SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS

What are Solar Electric systems?

Also known as photovoltaic (PV) systems, which are based on panels made up of semi-conductor cells that convert sunlight into electrical power. The panels produce Direct Current (DC) and in a Grid connected system this power is fed into an inverter which converts the electricity to Alternating Current (AC). The inverter also provides safe disconnection within proscribed times set down in G83 and feeds the power into the National Grid through a watt-hour meter (measuring generated power) via your fuse board.

• A one thousand watt peak (1kWp) system will produce approximately 750 thousand watt hours (kWh) every year (kWh/a).
• The UK electric system produces 0.54kg CO2 for every kWh, therefore the 1kWP system will save approximately 459kg of CO2.
• For every 1kWp you will require in excess of 8m2 of roof or wall space.

We can provide solar electric systems for domestic, commercial and industrial applications: on-grid (grid connected), off-grid (stand-alone) and hybrid on-grid systems to maintain power even when the grid goes down.

The solar electric panels, which can be retro fitted on-roof to existing roofs or in-roof for new roofs, can be mounted vertical (facades) or horizontal (flat roofs). However there can be reductions in performance. The orientation also affects performance, as deviation from due south will observe a reduction in performance.

There are also tiles available to make the roof look by varying degree, depending upon the chosen system, indistinguishable from a conventional tiled roof.