Choose Solar Panels for Green Energy in the UK

Did you know that 85% of the buildings in the UK are suitable for the installation of solar panels? It’s a fact that surprises many people, especially those who believe that you need lots of bright, warm sunny days to generate solar electricity reliably. In fact, statistics on solar PV systems show that Germany, with a climate nearly identical to that of the UK, generates more of its electricity through solar panels than any other country in the world. Despite the UK’s reputation for misty, moist days, it has everything needed to make excellent use of solar PV technology.

Facts About Solar Panels

If you’ve never considered how solar panels can affect your use of electricity and your pocketbook, these facts about solar PV systems may help you make up your mind.

Chances are that your roof is a good place to install solar panels. The requirements for a solar installation are quite simple. Your building needs to have a relatively un-shaded roof that faces south, east or west and is pitched between 20 and 60 degrees. It must also be strong enough to support the weight of the solar PV installation.

The biggest challenge in determining if your roof is suitable for solar panels is the amount of sunlight it receives. Clouds don’t matter, but nearby buildings, trees and land formations do. Solar panel installers are trained to evaluate the benefit you’d get from installing a solar PV system on your roof, including determining obstructions that might reduce the efficiency of your system.

The typical UK household can generate up to 50% of the electricity it uses through solar panels. The exact amount of electricity you’ll get will vary depending upon how much electricity you use and when you use it. For example, if you or your family is home most of the day and using electrical appliances, your use percentage will be higher than if you’re only home in the evenings and most of your electricity usage is after dark.

The most common type of solar PV system installed in the UK is a grid-tied system. That means that you’ll still be connected to the traditional electrical grid, which will supply electricity for your needs when your solar panels don’t generate enough – for example, at night, when there is no sunlight.

You can reduce your monthly electricity bill by as much as 50% when you install solar panels because every unit of electricity your solar panels generate is a unit of electricity you don’t have to buy.

Your solar panels can generate income for you. If your solar PV system qualifies for the Feed-In Tariff scheme run by the government, you’ll be paid for every unit of electricity generated by your solar system, even the electricity that you use in your own home.

Interested in knowing more? Contact a local solar panels distributor and schedule a consultation to get all of your questions answered.

Finding a Reputable Solar Panels Installer

Installing solar panels on the roof has become a popular way for property owners to reduce their energy costs and do some good for the planet at the same time. With the government offering to kick in on the costs of installation and pay owners to generate  electricity with solar panels, many companies have spotted the opportunity to make some dosh – and they’re not all of the best quality.

The solar PV business is at the same place now as the double-glazed windows business was ten years ago – and it has attracted many of the same profiteers. There are, however, ways that you can ensure that you’re doing business with a reputable installer of solar panels and avoid the companies that will take your money and install a shoddy product – or worse, none at all. These tips can help you choose a reputable company to install your solar panels.

Don’t work with companies that won’t answer your questions on the phone. If you call with questions and the company insists on sending around a sales person or “surveyor” to answer them, politely hang up and call another company. Legitimate solar PV companies will answer questions about the kinds of systems they install and other technical questions without sending a salesman round to the house.

Be wary of solar panels salespeople that offer you large discounts on their “original” price. Those discounts are either taken on a hugely inflated price, or may be on non-existent systems.

Also be wary of companies that offer free installation and a free solar PV system in return for your right to collect your payments from the government. You’ll be giving up 25 years of income from your solar panels. They wouldn’t be making the offer if there wasn’t a hefty profit in it for them.

Remember that the law gives you time to change your mind about any contract you sign in your home. Always read over the contracts carefully – many of them include a clause waiving your right to cancel the contract. If you find such a clause, send the salesman packing and find another installer for your solar PV system.

Be cynical about companies that push “quick payback” on your solar panels or that make unrealistic claims about the amount of money you can save or receive. Research the subject enough to know what’s realistic for your home and your area and avoid doing business with companies that seem to be promising much more than that.

Solar panels offer an excellent source of low-cost electricity for your home. Solar PV systems are expected to last at least 30 years, and there are credible reports of solar panels installed in the 1960s still working, so your investment is a long-term one. Make sure that you do business with a solar PV company that’s in it for the long haul.

Requirements for Installing Solar Panels

Microgeneration systems like solar panels can qualify you for regular payments from the government. In an effort to reduce the amount of electricity generated by polluting and outdated power plants, the government has instituted a scheme to pay property owners for generating their own electricity with small systems, including solar PV systems that are rated for as little as 1 kWh of electricity. The Feed-in Tariff scheme, commonly called the FiTS, pays you for every kWh of electricity that your system generates. In order to benefit from this program, though, your property needs to meet certain requirements.

Orientation

Most solar PV systems in the UK are installed on rooftops, largely because that real estate is mostly unused. In order to benefit from solar panels on your roof, your roof must be facing in the right direction. The best orientation for solar panels is south, so if your roof faces south, your solar PV system will be able to make the most efficient use of energy from the sun. However, southwest and southeast facing roofs are also suitable for solar panels, and, depending on where in the UK you are located, even roofs that face east or west will provide you with some energy generation.

