Solar energy is one of the largest and most efficient types of renewable energy sources in the world. We harness the power of the sun’s rays to create electricity to light and heat homes and businesses. Your system can either produce electricity or heat water, all while cutting down on the amount carbon dioxide that you emit.
Solar panels give us an alternative that is greener than other forms of energy like central heating since they do not emit greenhouse gas emissions or pollute the air when they are operating. There have been many advancements in the technology of pv modules, and in recent times batteries. They are now much more accessible and cost-effective. Solar can save homes and companies hundreds of dollars a year on their electricity expenses.
Solar power is generated by solar cells that are individually charged. They join together to form solar panel system that is comprised of cells and conductive materials. They are able to convert energy from the sun and generate electricity that can be used to power your home.
There are several things we can consider to help you determine if solar panel installation could be right for you.
Different types of solar Panels
The first thing to note is that the type of solar PV panels and which one you choose will depend on the purpose you’ll need it for in addition to the area you have available and the amount of money you have to spend on the panels. Solar cells have come a long way since they first came into use. They’re now more advanced, which means they are not only more efficient but also more pleasing to the eye. The principal kinds of solar panels available are:
Monocrystalline solar modules: These kinds of solar panels take up less space than the polycrystalline panels but are about the same amount of efficient. They may be more expensive however.
Polycrystalline solar panel: the process of making these panels is much more simple. This makes them cheaper, but they’re slightly less efficient in high temperatures, but nothing to worry about when used for residential use. However, they do require more space because they tend to require more of them.
The thin-film solar cell: these make use of substrates and photovoltaic cells . They then apply multiple layers of the material to form a base. There are a variety of types of materials that are used for these cells, and they are very easy to manufacture in masse and can be cheaper than other types of solar cells. They also have a greater flexibility.
Amorphous silicon solar cells: they typically have several layers which are stacked to boost their efficiency however, when compared with other solar cells, they are less efficient.
Biohybrid solar cell: these have been made to utilize a more natural method of photosynthesis. They do this by mixing organic and non-organic material. This is almost 100% efficiency, but they are less efficient overall.
You can also purchase roof tiles which are solar. They are similar to normal roof tiles , and may also include a battery. If you own a listed property these can usually be the best option as they are loved by those who think solar panels aren’t very attractive. Tiles are significantly more expensive than photovoltaic PV since you’re likely to pay approximately PS10,000 for an average house with 3 inhabitants.
There is also a difference in solar panel and solar cell. Solar cells are made up of all the required components that convert sunlight into electricity. They are connected to create a solar panel which generates more electricity.
Energy storage is getting more efficient. With solar batteries becoming more widely used, the energy that your system produces during the day can be stored to use later in the evening or on cloudy days , when less power is produced. This is an excellent way to ensure that your home is far more efficient in terms of energy efficiency and you can get the most from your panels.
It is a popular misconception that the sun needs to be directly shining on the solar panel in order for it to function efficiently, but this is not the case. They are still able to produce electricity even on dull days, but they will be more efficient on sunny days during the summer time than during winter, since the sun is higher up in the sky. The best panels can have an efficiency of around 22 percentage. This is quite high performance considering the majority are about 15 percent.
The Benefits of Solar Panels
There are many benefits of producing solar power, here are a few of them:
It’s green: there are no harmful pollutants created when solar panels run, and when you use them, you’re using renewable energy to provide power to your home or business and reducing the carbon footprint.
Save on cash: any power you produce is free of charge and you can use it to power everything in your business or at home at no cost. It will, of course, lower your energy bills and help you save money over the long haul. Also, you’ll be able earn money through this Smart Export guarantee that replaces FIT which means a faster return on investment.
No planning permission: installing solar panels doesn’t require special permission. There are guidelines that must be observed, but it’s generally simple.
It’s renewable. The sun will not run out any time soon and they’re even able to work on cloudy days, so you’ll be able to get plenty of energy available throughout the year. Install a battery storage device to store any energy generated that you don’t need during the day. You can use it in the evening when the sun doesn’t shine. It will cut the carbon footprint of your home as a bonus too.
