Please note PV systems generate electricity and are not to be confused with Solar Thermal or solar water systems which are used to heat water.
What is solar electricity?
Solar electricity is the same as your regular mains supply, but because it's generated from sun light, it's clean, silent and from an inexhaustible supply.
“The sun delivers enough solar energy to earth in 15 minutes to supply the whole world with energy for year.”
PV* modules convert light into dc electricity. An inverter changes the dc electricity into ac electricity allowing us to use it in our homes for cooking and lighting etc. *The correct technical term for this process is Photovoltaic - or PV for short.
The simplest and most cost effective systems consist of a number of PV modules mounted onto a roof or onto a frame on the ground.
What is a Photovoltaic module?
PV modules are made up of specially coated Silicon cells. As light falls on these cells electrons rush from one side of the silicon to the other and an electrical current is created. The more cells there are the more current is generated. When the right number of modules are linked together enough voltage is created to match the system voltage with the mains or grid.
Module type & performance:
Poly Crystalline PV modules rated at 1 kWp will generate approximately 750-850kWh per annum in the UK climate* - provided the array is south facing and un-shaded.
Poly Crystalline modules are the most commonly used. Poly Crystalline means that the cells are cut from a block made from many pieces of silicon. These have a blue-flecked appearance. Most manufacturers offer Poly Crystalline modules.
Mono Crystalline PV modules rated at 1 kWp will generate approximately 850kWh per annum. *E.g. Sharp 180 watt modules.
Mono Crystalline modules usually have a white diamond shape between the cells. Mono Crystalline means the silicon cells are cut from a single block of silicon.
Hybrid PV modules rated at 1 kWp will generate over 900kWh per annum. E.g. Sanyo HIP Hybrid modules comprise of a mono crystalline cell with a thin amorphous layer making them are up to 12% more efficient. They have the highest power to area ratio on the market, so they are an obvious choice for roofs where space is limited.
The ideal site will be within 40 degrees of south. The Ideal pitch is around 30 degrees
Sites that face 90 degrees from south will suffer a 20-30% reduction in performance.
Diagram
Click to enlarge the diagram
*These figures are based on experience with previous installations and are not a guarantee of how much energy a given system will yield in a given year.
How the PV system works
The electricity generated by the PV modules is converted from DC to AC by an inverter and connected to your consumer unit. The electricity flows to wherever it is needed to power your appliances. At times when there is more electricity being generated than is needed it will flow out through an export meter into the grid to be used locally by your neighbours. The meter records the exported electricity and the exported units can be sold to a number of electricity supply companies.
See Sell your electricity back.
The “clean” solar electricity is always used in priority over electricity from the grid. When the solar panels can't generate sufficient electricity - at night, for example - electricity is drawn from the grid in the normal way, so you will never be without electricity.
Our Systems
Roof Mounted Systems
Roof mounted systems are the simplest, most cost effective and most popular way to generate your own electricity. They consist of a number of framed modules mounted onto a southerly facing pitched roof. The size of the system will be limited by the size of the roof. A typical system will be between 1 and 2 kWp. Although, with a enough roof space, a 5kW is possible.
Ground Mounted Solar Arrays
Ground Mounted systems are becoming increasingly popular where there is not enough space for a roof mounted system or the roof is not southerly orientated. A simple frame is constructed adjacent to the building and the modules attached. Ground Mounted systems perform well due to good ventilation. We have even designed pergolas, and canopies using modules.
Solar Canopies
Buildings with south facing glazing can over heat in the summer. This 5kW system acts as a sunshade, making the room temperature more comfortable and generating over 4000 kWh per year. On a larger scale this system can be used for car parking.
Tracker Systems
Tracker systems follow the sun across the sky throughout the day in order to maximise performance. This results in up to 40% greater output compared with a static system of the same size. Trackers are available in many sizes and, by adding different modules, an almost infinite number of outputs can be achieved. These are Ideal for sites with plenty of land - where roof-space is not suitable for PV
Courtesy of Parian Trackers
PV Tiles and Slates replace conventional materials to deliver a seamless aesthetic roofline - particularly important for planning sensitive locations such as conservation areas or listed buildings . They are most cost effective for new builds.
Prices have reduced recently as new suppliers have entered the market making them an increasingly attractive option.
