Solar panels, Hybrid Inverter and Battery Storage

Solar photovoltaic (PV) converts sunlight into electrical energy. A panel consists of many cells (each cell is smaller than the width of 4 human hairs). When light shines onto the cell a flow of electricity is produced. The cells do not need direct sunlight to work and will generate electricity even on cloudy days. However, the stronger the sunlight the more electricity that will be generated.

(https://www.energy.gov/eere/solar/how-does-solar-work)

Each system is usually made up of a number of panels that are generating a direct current (DC). The electricity in a home is alternating current (AC) so an inverter is installed alongside the system to convert the DC from the panels into AC energy that can be used in the home or exported back to the grid. 200

(https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/advice/solar-panels)

Panels can be installed on pitched roofs, flat roofs or as a ground mount.

The ideal location for panels is a southerly facing roof. However, a west or east facing roof can still be installed on and have an excellent production of energy. Should there be shading from trees or chimneys then optimisers can be fitted to the panels to boost their performance.

Ground mounting systems are an option for those without roof space – these can be installed on mounting systems similar to solar farms or in heavy duty plastic pods that are filled with ballast.

Mark Harvey Renewables offer a free, no obligation assessment to find out what the best system for a homeowner’s energy needs are. Our surveyor will spend time discussing the energy use in the home before making recommendations on equipment. Whilst there the surveyor will take photos of the roof, meters and fuse board to allow them to complete a full quotation and estimates on financial benefits and performance expectations.

Once the customer has accepted and signed a contract we then ask the electrician and roofer to complete surveys based on the proposed installations. This is to ensure that the correct equipment is provided and the job runs smoothly during the installation.

Prior to the starting day of installation the Customer Care department will liaise with the homeowner about the schedule of work.

A few days before the PV installation the scaffolding will be erected.

On the day of the installation the equipment will be delivered, the PV fitter will attend and begin to fit the panels.

Either on the same day or the following days the electrician will attend and wire up the system, finally testing it and commissioning it. The electrician will explain how the system works before leaving.

Once the system is up and running the Customer Care department will issue you with all the paperwork to claim SEG payments from the Energy provider and the surveyor will check that the homeowner is happy. Any queries, however small, can be answered with a phone call or an email.

Once installed the customer goes on to produce their own electricity for many years – lowering their energy bills and claiming back some of the cost from their SEG payments if they so wish.

In the UK, panels placed on a southerly facing roof are likely to perform best as they will receive the most sunlight a day. If you do not have a roof facing in that direction then east or west will perform better with optimisers fitted to boost their performance.

Solar panels should be cleaned regularly to allow them to work most efficiently. A soft rag and a biodegradable soap are best or if cleaned regularly, washing them down with a hosepipe will wash away debris and dust.

(https://www.greenmatch.co.uk/blog/2016/04/cleaning-and-maintenance-tips-for-solar-panels)

The Government introduced the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) for licenced energy providers in January 2020 – this was in place of the Feed-In-Tariff scheme (FIT). You can only claim for one of these, not both. This works by selling any excess energy you generate back to an energy provider.

From 23rd March 2022 the Government scrapped VAT on solar panels.

The most common types of domestic solar panels are:

• Monocrystalline panels are made from one piece of silicon and are known as the most efficient type of panel and usually the most expensive. The single-crystal silicon is then cut into wafers that allows the electrons to flow free - this results in high efficiency.
• Polycrystalline panels are made by melting pieces of silicon into square moulds which form the solar cells. These are cheaper to produce and use the waste from the cut outs of the monocrystalline panels to create the polycrystalline cells.
• Thin-film solar panels are easier to produce and are often the cheapest type on the market. These are the least efficient panel with the shortest life span. These are made by placing a PV material onto another layer and then they are made into a flexible panel.

Monocrystalline or polycrystalline solar panels can be recycled; 95% of the glass, 85% of the silicon and all of the metals are reused. This is a costly process. Thin-film panels are recycled with a different process.

(https://www.greenmatch.co.uk/solar-energy/solar-panels)

• Solar panels must not be installed above the highest part of the roof (excluding the chimney)
• Panels should protrude no more than 20cm from the surface on which they are installed (roof slope/wall face)
• Panels should be installed, to minimise the aesthetic impact upon the building’s exterior
• Panels must not be installed on a property located within the grounds of a listed building without the permission of the listed building owners.

It is advisable to check with your local planning officer if your property falls into the category of listed or conservation area.

(https://www.renewableenergyhub.co.uk/main/solar-panels/legal-and-planning-permission-associated-with-solar-panels)

Sunlight is free so once you have paid for the installation, your energy bills will be reduced. You can also benefit by claiming Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) payments from your Energy provider.

(https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/advice/solar-panels/)

Solar panels are made up of solar PV Cells (solar photovoltaic cells); these generate power from daylight – not sun or heat. When light shine on them it makes electrons move, this creates the electricity. The stronger the daylight the more electricity produced. But even when the winter months are on us there is still enough light to generate electricity.

(https://www.eonenergy.com/our-blog/do-solar-panels-work-in-winter.html)

Yes, for systems under 3.6kw Mark Harvey Renewables informs the Distributing Network Operator (DNO) of your installation afterwards through a form called a G98. For systems over 3.6kw we inform the DNO prior to the installation, through the G99, as they have to check that the wires supplying power to your home can cope with the power you will be generating and sending back to the grid.