on every energy consumer. The levy is calculated at about 7p per week.

Is the Feed in Tariff just for homes?
If you own a business with a large area of roof or land and you have high electricity usage this is a very sound time to invest!

Less than 4kW system on a new building 31 p/kWh
Less than 4kW system on an existing building 36.5p/kWh
Between 4 - 10kW on either of the above buildings 31p/kWh
Between 10 - 100kW on either of the above buildings 28p/kWh
Between 100kW -5MW on either of the above buildings 26p/kWh

Furthermore you'll get another 3p/kWh for every unit you export to the grid.

What do I need to do to connect a solar PV system to the electric grid?
Pro SolarPower Ltd will notify your Building Control Officer and if necessary the District Network Operator that you have installed a PV system.

Can I become carbon neutral?
It is not as easy to become totally carbon neutral; you may be carbon neutral where it comes to your energy requirements but there are many other factors to consider for a household to be carbon neutral.

Carbon neutral means that no carbon is used or your carbon is offset during your day to day activities i.e. you may generate your own electricity to boil a kettle, however a there was a significant carbon footprint to manufacture and transport the kettle television to your home. You need to factor this carbon footprint into account and over generate electricity to become carbon neutral.

How will installing solar reduce my carbon footprint?
Installation of solar panels means that you are significantly less reliant on dirty fossil fuels and therefore you reduce your carbon output.
If you generate a significant amount of energy to cover all your electrical power and heating requirements you would significantly reduce your carbon footprint. And yes, it is possible to generate sufficient power to at least offset your carbon footprint.

Will I be eligible if I have already received a grant?
Domestic installations which have previously received a grant will still be eligible for the FiT or Clean Energy Cashback scheme.
Commercial installations for both public sector (local councils, charities, schools, churches and communities) and the private sector which have received a grant under phase 2 of the LCBP (Low Carbon Buildings Programme) after 15th July 2009 have the choice of either:

• Retaining their grant and not being eligible for FITs;
• Or repaying their grant and claiming FITs.

Organisations who received a phase 2 grant before 15th July cannot claim the FiT or Clean Energy Cashback grant.

Will I be eligible to receive the tariff if I move into a home that already has an electricity generating technology?
FIT eligibility remains with the installation, even if the ownership of the home or generating technology changes. Therefore the technology must have been eligible before you move in, even if it is not registered yet.

What happens if I move home?
Ownership of the technology is linked to the site and therefore in the case where a building or homeownership changes, the ownership of the technology would also transfer to the new owner.

How much maintenance is required?
Installation is designed to be maintenance free. Owing to the rain we have in the UK your panels are self cleaning and there are no moving parts.

In Solar Power for Electricity pages we have listed "the" main questions and answers that you need to understand before buying a system....for anything else...just call our professional advisors free on 0800 6446 077.