Please ask for the latest products and prices
Courtesy of Atlantis
Solar electricity is the same as your regular mains supply, but because it's generated from sun light, it's clean, silent and from an inexhaustible supply.
“The sun delivers enough solar energy to earth in 15 minutes to supply the whole world with energy for year.”
PV* modules convert light into dc electricity. An inverter changes the dc electricity into ac electricity allowing us to use it in our homes for cooking and lighting etc. *The correct technical term for this process is Photovoltaic - or PV for short.
The simplest and most cost effective systems consist of a number of PV modules mounted onto a roof or onto a frame on the ground.
What is a Photovoltaic module?
PV modules are made up of specially coated Silicon cells. As light falls on these cells electrons rush from one side of the silicon to the other and an electrical current is created. The more cells there are the more current is generated. When the right number of modules are linked together enough voltage is created to match the system voltage with the mains or grid.
Module type & performance:
Poly Crystalline PV modules rated at 1 kWp will generate approximately 750-850kWh per annum in the UK climate* - provided the array is south facing and un-shaded.
Poly Crystalline modules are the most commonly used. Poly Crystalline means that the cells are cut from a block made from many pieces of silicon. These have a blue-flecked appearance. Most manufacturers offer Poly Crystalline modules.
Mono Crystalline PV modules rated at 1 kWp will generate approximately 850kWh per annum. *E.g. Sharp 180 watt modules.
Mono Crystalline modules usually have a white diamond shape between the cells. Mono Crystalline means the silicon cells are cut from a single block of silicon.
Hybrid PV modules rated at 1 kWp will generate over 900kWh per annum. E.g. Sanyo HIP Hybrid modules comprise of a mono crystalline cell with a thin amorphous layer making them are up to 12% more efficient. They have the highest power to area ratio on the market, so they are an obvious choice for roofs where space is limited.
The ideal site will be within 40 degrees of south. The Ideal pitch is around 30 degrees Sites that face 90 degrees from south will suffer a 20-30% reduction in performance.
Diagram
Click to enlarge the diagram
*These figures are based on experience with previous installations and are not a guarantee of how much energy a given system will yield in a given year.
How the PV system works
The electricity generated by the PV modules is converted from DC to AC by an inverter and connected to your consumer unit. The electricity flows to wherever it is needed to power your appliances. At times when there is more electricity being generated than is needed it will flow out through an export meter into the grid to be used locally by your neighbours. The meter records the exported electricity and the exported units can be sold to a number of electricity supply companies.
See Sell your electricity back.
The “clean” solar electricity is always used in priority over electricity from the grid. When the solar panels can't generate sufficient electricity - at night, for example - electricity is drawn from the grid in the normal way, so you will never be without electricity.
Our Systems
Roof Mounted Systems Roof mounted systems are the simplest, most cost effective and most popular way to generate your own electricity. They consist of a number of framed modules mounted onto a southerly facing pitched roof. The size of the system will be limited by the size of the roof. A typical system will be between 1 and 2 kWp. Although, with a enough roof space, a 5kW is possible.
Ground Mounted Solar ArraysGround Mounted systems are becoming increasingly popular where there is not enough space for a roof mounted system or the roof is not southerly orientated. A simple frame is constructed adjacent to the building and the modules attached. Ground Mounted systems perform well due to good ventilation. We have even designed pergolas, and canopies using modules.
Solar CanopiesBuildings with south facing glazing can over heat in the summer. This 5kW system acts as a sunshade, making the room temperature more comfortable and generating over 4000 kWh per year. On a larger scale this system can be used for car parking.
Tracker SystemsTracker systems follow the sun across the sky throughout the day in order to maximise performance. This results in up to 40% greater output compared with a static system of the same size. Trackers are available in many sizes and, by adding different modules, an almost infinite number of outputs can be achieved. These are Ideal for sites with plenty of land - where roof-space is not suitable for PV
Courtesy of Parian Trackers
PV Tiles and Slates replace conventional materials to deliver a seamless aesthetic roofline - particularly important for planning sensitive locations such as conservation areas or listed buildings . They are most cost effective for new builds. Prices have reduced recently as new suppliers have entered the market making them an increasingly attractive option.
Please ask for the latest products and prices
Courtesy of Atlantis