Angle

The pitch of your roof is also important in gathering the rays of the sun, which your solar panels will convert into electricity for your use. The correct pitch varies from place to place around the world. In the UK, the most efficient pitches for solar PV systems is 30 to 50 degrees, though systems installed on roofs with a pitch as low as 20 degrees and as high as 60 degrees can generate sufficient electricity to make them worth installing. In addition, some solar system companies will install solar panels on an A-frame to pitch them at the correct angle for solar generation.

Size

Solar panels can take up a lot of space on your roof, but the exact amount of space depends on the type of panels used. Some types of solar panels can generate more electricity from smaller units, while others – often less expensive – require larger panels to generate sufficient electricity. A solar PV installer can tell you whether your roof is large enough and strong enough to support a solar PV system.

Shadow

The final part of the equation is unrestricted sunlight for most of the day. In order to generate enough electricity to make installation worthwhile, you must have a section of roof that is not shadowed for any part of the day. Again, a solar system installer is the best judge of whether your roof receives enough sunlight unrestricted by shadows from nearby objects.

The DECC estimates that over 80 percent of the rooftops in the UK are suitable for a solar PV system. To find out if you can benefit from the savings provided by solar panels, contact a local solar installer and schedule a consultation.

Who Should Install Your Solar Panels?

Once you’ve decided that a solar PV system is definitely in your future, you have another very important decision to make – who can you trust to install your solar panels on your roof? The demand for solar panels has brought a lot of the usual suspects out of the woodwork – you know the usual suspects. They’re the individuals and companies that jump onto every new money-making proposition with the intent of squeezing as much profit as possible out of it by providing substandard systems. A few years back, they were selling blacktops for your drives and walks, then double-glazed windows, then conservatories – now they’re on to solar panels and solar PV systems.

Other companies are offering free installation on free solar panels, and all they’re asking of you is that you sign your right to collect payments from the Feed-in Tariff system over to them. How do you decide among the many solar PV installers you can trust to give you honest information and install high quality solar panels properly on your roof? These tips can help you evaluate how much you can trust the solar PV system installer standing at your door.

Be Wary of Solar Companies That Contact You Directly

With the demand for solar panels so high, reputable companies don’t have to send out spammy emails or paper your neighborhood with flyers to attract business. That’s not to say that any solar PV company that does direct sales is dishonest, but if someone comes door-knocking without an invitation, be sure to take a closer look at their credentials.

Avoid Companies That use High Pressure Sales Tactics

The REAL Assurance Scheme offers a list of high pressure sales tactics that should sound a warning alarm. Members of the REAL scheme agree to abide by certain standards and practices, including agreeing to refrain from invasive and aggressive sales tactics. For example, REAL says that most solar evaluations and sales presentations should last no more than about 2 hours. If a salesman outstays that by a lot, and uses the time to push you for a decision to buy or your signature on a contract today, toss him out on his ear and call another company to install your solar panels.

Ask About Credentials and Licensing

Find out what licenses and credentials are required to install solar panels in your county or township and then check to make sure your solar panels installer has the proper credentials.

Work With Knowledgeable People

The representative who comes to evaluate your property for a solar PV installation should be knowledgeable enough to answer all of your questions and explain the particulars in a way that you can understand. If you’re left with questions or told not to concern yourself, run, don’t walk, for another solar PV installation company.

Consider What You’ll be Giving Up if You Choose a Free Installation Company

Energy experts estimate that the return on solar panels could amount to several thousand pounds over the course of 25 years. When you sign a contract handing over your Feed-In Tariff payments, you’re signing away a guaranteed income stream that has been rated one of the best investments in the country.

Solar PV installation is a cash cow for a lot of unscrupulous operators. Before you choose someone to install your solar panels, be sure to research the company and only sign a contract when you’re certain of its honesty and ability.

Why Solar Panels Make Sense As Well As Cents

The big news about solar panels for the past several months has been on how they can save you money and provide a stream of income that outweighs the original investment. Even in the face of planned reductions in the Feed-in Tariff Scheme, experts estimate that most people who install solar PV systems will completely recover their investment within 8 to 10 years. That’s a rather short space of time to realize ROI, but the figure only tells part of the story.

In fact, you’ll start reaping the benefits of your solar PV system immediately, including the monetary benefits. Consider that you’re not actually waiting 8 to 10 years to get your money back on your solar PV system – you’re getting money back each month in the form of lower payments to your electric supplier and payments from the Feed-in Tariff.

Depending on how you elect to pay the cost of your solar panels and its installation, you could be seeing a reduction in your monthly expenses immediately. If, for example, you pay for your entire solar system in cash out of your savings, you’ll have more cash in your budget every month from the very start. If you finance, you have to count your loan payment against the income and savings, but as you pay off the loan, you’ll see substantial monthly cash flow savings. While that’s not the same as return on your investment, the ease in cash flow can still be a significant factor in your decision.

