PV solar panel systems, and what to expect in the United Kingdom
The benefits of installing PV solar panels far exceed the reasons to not. Photovoltaic technology does generate in diffused light conditions. Generation levels depend on the density of cloud clover, and therefore generation does occur passively. With denser cloud cover, not so much.
Each square metre of the UK receives between 900-1400 kWh annually and harvested by this technology. Remuneration for surplus comes via an export tariff. Export tariff competitiveness is expected to push other suppliers to attract self-generators.
With small bills and offsetting those costs with an export tariff income, the decision to install solar panels will be a stroke of genius.
"Enjoy your first cup of tea made with PV solar-generated electricity."
Compare sizing:
Monthly breakdown:
On-grid or off-grid?
Maximising the output is essential when installing solar panels.
PV export tariffs allow your surplus power to be sold on the open energy market when grid-tied. Off-grid systems are only useful in remote circumstances but are inefficient. For this reason, for the majority of homes in the United Kingdom, a grid-connected PV system is the best type of system to adopt.
Can I charge my EV with solar panels?
Yes, EV car technology can charge by the sun for free if done a certain way. A solar-powered car is a genius level of savvy, but I've always wondered why they don't integrate photovoltaics into the car roof. The UK Government continue to push electric vehicles and PV solar panel installations, but linking them requires a certain level of savvy.
The traditional energy industry don't want you charging your vehicle for free.
Evacuated tubes were the most common solar heating until the advent of PV-heat converters. Use surplus power to heat hot water, if you have an existing tank to work alongside your new PV installation. Save around 70% on heating water tanks with a PV-heat converter.
Yes, PV solar with battery storage capabilities are a game-changer as it expands solar power into the nighttime hours. Storage capabilities are ideal for home workers, and families with high demand.
"Thank you for your expertise and your quick response. I have to say that your installers are first-class workmen and I cannot fault their work in any way." Mr. Driver, Yorkshire.
"This is a quick, short note to sum up how we feel the installation went. Throughout you have all been professional, understanding, prompt, responsive, and diligent. We will willingly and happily recommend your company to friends and contacts in the future. It makes the whole project worthwhile."
Mr. Howard, Norfolk.
"Please accept our thanks for your valued assistance in achieving a happy outcome. You must feel free to use this message with any future prospective customers who may have doubts about the value of having solar panels installed."
Mr. Hurst, Redditch.
"May I take this opportunity to say how pleased we are with the photovoltaic solar panels that have now been in operation for two weeks? I know I have to average it out with the winter months, but in the reasonable last sunny four days and one cloudy day, five in total, which bodes well!" Mr. Smethhurst, Chippenham.
"We're now self-sufficient in electricity, which was our target. We have been monitoring our meter and our record so far is 16.5 units in one day. Very promising."
Mrs. Taylor, Nuneaton.
"I've acknowledged over my lifetime I have become very comfortable with the use of fossil fuels, but as I get older I would like to teach my grandchildren to respect nature and our world more."
Mr. R Lacey, Eastbourne.
"Keeping my money in the bank was giving me low returns, so I invested a small chunk of it and now I get a great return and save money on bills too." Mr. . S Brown, Wallington.
Best of all is the joy we get from seeing the wheel on our mains electricity meter going backward! It makes the whole scheme worthwhile. It doesn't take a genius to work this out. I'm helping save the planet and getting a decent return on my investment."
Mr. Granger, Felixstowe
"Now there is the incentive scheme of export tariff it was an obvious choice to make. Although it was only installed a couple of months ago and not many bright days, we have watched the units mount up. We truly feel that we are doing our bit for greener energy and being rewarded as well."
Mr. Smith, Swansea.
"Polite and prompt responses to queries, Fitted by courteous and experienced tradesmen. Very pleased with the performance of the product."
Mr. Barney, Yorkshire.
"The solar tubes are excellent and as I write this is producing hot water. The two workmen were superb. They are the best I have ever had in my house, very friendly, very polite and very efficient. Thank you."
Mrs. Skilbeck, Wirral.
"The installation of my solar panels was a good experience. The technicians were considerate and worked efficiently, leaving no mess. Do you know the benefits are even better than I thought and now my electric company pays me, Excellent!" Mrs. Mathers, Derby.
"My evacuated tube system has worked well with little maintenance and the gas-bill went down. The environmental issues were climbing the agenda and these were my deciding factors in the decision to put capital to use and install a photovoltaic system too."