Effective throughout the year: they can generate energy throughout the yearlong, not only when the sun shines most.
Are there any drawbacks?
Yes, there can be several, the primary one is the cost. There was initially a substantial cost of installing them however, this has decreased a lot over the years in the past and continues to do so. They have become less expensive and less difficult to produce meaning the cost of purchasing them has been significantly reduced. Additionally, the savings you make on your energy bill will in the end outweigh this initial cost.
Another thing to take into consideration is dependence on sunlight. They perform best in light, but they do work on daytime clouds. They can’t work at night , therefore some energy from the grid will need to be used at specific intervals. The best method to increase their efficiency is by using a battery to store power that is ready for use in the evening.
The long-term advantages of installing solar is far greater than the initial investment because it can save you money.
Since solar panels do not have moving parts, very little maintenance and servicing is required. Like a boiler solar panels should function effectively without the need for yearly maintenance. We get enough rain in the UK to ensure that you don’t often have cleaning them. If you think your solar panels aren’t producing enough energy, then there are some checks you can do or you can simply contact a certified installer to take care of your solar panel system. The warranties for solar panels vary according to the manufacturer and model you choose. Most likely, the panels themselves are protected for 10 to 25 years. Solar panels tend to last for between 25 and 30 years – which is at the very least 25 years of lower energy bills! Plus they won’t go out of service after a long time. Inverters may have to be replaced after 10/20 years.
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Always check what is suitable for your property prior to deciding to invest in it. You must consider location and which way your roof will face. If you live in the UK south is the best option as your panels will receive sunlight all day. Take a look at the roof. How big is it? How many panels do you need? Can they be stacked? ensure that they’re not shaded too much by things like large trees. It is vital to obtain good quality quotes that take all these factors into account.
“Generation Tariff” The “generation tariff” is the price you pay for the electric power that a household produced. Rates were set by the government and based on the size of your solar PV system as well as the date you signed up to the scheme. The initial rates were higher, there were some who paid over 50p per kilowatt hour but they were reduced over time and dropped to 4p for new customers in March 2019. After you secured a rate it was fixed for the duration of the contract, usually twenty or even 25 years. These payments reduced the overall duration required to earn back the amount you invested. The government has eliminated it FIT this year because of the price of solar panels decreasing and making them much more affordable.
“Export Tariff “export tariff” compensated homeowners for the surplus energy that they sold to the grid. Rates were set by the government for the entire contract duration and were in line with the market rate for electricity. It was 3.82p/kWh from August 2012 until after that 5.38p until the Feed-In Tariff scheme ended. Under the Feed-In Tariff all households were paying the same amount which comprised 50% of the energy generated by the solar panels. The amount of energy exported to the grid was not measured thus everyone received this regardless of how much electricity they exported.This is changing slightly in 2019, and is referred to as the generator rate tariff. Your supplier agrees a set rate to pay you for the energy per kWh that you generate. It is vital to remember that the rate is subject to vary each year with new projects and will fluctuate according to inflation. The payment will be similar to what you would receive from FIT and will be paid to you for a period of 20 years, and possibly longer until the system produces enough energy.
Even though the Feed In tariff has ended and some of the energy generated by your solar panels will ultimately go back to the grid. As under the current laws, it is illegal to be paid for this an entirely new system has been developed. The Smart Export Guarantee is one of the ways in which the Smart Export Guarantee comes in to play.
“Rent a roofing” schemes no longer exist due to the government scrapping the FIT.
Additionally, there is an incentive for renewable energy (RHI). This can be used to pay for solar thermal systems that can warm your hot water. Payments are made for up to 7 years , and dependent on the amount of heating your system produces. If you own your own property in England, Scotland or Wales it is possible to apply for the grant on the government website.
Smart Export Guarantee
The Smart Export Guarantee is a good news if you’re looking to get your money back on the initial investment. When the government announced the revisions to FIT the new solar projects were thrown into uncertainty, however, the government is now able to provide plans for an upcoming solar sector.