Solar panels also make sense for many other reasons. Solar PV systems provide totally clean energy, which is good for the planet. The more of our electricity that comes from solar PV, the less has to be generating by burning carbon fuels. The overall carbon savings may not seem like much on an individual basis, but when they’re taken in combination with all the other solar panels in the UK, it’s a significant reduction in the amount of pollution filling the air.

According to the Department of Energy and Climate Control, about 80 percent of the buildings in the UK, including most residential buildings, have a suitable roof space for installing solar panels. In order to benefit from a solar PV installation, you need a roof that faces south, west or east – with south being preferable. It should have a pitch of between 20 and 60 degrees, with the preference being between 30 and 50 degrees. Roofs with lesser pitches may benefit with the help of frames that angle the solar panels. Finally, it should be free of shadows for most of the day.

You can learn whether your property is suitable for installing solar panels and find out how much you could benefit by contacting a local company that installs solar PV systems. They’ll be happy to come out to your home and do an evaluation.

Six Questions to Ask Before Buying Solar Panels

Solar PV systems offer more than inexpensive electricity, though that’s certainly one of the more attractive features of solar panels. When you switch from using electricity from a gas or coal-fired power plant to electricity supplied by your own solar PV system, you also take a step toward energy independence and help increase both national security and your own self-sufficiency. With the UK government subsidizing the use of grid-tied solar PV systems through the Feed-in Tariff Scheme, there’s never been a better time to buy solar panels and install a solar PV system to generate at least part of the electricity you use.

At the same time, solar PV systems represent a significant investment for the property owner – not an unreasonable one, considering the return you’ll get from your solar panels. Before you sign a contract with a solar contractor, you should ask a few important questions.

Will Your Solar PV System be Installed by a Certified Installer Under the Supervision of an Experienced and Licensed Electrician?

Solar PV systems are not toys, and the current can kill. The trend toward DIY installation has left a lot of people believing that anyone can install solar panels. In fact, it’s important that the people who install your solar PV system be licensed and certified. And if safety isn’t enough to convince you, consider this: if your system isn’t installed by a credentialed installer, you won’t qualify for the Feed-in Tariff Scheme.

What Type of Components Will the Solar Installation Company Use?

The quality of the components has a direct effect on the durability, usability and output power of your solar panels. The best solar panels are rated to a number +5%-0%, which have been tested to produce at least their rated power, plus additional wattage. That’s a boon for the homeowner, who’ll reap the extra wattage in electricity savings.

Is Your Solar PV Contractor a Member of the REAL Assurance Scheme?

The REAL Assurance Scheme is a membership organization that holds solar installers to high standards and functions as a watchdog for companies that use shady business practices or do poor quality work. Check with the REAL Assurance Scheme to learn about your installer’s history.

Is the Company That Will Install Your Solar Panels Properly Licensed and Permitted?

Check with your local planning and zoning board to find out what licenses and registrations are required for someone to install solar PV systems in your area, and then check to make sure that your installer has the proper permits and licenses.

Does the Company That Will Install Your Solar PV System Participate in Ongoing Training and Education?

The solar industry is constantly evolving and changing, with new products and methods being introduced frequently. Don’t be afraid to ask your contractor what kind of ongoing training the workmen and installers receive. It will guarantee that the people who install your solar panels will know the most up-to-date methods.

Does the Company That Will be Doing the Actual Installation Work Carry Liability Insurance?

This is vital for your protection. If an accident occurs and one of the workmen is injured, you could be held liable. Likewise, if something happens and your house is damaged, you may have no recourse if the company doesn’t carry liability insurance.

Solar panels can help you increase your energy independence, lower your electric bills and help reduce the strain we put on the planet. Being altruistic shouldn’t stop you from making sure that you’re properly protected and that your solar PV system is installed properly.

7 Things to Know Before You Buy Solar Panels

Are you considering buying a solar PV system for your electricity? First, congratulations and thank you very much. You’re doing something that’s important for the environment and the planet – but you’re also going to be saving yourself a nice lot of cash. Before you plunk down your hard-earned dough, though, there are a few things you should know about solar panels and solar PV systems.

Solar technology has improved dramatically in the past decade or so. Today’s solar panels have remarkably good efficiency, and can convert more than 20 percent of the energy that strikes their surface into usable electricity.

You won’t need batteries for your solar PV system if you choose a grid-tied model. Grid-tied systems are set up to use the electricity generated by your solar panels when it’s available, and draw from your electricity company at night or when you need more than your system is producing.

If you produce more electricity than you can use, the excess will be fed into the grid for use by others. The electricity produced by your solar PV system will never go to waste, even if you’re not using it all yourself.

