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Micaul Solar
PV (new feed in tariffs from 1st April 2010,see below)
  
Solar Photovoltaic (PV) converts
sunlight into electricity. Solar photovoltaic (PV) uses energy from the sun to
create electricity to run appliances and lighting. PV requires only daylight -
not direct sunlight to generate
electricity.
Photovoltaic systems use cells to
convert solar radiation into electricity. The PV cell consists of one or two
layers of a semi conducting material, usually silicon. When light shines on the
cell it creates an electric field across the layers causing electricity to flow.
The greater the
intensity of the light, the greater the flow of
electricity.
The solar PV panels are ideally
positioned on a south facing roof but can be
positioned on a south east or south west orientation with some reduction in their effectiveness.
Panels can be mounted flush with the roof or in the case of a flat roof can be positioned on a purpose
built frame. Systems are now available that have integrated solar PV into roof tiles.
PV systems generate no greenhouse
gases, a typical domestic system can save approximately 1.2 tonnes of carbon
dioxide emissions per year - adding up to almost 30 tonnes over a system's
lifetime.
PV arrays now come in a variety
of shapes and colours, ranging from grey 'solar tiles' that look like roof
tiles, to panels and transparent cells that you can use on conservatories
and glass to provide shading as well as generating electricity. As well as
enabling you to generate free electricity they can provide an interesting
alternative to conventional roof tiles.
You can use PV systems for a
building with a roof or wall that faces within 90 degrees of south as long as no
other buildings or large trees overshadow it. If the roof surface is in shadow
for parts of the day, the output of the system decreases.
Solar panels are not light and
the roof must be strong enough to take their weight, especially if the panel is
placed on top of existing tiles.
The energy produced per year
depends on the installed peak power (kWp) of the PV module (the peak power
corresponds to the rate of electricity generation in bright sunlight, formally
defined as the output of the module under radiation of 1 kW/m² at 25°C). PV
modules are available in a range of types and some produce more electricity per
square metre than others (the range for currently available types is from about
30 to 125 watts peak per m²), and the peak power depends on the type of module
as well as its effective area. In the UK climate, an installation with 1 kWp
typically produces about 800 kWh of electricity per year (at
favourable orientation and not over shaded).
At times of high solar radiation
the PV array may generate more electricity than the instantaneous electricity
demand within the dwelling. Arrangements must be made for the surplus
electricity to be exported
to the grid via a dual or two-way electricity meter.
New Feed in Tariffs from 1st April
2010
According to the the government's
low carbon transition plan, by 2020, almost half of the electricity used in the
UK will be from what they refer to as 'low carbon' sources - 30 per cent from
renewable energy sources such as wind, water and solar power and the rest from
nuclear and 'clean' coal. The Government's stated aim is to "all but eliminate"
carbon emissions from electricity generation by 2050
Only about 2.5 per cent of
electricity currently comes from renewable sources and the massive increase
includes proposals for some 4,000 new onshore wind turbines and a further 3,000
offshore. All this centralised, new generating capacity is rumoured to be likely
to add as much as £250 to the average domestic annual fuel bill. Those who
install Microgeneration systems, however, will be much better off than they
currently are. The proposed feed-in tariff for Microgeneration from devices like
small wind turbines and solar Photovoltaics will pay for all energy generated by
the system, irrespective of whether it is used by the owner or sold back to the
grid. The amounts paid are in addition to any saving made by purchasing less
electricity from the grid.
The key points of the tariffs
are:-
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36.5p/kWh for small solar
photovoltaic systems up to 4kW and 28p/kWh for systems up to 10kW
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23.0p/kWh for small wind
turbines between 1.5kW and 15kW
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Replaces the current ROC system
which pays 10p/kWh
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Effective as of the 1st April
2010, but all systems commissioned from now on will qualify
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Systems installed from now
until April 2010 will be eligible for both LCBP grants AND the new tariff
The average annual consumption
for a UK household is 3,300kWh (Energy Saving Trust).
A typical home
solar photovoltaic system of 3kW, generating approximately 2,300kWh per annum
will therefore earn around £1,000 per annum, which is an additional £600,
dramatically reducing payback times.
To find
out more, contact us on 01633
53 54 55
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