What is it that is Smart Export Guarantee? The final proposals of the Smart Export Guarantee were announced at the time of the announcement by the Government on the 10th of June, 2019. This Smart Export guarantee requires medium to large electricity supply companies , including SSE, EDF Energy, British Gas, npower, EON UK and ScottishPower (those that have more than 150,000 customers who are electricity consumers) to offer a Smart Export Guarantee (SEG). Smaller companies are able to offer it on the basis of a voluntary basis. Suppliers are already beginning to offer SEGs. However all qualified suppliers must to agree to the terms of payment you need for solar power, wind power , and others renewable energy imports by January 1st, 2020 by the date of the.
This is great news for solar panel owners, because most likely the scheme will naturally become marketised, rather than being subsidised. In the past the Feed in Tariff offered a fixed rate set by the government. It is now subsidies it will be an introductory rate. Once the new system is kicked in, it seems certain that there will be a battle between energy providers to offer better tariffs in order to win your trust.
In order to take advantage of the new proposed Export Guarantee scheme you need to install an MCS-certified installation. It is crucial to note that anyone who has installed solar panels between the time of the end of Feed in Tariff and the start in the scheme’s new phase will qualify for the new scheme.
The Solar Trade Association has been in favor of households being paid an equitable market price for the power they provide to the electricity grid just like the other generators. There are two obvious ways to determine fair pricing. One is through wholesale prices which is the rate that the market buys energy from to sell it to you. In 2018, the average was around 6p/kWh. The other is the “System Sell Price’, which was cited by the government as a fair value in its SEG consultation. This is the price that larger generators are paid in excess power when they produce more electricity than they contracted to generate. The annual average System Sell Price for the year was comparable (5.4p/kWh) to the previous FIT export tariff that was 5.2p/kWh.
This is a fantastic change for those who are considering going for solar panels but delaying doing so due to the demise in this Feed in Tariff. The prices have decreased significantly in the last decade, but the new scheme is also likely to become more flexible than the current tariff. With the price of solar falling by more than more than 80% since 2008 it was the perfect moment to examine the method by which the payments were paid. Companies and homes that have installed new solar panels will receive guaranteed payment for power provided back to the grid , to enable the smart energy systems that will be in place in the near future. It is likely to be an important upgrade to the current Feed-in Tariffs scheme.
Smart Export Guarantee Smart Export Guarantee will see electricity suppliers paying new small-scale energy producers for surplus power from businesses and homes being put back into the grid of energy. The new program could lead to the creation of a whole new market, encouraging suppliers to compete for this electricity, offering exporters the best market price and supplying the local grid with renewable, clean energy, unlocking greater choice and control for solar households over buying or selling electricity.
In the present, the government has only required electricity supply companies to buy electricity at prices that are above zero. The good news is that the electricity sector is changing fast and there are a lot of suppliers who are embracing smart energy to create an even more efficient, green power system and they want customers who are willing to take part. Companies early to uptake this new model include, Octopus who are offering both adjustable and fixed-rate SEGs Bulb who are offering customers who produce their own electricity to pay for any electricity they generate and sell to the grid (This is for solar-only customers as well as storage-only customers, or solar and storage co-located), and EON who will pay the first 500 new solar customers 5.24p per kilowatt hour (kWh) or energy that is exported back to the grid on the assumption that 50% of their generation is exported.
The more complex new system could take some time to be established, however there are savings to be made , and they will grow as the big energy companies come to join the game and compete against each other.
A lot of people are asked if it is possible to fit or construct yourself a solar-powered system. And yes, it is possible to construct this type of system, and this is the most affordable option. There are a few things to think about:
In order to benefit from the new Export Guarantee plan, it is necessary that you need to be an MCS certified installation.This should be performed by a certified engineer to make sure that security standards are adhered to. It may be difficult for someone to perform this with a system they did not put in themselves. Also, there could be issues when you plan to sell your property.
