FAQs
Solar PV Q&A
What are the benefits of solar?
Reduced electricity bills:
Lower carbon emissions:
No running costs:
Low maintenance, 25 years + life expectancy
Charge an electric car for free: reduce your fuelling costs if you have an electric vehicle.
Less dependence on the grid
Off grid battery backup for power cuts
What are the disadvantages of solar PV?
Doesn’t work very well in winter or rainy grey weather
Doesn’t work at night
Use Rare Earth elements in manufacturing
Not yet 100% recyclable
How much CO2 does a Solar Panel save?
A 1kw solar system will produce around 850 kwh a year which will save around 1.6 tonnes of CO2 emissions per year.
Do I need a south-facing roof for Solar Panels?
Solar Panels work well on any roof facing South, East or West. Although your Solar Panels will perform better and produce more electricity if they are South facing, they will still perform at 86% (compared to South facing) either facing due East or West.
What’s the difference between Solar PV and thermal?
Solar PV panels are used to generate electricity, whereas Solar thermal – also known as a solar hot water system – is used to provide domestic hot water around the home.
Do I need constant sunshine for my Solar Panels to work?
No, solar panels work in all daylight conditions but work better the brighter the sunshine.
How long will my Solar Panel PV system last for?
Solar PV panels will last 25 years+ and come with a 10-year manufacturer’s warranty and a 25-year output guarantee The inverter comes with a standard 5-year warranty which can be increased to 10 years. workmanship warranty 5 years. Battery warranty 10 years
Will I need planning permission to fit PV to a house?
No as standard solar PV is a permissive development but if your property is listed yes or your roof installation faces onto a road in a conservation area, you will.
How do Solar Panels connect to the electrical supply?
The electricity produced by your Solar Panels is converted from DC (direct current) by the inverter to AC (alternating current), which your home is run on. The electricity is then taken from the inverter via an AC cable to your distribution board, where it is used to power the circuits in your home in preference to using electricity from the grid.
Will my Solar Panels work when there is a power cut?
If there is a power cut your inverter will switch off, which stops any generation from your Solar Panels entering the property. unless you have a battery with emergency circuit back up.
Can batteries be fitted on an existing PV system?
Yes, batteries can be fitted on to existing PV systems.
Will fitting batteries to an existing system affect my FIT?
No, it will not affect the existing Feed in Tariff so long as you have an AC coupled battery which is fitted after your generation meter.
Do I need an MCS certificate?
To claim your export tariff, you will need an MCS certificate.
Solar Thermal Panels Q & A
What are Thermodynamic Panels?
They are a cross between Solar Panels and an Air Source Heat Pump, they look like solar panels but work like an Heat Pump
How do they work
A refrigerant is pumped around the system and circulates around the panel, this is warmed up and becomes a gas which goes through the compressor and is heated further, it then reaches the hot water cylinder and warms the water in the tank (If you do not have a Hot Water Cylinder this system would not be suitable for you).
What are the benefits of Thermodynamic panels?
They do not need to be in direct sunlight
They can be fitted to a wall instead of the roof
Continue to work in temperatures as low as -10
What is the difference between a Thermodynamic panel and a Solar Thermal Panel?
Solar Thermal Panels panels use the sun to heat the water, Thermodynamic panels use the air AND Solar to heat the water and can heat the water day and night
Solar Thermal panels need to be placed on the roof whereas Thermodynamic panels can be fitted to a wall (east, west or south only for best results).
Infrared Heating Panel Q&A
Is Infrared heating safe?
They are 100% safe and provide natural heat for our bodies
Where is the best place to install such a panel?
As these panels radiate far infrared heat through the air which is then absorbed by objects and surfaces of the room. The most effective place for you to mount your panels is usually higher up on the walls or on the ceiling. The heaters will be less effective if they are installed behind furniture (as an example) it will only heat the furniture directly infront of it
How much energy will I save?
These panel systems can save around 60% over traditional heating systems, providing warmth at a fraction of the cost of Gas, Oil or other forms of heating – they heat you and the fabric of the building NOT the air
Are there maintenance and service costs for these panels?
No as there are no moving parts, however in the event that one goes wrong just swap it out
How do these panels heat a room?
The panels work by warming up the thermal mass of the room (walls, furniture, floors and you) unlike conventional heating which heats the air which then circulates as it gets cold