Mr. Davies, Hexham.
"Thank you for your expertise and your quick response. I have to say that your installers are first-class workmen and I cannot fault their work in any way."
Mr. Driver, Yorkshire.
"I've been very impressed by my system since its installation six months ago. We have been keeping an eye on temperatures from our evacuated tubes, and they have worked brilliantly, even in some weather conditions you wouldn't expect anything."
Mr. Davidson, Great Yarmouth.
"Had my solar panels installed and the installation team was excellent and very pleased with their professionalism and cleanliness they went the extra mile when teaching us how to use the controller, well after their shift had finished. It's a bit too soon to see how my system performs because it has only been installed this week, but the first three days gave us plenty of hot water even when one of the three days was cloudy."
Mr. Yeadon, Uxbridge.
"I've acknowledged over my lifetime I have become very comfortable with the use of fossil fuels, but as I get older I would like to teach my grandchildren to respect nature and our world more."
Mr. R Lacey, Eastbourne.
"We have had solar panels installed because I have always had an interest in solar panels as an engineer. I've been impressed by my system since its installation six months ago. We've been keeping an eye on output, and they've worked brilliantly, even in some weather conditions you wouldn't expect anything."
Mr. Martin, Kettering.
"We had evacuated tubes installed and think they are wonderful. They have been providing me with very hot water for most of the year. I like the look of them on my roof, and passers-by always comment on them when I am doing the garden. They certainly had the whole village talking about them for a while."
Mr. Shore, Lancaster.
"Firstly the team of fitters was superb, quick, efficient and polite, and tidied up after they finished. We turned off our standard water heating system after the installation and still had plenty of hot water. It works very well."
Mrs. Havers, Maidstone.
"My wife and I would like to express our satisfaction with our solar panels and to say how delighted we are with our solar PV system. At every stage of the process, your staff and reps have been professional, knowledgeable, proactive, and helpful. At no point in the process did we feel pressure to buy."
Mr. Williams, Bristol.
"We've had PV panels for two years now, and have found excellent savings on our energy bills. Our grandchildren brag that granny has solar panels, and they are a great conversation starter when I am doing my gardening."
Mrs. Dougthwaite, Peterborough.
"Just a note to say how very impressed we were with the hard work and enthusiasm of your installer, this guy cares. The system appears to be functioning well and indeed better than I expected for January."
Mr. Huxtable, Hatfield.
"I must say that I was highly impressed by the comments made by your customers, there was a small delay in delivery but the firm contacted me to advise and offered an alternative. The solar heating kit was of good quality as promised and the installer nice and clean. A very helpful company."
Mr. Smith, Swansea.
"I've been thinking of having some solar for a while, not only to do my bit for the environment but to be able to be more self-sufficient in my own home. Do you know the benefits are even better than I thought and now my electric company pays me, Excellent!" Mr. Stevens, Wellingborough.
"We have had solar panels installed because I have always had an interest in solar panels as an engineer. I've been impressed by my system since its installation six months ago. We've been keeping an eye on output, and they've worked brilliantly, even in some weather conditions you wouldn't expect anything."
Mr. Martin, Kettering.
"I am writing to commend you and the team that carried out the installation and your staff who handled the paperwork. We have had the solar panels for nearly two months now and have found them to be exactly as described at the time. The equipment is working superbly and the indicators that you have installed show exactly what we are producing every day. It's nice to think we are now adding to the National Grid instead of taking it away."
John, Cirencester.
"I was surprised by how easy the installation process was. It was smooth and hassle-free. My thanks, a highly professional job on both occasions."
Mr. Jones, Northwich.
"I would like to tell you how satisfied I am with the photovoltaic solar panels you installed. I was informed as to what was going on, and the people that I dealt with were all very pleasant. Once again I want to thank you for installing the system that will not only save me money but will also make me money."
Mrs. Holmes, Swindon.
"The installation was completed in about seven hours with no mess or fuss. The installers were polite and very careful. The completed job was very neat and tidy. Since the installation, the panels have generated far more than we've used. I'm very happy with our new shiny panels and would not hesitate to recommend."
Mrs. Banks, Northwich.
"Already we were amazed at the amount of free energy our solar system is producing and are looking forward to our first cheque from our energy supplier. No tax to pay, just extra income. An excellent solution for every homeowner. This is now an integral part of the fabric of our home, enabling us to contribute to a healthier, greener world. With the bonus of 'free energy' and also being paid, you can truly 'beat the system'."