A grid-tied solar PV system also allows you to participate in the Feed-In Tariff Scheme, which pays you for every kilowatt hour of electricity provided by your solar panels. That applies to the electricity you use yourself. You’ll also receive an additional payment for every kilowatt hour of excess electricity that you feed into the grid. That’s even better than getting free electricity.

The amount of your tariff is guaranteed for 25 years. You may have heard a lot lately about planned reductions to the FiTS and thought to yourself, “Aha! I knew it was too good to be true.” The truth is this: those who have already installed solar PV systems and registered them for the FiTS will continue to get the higher payment rate that was in force when they installed their solar panels. Likewise, the amount of the tariff you receive when you register your solar panels is guaranteed to stay at that amount or above for 25 years.

Solar panels last for up to 30 years. The only maintenance you’ll have to do is to hose them down a couple of times each summer to keep their faces clear of dirt and debris, which will reduce their efficiency. You may have to replace the inverter, which converts the current from your solar panels to electricity that you can use in your home, after about 15 years.

A solar PV system will add to the value of your home. In fact, you can expect to recover up to 72 percent of your initial layout in increased home value. That’s an incredibly high return on your investment compared to most home improvements.

Installing solar panels in your home represents a hefty investment, but the return on a solar PV system is well worth it, both in terms of returns to your wallet and more intangible returns, such as the good feeling you get from increasing your energy independence.

Six Questions About Solar Panels You May Be Embarrassed to Ask

With all the focus on solar panels and solar PV systems over the past few years, we’ve seen a lot of questions and myths get repeated here, there and everywhere around the web. It’s natural for people to have questions about solar electricity, especially if they’re considering sinking a significant amount of money into putting an array of solar panels up on their roofs. The unfortunate side effect of having so much misinformation about solar PV floating around, though, is that people assume that they know the answer to some pretty basic questions about the way that solar energy works – or worse, they’re embarrassed to ask what sounds like a simple question to which everybody else already knows the answer. If you’ve been keeping your questions about solar energy and solar PV systems to yourself because you’re embarrassed to ask – or for any other reason – you might find the answer here.

Do Solar PV Panels Work in the Rain?

Yes. Many people assume that solar panels need direct sunlight to generate electricity. While they’ll produce the most electricity with direct sunlight, all they really need is natural daylight. Just like you can still get a nasty sunburn on a cloudy day, a solar PV installation can still produce electricity with cloud cover – and even in the rain.

How About at Night?

No. As noted above, solar panels require daylight to produce electricity. However, most solar panels will produce more electricity than you’re actually able to use at the time it’s generated. That’s why most people choose to either tie their new solar PV system to the grid or add a storage battery to their solar system. A grid-tied system will feed the excess power into the electrical grid so that others can use it – and you’ll be paid for it – and allow you to draw power from the grid when your solar panels aren’t actually producing enough electricity for your needs – such as at night. A storage battery will store any excess energy generated by your solar PV system so that you can draw on it at night and when you need more energy than your system is producing.

Do Solar Panels Make a Lot of Noise?

Solar panels are 100% silent. They have no mechanical or moving parts to make any noise. They just rest on your rooftop and collect daylight to do their work.

Will my Solar Panels Work in the Winter When it’s Cold?

Absolutely. Temperature has no effect at all on the workings of a solar panel. In fact, solar panels are a popular method of energy generation in Alaska. The only real problem for a solar system in the winter is snow – as long as daylight can reach the panels, they’ll generate electricity, so you may have to clear snow away from them in winter.

Will a Solar PV System Heat my Water?

No. Solar PV systems generate electricity. If you want to heat your hot water with the sun, you’ll need a thermal solar system.

Do Solar Panels Need to be Cleaned?

Occasionally. Solar panels are most efficient when they’re clean, so you should clean them on occasion. Most experts recommend an annual cleaning, though it may be a little more often if you live in an area where there’s a lot of soot or pollution in the air.

If you have other questions about solar panels or solar PV systems, call a local business that installs solar energy systems in your area. They’ll be happy to answer any questions you may have, no matter how silly they may seem to you.

Finding a Good Installer for Your Solar Panels

When you decide to switch to cleaner, greener solar panels to supply part of your energy needs, it’s important to choose a reliable, reputable installer. Proper installation is a vital part of getting the most from your solar PV installation, and poor installation can cause all sorts of problems. People who have contracted with the wrong solar company have reported all sorts of issues to the REAL Assurance Scheme, a member organization of solar panel installers who agree to abide by certain standards. Those problems range from inconvenience during the installation to major damage to their roof. If you want to avoid problems and ensure that your solar panels are high quality and installed properly, be sure that you follow these tips when choosing an installer for your solar PV system.

Ask the Installer About Certification

If you intend to participate in the Feed-in Tariff Scheme, you must choose an installer that is accredited and registered with the MCS (Microgeneration Cerfification Scheme). Check the registration to be sure that you’ll be able to participate in the scheme. You can also check to see if the company you want to use is a registered member of the REAL Assurance Scheme. Every REAL member agrees to adhere to high standards in both the products they use and their installation methods.

