Solar power depends on the overall intensity of light received, not necessarily a high amount of direct, unobstructed sunlight to generate electricity. That’s important to remember because we all know how infrequent clear blue skies are in the UK, meaning you can still usefully install solar panels.
Depending on which system is specified, electricity bills could virtually disappear over the summer months. It is possible that your home could be almost self sufficient in summer months with winter bills being substantially reduced.
When your panels are making more electricity than you're using, you can sell it back to your energy company! So you’ll see lower energy bills and reduce harmful CO2 emissions into the environment.
And just like having a conservatory installed, adding solar panels has been shown to increase the value of your home, so your investment starts to payback from day one.
ok, but why solar PV?
Solar photovoltaics is undoubtedly the most reliable form of low carbon electricity generation.
There are no noisy moving parts or expensive maintenance regimes and none of the need to change heating boilers or replace pipe work associated with solar hot water systems.
Our systems have a life expectancy of over 30 years, so performance warranties of over 25 years is a realistic achievement.
PV is also an ideal way of meeting building regulations requirements and both current and future local authority renewable energy generation planning requirements.
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Before installing PV solar panels to generate energy for your home, there are some steps that Planet Solar recommend to reduce your energy consumption.
Every little helps, and reducing consumption is important because it will reduce the size of the PV system you will need to install and in addition will make sure that the energy the new system generates is not wasted.
What are the steps?
- Install low energy light bulbs & turn lights off when leaving a room
- If you are buying new appliances, get "A" rated energy efficiency
- Turn off TVs, videos, DB radios, don't leave on standby.
This can reduce energy usage by 15% alone!
- Don't leave appliances recharging for longer than recommended
- Insulate lofts to 27cms depth
- Install cavity wall insulation
- Insulate water tanks and pipes
- Lower the temperature regulator slightly on your hot water system
- Draught proof your home to eliminate draughts
- Turn down your room thermostats slightly
- Fit thermostatic valves to radiators
- Dress appropriately in winter!
- Do not leave the fridge door open for longer than is necessary
- Allow hot or warm food to cool before storing in the fridge/freezer
- Defrost your fridge/freezer regularly if not automatic
- If a fridge/freezer is next to a boiler, leave a gap or fit insulation
- Wash or dry with a full load, or use economy settings correctly
- Make sure the dishwasher is full before you turn it on
- Take shorter showers
- Close curtains at night to prevent heat escaping
- Install energy efficient double glazing
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Illustration - a 2KWp domestic installation generates approximately 50% of an average domestic requirement