Mr. Bowles, Milton Keynes.
"The bottom line is that we're very content that we decided to install our photovoltaic system. It's set to turn our home into a 'zero-energy cost' building with profit to boot! Please accept our thanks for your valued assistance in achieving a happy outcome. You must feel free to use this message with any future prospective customers who may have doubts about the value of having solar panels installed."
Mrs. Philips, Bury St Edmunds.
"I was surprised by how easy the installation process was. It was smooth, easy and hassle-free. My thanks, a highly professional job on both occasions." Mr. Jones, Northwich.
"I would say the savings on water heating with solar tubes is around 60% maybe even more. Dead simple technology too. Our unit is about 18 years old now and still going strong. It paid for itself in about five years."
Mr. Ellis, Plymouth.
"We're very content that we decided to install our PV system. It's set to turn our home into a 'zero-energy cost' building with profit to boot! Please accept our thanks for your valued assistance in achieving a happy outcome. You must feel free to use this message with any future prospective customers who may have doubts about the value of having solar panels installed."
Mrs. Philips, Bury St Edmunds.
"The installation was completed in about five hours with no mess or fuss. The installers were polite and very careful. The completed job was very neat and tidy. Since the installation the panels have generated 116 Kw, which is far more than we have used. I am very happy with our new shiny panels and would not hesitate to recommend solar to anyone."
Mrs. Brocklebank, Penrith.
"The solar tubes you recommended are very efficient as we are only having to top up our system with the gas heater for about an hour a day, even though the weather has been very wet to date." Mr. Greenough, Denbigh.
"I now find myself to be almost evangelical in my enthusiasm for solar panels and technology and will extol its virtues at the drop of a hat and have already recommended the technology to family and friends."
Mrs. Beverage, Stoke-on-Trent.
"Our system heated all the hot water we could ever need in summer - plenty to fill our big double corner bath - and made a huge difference in our electric water heating bill even in winter months, it might only heat the water to 'tepid' in the wintertime, but the energy required to heat it from tepid to scalding rather than almost freezing to scalding is much much less."
Mr. Atkinson, Barnstaple.
"The installation, as promised, lasted a day. The team was very efficient and worked well together. As a teacher, it amused me to be receiving a lesson - this time about how to use the control panel for the central heating and hot water. We are now looking forward to a summer of no fuel bills. Or winters should also be fuel efficient now that we have solar panels and a wood burner."
Mr. Howse, Poole.
"There was a small delay in delivery, but the firm contacted me to advise and offered an alternative. The quality of the goods is excellent, arrived on time the second time as promised and the installer was nice and clean. A very helpful company." Mr. Smith, Swansea.
"Our solar panel system seems to be on course to earn me the predicted revenue. Putting the purchase price into a saving account would produce little to nothing. The numbers speak for themselves. I'm proud to be the first on our street to install and reduce my bills too. Happy to recommend."
Mr. Driver, Yorkshire.
"I would like to tell you how satisfied I am with the PV solar system you installed. I was informed as to what was going on, and the people that I dealt with were all very pleasant. Once again I want to thank you for the system that will not only save me money but will also make me money."
Mrs. Holmes, Swindon.
"I am writing to commend you and the team that carried out the installation and your staff who handled the paperwork. We have had the solar panels for nearly two months and the equipment is working superbly and the indicators that you have installed show exactly what we are producing every day."
John Daniels, Cirencester.
"We have had our solar panels for almost two weeks now, and the electricity savings are substantial already.
The planning and installation were first class, and we would have no hesitation recommending."
JackandPippa, Birmingham.
"My evacuated tube system has worked well with little maintenance and the gas-bill went down. The environmental issues were climbing the agenda and these were my deciding factors in the decision to put capital to use and install a photovoltaic system too."
Mr. Davies, Hexham.
"We chose to have the solar panels installed as we already have free hot water from an existing solar heating system. This is truly making our home into a green home - and we feel proud that we're now on the way to becoming 80% energy independent."
Mrs. Gregson, Weston-super-mare.
"My wife and I would like to express our satisfaction with our solar panels and to say how delighted we are. At every stage of the process, the installers have been professional, knowledgeable, proactive, and helpful. At no point in the process did we feel pressure to buy."
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