Be Careful of Companies That Offer Free Solar Panels

Many UK companies are offering free solar panels and installation in return for the right to claim your FITS payments. It may be tempting, but most experts agree that you’ll do better to pay for the panels and the installation and benefit from the payments for the next 25 years. In general, even at the proposed reduced rates, you’ll get enough of a return on your solar panels to pay for the installation within 10 years, but you’ll continue to receive payments from the FITS for a full 25 years.

Check With REAL Assurance for Complaints About the Company

REAL Assurance fields complaints about solar panel installers throughout the UK. Before you sign a contract with any company, check with the REAL Assurance Scheme to find out if there have been complaints lodged against the company and how or if they have been resolved.

Ask for References – and Check Them

Ask the solar PV installers you talk to if they will provide you with references from others who’ve had solar panels installed by them. Don’t be satisfied with letters of satisfaction or testimonials – insist on being able to contact former customers and speak to them directly.

Be sure that you choose a reputable, reliable company to install your solar panels and you’ll reap the benefits for decades to come.

Is My Home Suitable for Solar Panels?

Is my home suitable for solar panels? That’s the first question most homeowners ask about solar panels. Most people have formed an image of the years of what solar energy is and what it requires – sunny days and lots of them. In fact, solar technology has advanced to the point where today’s solar panels will generate significant amounts of electricity even on cloudy days.

The Department of Energy and Climate Change estimates that about 80 percent of UK homes are suitable for solar panel installation. There are, however, some factors that make one home a better candidate for solar power than others.

The Three Key Requirements for Solar Panels

The three most important things to consider when deciding if your home is a good candidate for solar panels are direction, angle and shadow. If your home meets all three requirements, there’s a good chance you – and your electric bills – will benefit from installing solar panels on your roof.

Direction

Solar panels require sunlight to produce electricity, even if that sunlight is reaching the panels through a cloud cover. The more direct sunlight the panels receive, the more electricity they will generate.  Roofs with a southern exposure will receive more direct sunlight than roof surfaces that face in other directions. East and west facing roof surfaces will also receive sufficient sunlight to generate enough electricity to make solar panels worthwhile.

Angle

The pitch of your roof makes a difference in the amount of sunlight it receives during the day, which in turn affects the amount of energy that your solar panels can generate. The optimal angle for your roof’s pitch depends a great deal upon where your home is located. A local solar system installer can help you decide if your roof is at the right angle for solar panels. Keep in mind that there are ways of installing solar PV panels at varying angles by using frames.

Shade

Anything that blocks the sun’s rays from reaching the solar panels can affect the amount of electricity they’ll generate. If your roof is shadowed by overhanging trees, chimneys or surrounding properties or landforms, a solar installer may be able to find ways to work around it. Again, the best source of information is a person experienced in planning and installing solar panels.

Most solar panel installations need very little maintenance over the years, and carry a 20 to 25 year guarantee. The inverter, which transforms the electricity generated by the solar panels into usable household current, may require replacing during that time, but it’s a relatively inexpensive and simple replacement to do. If your home is among the 80 percent of UK homes that are suitable candidates for solar PV panels, you’ll save money and help the country meet its energy goals.

Types of Solar Panels

There are four different types of solar panels used for generating electricity – monocrystalline, polycrystalline, hybrid and amorphous silicon. While they’re all made of silicon, the different types of solar PV panels are cut and treated differently. Because of the differences, they vary in cost as well as in efficiency. When you’re comparing the cost of installing solar panels on your property, it’s important to know which type of solar PV panels you’re pricing so that you’re comparing apples and oranges.

Monocrystalline Solar Panels

Monocrystalline solar cells are the most familiar and the oldest type of solar cells in use. They’re more expensive to produce, and thus, monocrystalline solar panels are more expensive to install. They are, however, more efficient and are generally considered to be the workhorse of the solar power world. Monocrystalline solar PV panels are also somewhat smaller than other types of solar panels and can fit on a smaller roof.

Multicrystalline Solar Panels

Multicrystalline – also called polycrystalline – solar PV panels are cut from silicon crystals that grow in multiple directions. They’re less expensive to create and are also slightly less efficient. Because they’re less efficient than monocrystalline solar panels, they tend to be larger and heavier. A new type of silicon could be a big game changer in the field of multicrystalline solar panels, though. These silicon nitride panels are rated as high as or higher than monocrystalline solar cells of the same size.

Amorphous Solar Panels

Amorphous technology, also known as thin film solar panels, is a wild card in the mix. Thin film solar panels are generally less expensive to make than either mono or multi crystalline panels, but their efficiency rating is also considerably lower than either. That means that the solar panels array has to be larger in order to deliver the same amount of electricity – and consequently, they require a larger roof surface for installation.

