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 In an effort to reduce the amount of electricity generated by polluting and outdated power plants, the government has instituted a scheme to pay property owners for generating their own electricity with small systems, including solar PV systems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.
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