What are Solar Panels?

Solar panels, also known as photovoltaics (PV), generate electricity by capturing arrays from the sun. The solar panels will generate electricity during the day and this electricity is then converted from DC to AC by an inverter for you to be able to use it within your home.

What are the benefits of solar panels?

  • Generate your own electricity instead of relying on the grid
  • Reduction in your electricity bills by using the electricity generated
  • Help the environment by becoming more self sufficient
  • Receive payments from electricity providers for electricity sent to the grid

How much do solar panels cost?

The cost of the solar panels for your home will depend on the size of the system you have. A 4kwp solar system could cost between £5,000 and £8,000. This will mean you require between 12 and 16 panels on your roof, therefore it’s important you have enough roof space.

What could I save or earn from solar panels?

The savings/earnings you experience from having solar panels will depend upon how much electricity your system generates. Generally, the bigger the system the more chance you have of increasing your savings or earnings.

You will have three main streams of savings or income if you are installing a solar system:

  • Savings from your electricity bills
  • Income generated from exporting the electricity generated to the electricity provider, under the Smart Export Guarantee
  • Income from any solar electricity which feeds into your energy storage device and then later is sold to the grid

How to calculate the performance of a solar system?

The main factors to consider when estimating how much electricity your solar system will produce is as follows:

  • Size of the system – the more panels you have the more electricity you should generate. The most common size of a solar system, within a home, is 4kwp.
  • House direction – solar panels are most effective when they face South. This is because they will be facing the sun the longest time, conversely if solar panels are facing North then they will be less efficient.
  • Slope of the roof – for your solar panels to maximise efficiency they should be tilted to capture the sun more. If your roof is angled between 25 and 45 degrees, then this will be fine to house your panels. If you have a flat roof, then the panels will need to be angled at least 15 degrees.
  • Shading – if you have anything that’s causing obstruction between the sun and panels, then this will reduce how much electricity is generated. Obstructions can be a neighbouring property, trees, lamp posts etc. To check the impact, stand outside your house in the afternoon, facing the sun and see if there are any objects shading the roof where the panels will be installed.
  • Degradation – the performance of your solar panels will reduce over the years. Generally, you will lose 1% efficiency for every year.

What is the solar panel installation process?

  • Surveying: once your have signed the contract a surveyor should come out and check that everything is in place for the installation
  • Scaffolding: most properties will require scaffolding if the panels are to be installed on the roof. Its erected to provide a safe platform for installers.
  • Roof anchors and mounting frame: the roof anchors are screwed directly on the roof rafters and bars are connected to the anchors to create a frame
  • Panel installation: the solar panels are housed in the frame
  • Inverter connection: The wiring from the panels is then connected to the inverter
  • Connecting inverter to supply: the inverter will need to be connected to the electricity supply along with a generation and/or export meter
  • Commissioning: once everything is complete the installer can power up the system and check it’s working.
  • Surveying: once your have signed the contract a surveyor should come out and check that everything is in place for the installation
  • Scaffolding: most properties will require scaffolding if the panels are to be installed on the roof. Its erected to provide a safe platform for installers.
  • Roof anchors and mounting frame: the roof anchors are screwed directly on the roof rafters and bars are connected to the anchors to create a frame
  • Panel installation: the solar panels are housed in the frame
  • Inverter connection: The wiring from the panels is then connected to the inverter
  • Connecting inverter to supply: the inverter will need to be connected to the electricity supply along with a generation and/or export meter
  • Commissioning: once everything is complete the installer can power up the system and check it’s working.

Find an installer

Using a Flexi-Orb member provides you with peace of mind knowing that they have been vetted and provide you with protection mechanisms.