Hybrid Solar Panels

Solar panels that combine both crystalline cells and thin film cells – generally called hybrid solar PV panels – are the most efficient of all types of solar panels, but are also the most expensive.

Which Type of Solar PV Panels Are Right for You?

There are a few factors to consider when deciding which type of solar panels are right for you. The two most important of these factors are your budget and the amount of space you have to devote to your solar installation. Generally, if you have little space, it’s worth the extra cash to invest in monocrystalline solar panels, which are more expensive, but take up less space and are more efficient. If, on the other hand, you have the room for a larger system, you can save money with an array of multicrystalline solar PV panels.

Five Reasons You Should Consider Solar Panels for Your Home

Solar panels produce clean energy that you can use to power your home and heat your water, but is it a good investment of your money? Let’s be real for a moment. One of the biggest drawbacks most people face in switching to solar energy is the cost. Installing solar panels on your property represents a significant cash investment. Are solar panels worth the cost? These quick facts can help you decide for yourself.

It Takes Between 2 and 8 Years to Recover the Cost of Installing a Solar PV System

When you install solar panels, your electricity costs will decrease significantly. The exact amount of your savings depends upon your typical energy use, the size of the solar pv system you install and how well it produces energy. Remember that every unit of electricity your solar panels generate is a unit you don’t have to pay your electric supplier for. You could conceivably cut your energy bill in half during the summer months, and see significant savings the rest of the year.

Rebates, Grants, Tariffs and Other Incentives can Reduce Your Costs Considerably

In many countries, the government offers financial incentives to sweeten the pot and get people to adopt solar panels or other renewable energy sources. In the UK, those who install solar pv systems are eligible to receive a payment for every unit of electricity produced by their solar panels. The payments are guaranteed for 25 years, which means that you’ll continue to get cash back on your solar energy investment long after the system has paid for itself.

Most Solar Panels are Guaranteed for 20 Years

Most solar panel manufacturers offer a 20 year guarantee on their solar panels. The details of the guarantees vary, but the length of the guarantee is a good gauge of the expected lifespan of your system. When you divide the cost of your system over the course of 20 years, you’ll see that the investment is quite reasonable.

You’ll Never Run out of Electricity

One of the biggest concerns many people have about solar panels is that they won’t produce enough electricity for their needs. Most solar pv systems today are grid-tied systems – that is, they are connected to your home’s current electricity system. The system is designed to draw first from the solar panels and then from the grid, so you never have to worry that you won’t have electricity.

You Save Money for Every Kilowatt Hour of Electricity You Use

Right now, you pay your electric supplier for every unit of electricity your home uses. When you install solar panels, you’ll be replacing those units of electricity with free power. Every unit of electricity provided by your solar panels reduces your electric bill by one unit of electricity. That can add up considerably over the course of the year.

If you want to know more about solar panels and whether they’d be a good investment for your home, contact a local solar pv installer and make an appointment for a consultation.

Do Solar Panels Produce Enough Electricity for Your Home?

One of the first questions people ask when they’re considering installing solar panels for home use  is whether a solar pv system will produce enough energy for their electrical needs. The question comes up especially often here in the UK, with its reputation for cloudy winters and short days. There’s no single answer to the question, of course. It depends on the size of the solar panels you install, the configuration you choose and the location and angle of your home.

In general, though, the typical home solar panels installation will probably not supply all the electricity you use in your home. For most people, the most logical solar system is a grid-tied solar pv system, which generates electricity for immediate use. The typical grid-tied system doesn’t include a storage battery, so your solar panels will only be supplying electricity for your use during the day. At night and during periods of extended cloudiness, you’ll still be able to pull power from your power supplier.

This arrangement gives you the best of both words – during the day, you’ll get free electricity from your solar panels, which cuts your energy bill considerably. If you opt in to the UK’s feed in tariff scheme, you’ll even be paid for every unit of electricity your solar pv system produces. That amounts to double savings – you don’t pay for your electricity. Instead, you get paid for producing it.

At the same time, you avoid the inconvenience of uneven electrical production. Because solar panels depend upon the sun to generate electricity, they naturally produce more electricity at different times of the day and different times of the year. If you choose a grid-tied solar pv system, you’ll never notice the inconsistency of electricity production. Your system will be set up to draw power first from your solar panels, and then, if you require additional energy, from your chosen power supplier.

During the day, your solar panels are likely to produce more energy than you actually use. In an off-grid system, that additional electricity would be stored in a battery for you to draw on when there’s no sunlight. With a grid-tied system, that additional energy will be fed from your solar panels into the electrical grid.

Because the UK is aiming to increase its domestic use of renewable energy, the government has committed to paying property owners for every unit of electricity they produce through solar panels and other green energy systems. For more information about solar panels and how you can benefit from the feed in tariff scheme, contact a local solar installation company and ask for s consultation.

