| Solar Photovoltaics have recently been made | | | | 25 years, with a real working lifespan of up to |
| popular due to the introduction of the UK feed-in | | | | and over 40 years. |
| tariff. The Teed-In Tariff (FiT) is a fixed rate of | | | | Photovoltaic Systems perform best when fitted |
| pay for energy units exported to the grid, paid by | | | | south-facing, however the systems can perform |
| the Government as an incentive to meet | | | | well in any aspect from ESE to WSW, dependent |
| renewable energy targets. | | | | upon location. Panels are angled to about 30 |
| Solar Photovoltaics, or Solar PV as it is commonly | | | | degrees, to ensure their yield is as high as |
| known in the trade, is a technology which takes | | | | possible. Panels should not be placed in an area |
| the energy in visible light and coverts it into | | | | that can be shaded for any part of the day. |
| useable Direct Current (DC) electricity. Panels are | | | | Because of the nature of wiring the cells |
| arranged into strings on property roofs and also in | | | | together, each panel in the array can only |
| free standing arrays. They are connected into | | | | perform as well as the worst performing. |
| arrays, and their electricity is converted from DC | | | | Any specialist's solar PV installers will know to |
| to Alternating Current (AC) via an Inverter. | | | | locate panels in this manner, so it is important to |
| Energy is measured in Kilowatt Hours (kWh) - a | | | | get your system designed by a professional. If |
| typical system will generate roughly double the | | | | space is a limiting factor, there are methods of |
| amount of energy the building will need each day, | | | | still gaining the highest yield of your roof via using |
| ensuring the home owner can meet the return on | | | | higher efficiency panels. Sharp 185W are the |
| investment that they expect - about 8% per | | | | chosen panels by many installation companies, |
| annum. Commercial Buildings typically choose to | | | | however depending on the specific details and |
| offset a proportion of their energy use to meet | | | | specification, alternatives can be offered. Panels |
| standards. Newer buildings will require at least 10% | | | | come in different sizes and efficiencies; solar tiles |
| of their energy to be generated via renewable | | | | are available for new build and re-roofing older |
| methods. | | | | buildings. These tiles sit amongst roof tiles, in a |
| Photovoltaics have no moving parts, making it a | | | | less obtrusive manner than retrofitting panels, |
| good choice for renewable investment. Generally, | | | | however this is reflected in the price. |
| all panels are given a manufacturer's warranty of | | | | |