Why Free Solar Panels Are a Bad Idea

You’ve seen the adverts promising free solar panels and installation – it’s hard to miss them, after all. They may sound like a good deal, but there are a number of reasons that accepting a free solar PV system deal may not be to your advantage. Here’s what they’re not explaining to you.

How Solar Companies Benefit from Giving You Free Solar Panels

The UK is pressing to increase the use of renewable energy sources as quickly as possible. To that end, the Department of Energy and Climate Change offers a subsidy to energy producers for each kilowatt hour of electricity produced by renewable energy sources like solar panels. It’s called a feed in tariff, and it’s paid directly to the owner of the solar PV system.

The feed-in tariff rate is set by DECC, and is guaranteed to stay the same or to increase for 25 years from the time that a solar PV system is certified and accepted into the system. At current rates, the solar panels on your roof are likely to pay for themselves in just six to seven years. Most companies that offer free solar panels and solar PV installation hold a contract for 25 years – because that’s the number of years they can reap the benefit of the feed-in tariff. Even if it takes a full ten years to recover the cost of your solar panels through the tariff, the solar company will receive 15 or more years of profit that could be going into your pockets instead. Why would you give up 15 to 18 years of steady, tax-free income for generating your own electricity and reducing your electric costs each month?

In addition, when a solar company installs a free solar PV system on your roof, it ties up your roof for the next 25 years. While that’s also true if you pay to have the solar panels installed yourself, you’ll have control over them in a way that you won’t if they’re owned by an electricity supplier or a solar company. If there’s damage to your roof and you have to remove the solar panels, who will pay? Will you be liable for other costs if you have to remove the solar panels? And what happens if the solar company fails to honor its commitment to repair and maintain the solar panels on your roof?

When you choose to buy a solar PV system and have it installed, you’ll have full control over the system and over your roof. You’ll also benefit from the feed-in tariff scheme, which could put money in your pocket for the next 25 years.

Installing Solar Panels? The Time to Act Is Now!

If you’ve been considering installing solar panels on your roof, it’s time to stop dilly-dallying and act. One of the prime homeowner incentives for installing solar pv panels has been the feed-in tariff offered and guaranteed by the UK Department of Energy and Climate Change. At current rates, the feed-in tariff scheme, set at rates guaranteed for 25 years, could generate enough savings/earnings to pay off the cost of your new solar panels and solar system in about 10 years, and generate an additional £15,000 over the next 15 years.

The FITS pays homeowners who install solar panels a fixed amount for every kilowatt hour of electrical power generated by their solar pv system, and an additional small amount for every kw/h or energy sent back to the grid. Currently, the rate stands at 43.3p per kilowatt hour of energy produced and an additional 3p per kw/h for excess energy fed back to the grid. Those rates are set at the time the solar system is certified, and are guaranteed at that rate for 25 years. The rate is also tied to an index so that it will increase with inflation over the years.

As of October 28, 2011, though, DECC has proposed a reduction in the rates paid by FITS, from 43p to 21p per kw/h – a reduction of more than half. At that rate, the payback period for your solar pv system will be closer to 18 years, and the additional return after payback reduced to about £3,800 – still attractive, to be sure, but nowhere near as attractive as the scheme currently stands.

The reduction is scheduled to take effect on systems certified after December 12. Solar pv systems installed and certified before that date will be eligible for the 43.3p scheme. The demand for solar panels and solar energy systems is high, but if you call around to local companies who do solar pv installations, there’s still time to get your system installed and certified before the December 12 cutoff.

If you miss that cutoff, though, there is still ample reason for booking a consultation and solar panels installation as soon as possible. DECC is also proposing new energy efficiency regulations which will go into effect in April 2012. In order to qualify for the FITS after that date, homes will have to meet energy efficiency standards that could add considerably to the cost of your solar pv installation.

Benefits of Installing Solar Panels On Your Property

The use of solar energy is coming of age in  the UK, with a little help from the government and the utility companies. As the world’s supply of oil and coal becomes more expensive and more restricted, energy provided by solar pv becomes a more and more attractive option. Installing solar panels on your roof has benefits that are both personal and universal. If you’ve thought about installing a solar pv system, but have yet to take any action, these facts about the benefits of installing a solar energy system may help you make your decision.

Benefits of Installing a Solar PV System

There are several types of solar energy systems for residential and commercial use, but they fit into two basic broad categories – grid-connected and off-grid. Grid-connected systems are an addition to your current electrical system. Off-grid systems are completely independent of the current electrical grid. There are benefits and drawbacks to each type of installation, but the most common type of solar energy system installed today is grid-connected.

When you install solar panels on your roof as part of a grid-connected system, the electricity produced will be available for your use as it’s generated. If you need more power to operate all of your electrical devices, your system will draw it from the traditional energy grid only when there isn’t enough solar power available. If your system generates more electricity than you need at the time, the excess power is fed into the electrical grid to be available for others to use. If that happens, you’ll receive credit for every kilowatt hour of energy fed back into the system. That amount will be deducted from your electric bill each month. If you ever generate more electricity than you use for the entire month, the utility company may actually pay you rather than charging you for its services.

You can also take pride in the fact that your choice to install solar panels and use clean, green energy from the sun helps the planet. According to energy experts, every kilowatt hour of electricity produced by solar power prevents one pound of CO2 from entering the atmosphere. While that may seem like a small amount, when you add up all the hours of electricity you use and multiply it by solar panels on rooftops throughout the UK, you end up with a considerable amount of good for the atmosphere.

A local solar installation company can give you more information about the benefits of installing solar panels, and help you decide if a solar pv system is right for you.

Solar Panels and Distributed EnergyEnergy

One aspect of solar panels that’s seldom discussed is the issue of centralized vs. distributed energy. Currently, most of the world, the UK included, obtains most of its power from a centralized power grid. While this allows for easier maintenance and higher profits on the part of the utility companies, it also presents a serious security concern. In a nutshell, the more centralized the energy grid, the easier it is for one mishap or disaster to create chaos. If a natural disaster or act of terror disables a part of the energy grid, every home that relies upon that section of the grid for power will be left powerless.

In many parts of the world, countries are attempting to reduce their reliance on electricity produced in carbon-producing power plants. In equatorial countries, that often means huge centralized solar power fields, bristling with solar panels that feed energy to storage towers and from there into the electrical grid. While these centralized solar encampments reduce the use of carbon-based fuels and produce cleaner energy, they remain a security risk. The larger the production facility, the greater the risk it presents.

For decades, the popular view has been that the UK is a poor candidate for expansion of solar energy, in part because of its lack of a desert and large areas where direct sunlight falls on the surface for much of the year. It is, however, ideal for distributed solar energy installations, that is – rooftop solar panels installed on individual homes and other buildings. The advantages of this type of solar pv installation are many, both for the individual and in terms of energy security for the country.

The biggest advantage to the individual homeowner who chooses to have solar pv panels installed on his rooftop is reduced reliance on the centralized energy grid. While many home and business owners focus on the cost savings realized by replacing bought electricity with electricity produced from the sun, the benefits also include increased energy security. In simple words, if the power goes out, homes that have rooftop solar panels will still have some electricity to power vital appliances, such as the icebox and the furnace.

Because the UK is attempting to decrease its reliance on carbon-based fuels and shift to cleaner sources of energy, owners of residential and commercial buildings can take advantage of a number of schemes related to installing solar panels. They include subsidies, reduced taxes and a feed-in tariff that will pay them for any excess energy produced by their solar pv panels and fed back into the grid. Property owners who are interested in taking advantage of the incentives for installing solar panels should contact a local installer to evaluate their property for the installation of solar panels.

How to Judge Quality in Solar Panels

Solar panels provide energy for electricity and heat using the renewable energy of the sun. The government has made the production of renewable energy, including solar energy produced by solar photovoltaic panels, a priority, and is supporting it by means of feed-in tariffs and other economic encouragements. Because the installation of solar panels represents a significant investment for most households, it’s important to recognize quality and be sure that the solar thermal systems that you purchase are manufactured to the highest quality standards.

In general, solar panels should be strong, long-lasting and well-built, and promise a long life with little maintenance needed. You can look for certain qualities to help you determine whether the solar company you contact provides high quality solar panels and solar systems.

Solar Panel Certification

Ask the solar panel installer if the panels are certified. Solar panel certification guarantees that the manufacturer is producing solar panels following industry standards. The solar company should be able to tell you whether the solar pv panels they install are certified and under which certification they’re produced. Once you have the specifics, you can check online to see if the certification is valid.

Visually Inspect Solar Panels for Defects

Examine the solar panels for visual defects. There are three easy-to-spot defects that hint at poor quality construction in solar panels. They include visible scratches on the frame or the glass of the panels, excessive glue marks or glue on the glass and visible gaps between the solar panel frame and the glass due to incomplete sealing or poor sealing. The presence of these visible defects suggests shoddy workmanship and any solar company that doesn’t spot them or installs solar panels that show them is doing shoddy work that won’t deliver the best results for you.

The Solar Panel Box Should Be Light But Strong

The photovoltaic panels sit in a box or bed that holds them and attaches them to your roof. Because the system sits on your roof, it must be light enough to avoid placing undue stress on the roof, while being strong enough to withstand the elements and hold the solar panels in place.

Look Beyond the Solar Panels

Solar panels are the most visible part of a solar system, but they’re not the only part. Be sure that the solar installer is using high quality components for every part of your solar system for best results.

Low quality solar PV panels may work well in optimal conditions, but their power production drops dramatically when conditions are marginal. In fact, high quality solar panels will only drop off production slightly when conditions are less than optimal. For best results from your solar panels in all conditions, be certain that all of the components of your solar pv system are the best quality.