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Specific information on PV
Download our PV information brochure:
Different types of PV Panels
MONOCRYSTALLINE
These are the most efficient types of cells presented on a panel but they are the most expensive.
AMORPHOUS
Amorphous PV modules are the most cost effective types of panels and they perform very well in cloudy conditions. However, for the same power output they require more installation space.
POLYCRYSTALLINE
These are almost as efficient as the monocrystalline cells but they can be cheaper.
Whatever type of panel that is decided would be best for your required system the most important factor to remember is that Solar PV requires only daylight and not necessarily direct sunlight. The panels work equally well in urban or rural areas, can be attached to pitched or flat roofs, fixed vertically onto external walls or located on the ground. They can also be integrated into patent glazing or rain screen cladding systems and can easily connect to the buildings' electricity supply.
EBS does not specialise in one particular manufacturer but install bespoke systems researching the most efficient panel and make, to suit individual needs. We will never be beaten on efficiency and the quality of a PV system.
The PV system
Once the PV panel has been decided upon it is
then important to design and understand the
overall system the panel will be connected into.
This system is split up into three main parts:
-the array of PV panels
-an inverter (which converts the output from
the PV panels from DC to AC mains)
-cables display and switchgear
From the diagram on the right it is easy to see
how the electricity generated from the array can
be easily used in the home and exported onto the national grid. In both respect producing money via the Feed in Tariff.
The Inverter
As such an important part of the PV system it is very important to
discuss the component in greater detail.
As you can see by the picture on the right they are hardly the most
attractive piece of equipment, which is why with domestic installs
we recommend installing them in a well ventilated loft.
The main purpose of the inverter, as stipulated before, is to
transform the variable DC electricity generated via the array AC,
synchronised precisely with the voltage and frequency of the grid and
house. The inverter also performs various safety functions,
constantly monitoring the grid and switching off in the event of a fault or major fluctuation in supply.
Similarly compared with the PV modules themselves, inverters also come with a warranty but this is significantly lower than that of the panels. Whereas the panels can be under warranty for at least twenty five years, the inverters only come with a standard warranty up to fifteen years.
The output of the inverter is connected directly to a fuse box - feeding solar electricity into the building's conventional electricity supply and exporting any surplus onto the grid. Go to the page titled 'About the Feed in Tariffs' to see how you can get paid for every last bit of electricity generated and a small bonus for exporting.
System Sizing
For more information on our design process and service:
PV systems are modular, allowing a great degree of flexibility in design
and specification. In practice, the size of the system is often determined
by the available roof space or ground space. But it is just as easy to design
a system to meet a carbon dioxide target and/or budgetary constraints.
PV arrays are sized in kWp (kilowatt-peak), the rated output under
standard conditions.
As a rule of thumb, an optimally orientated, un-shaded 1kWp array will,
each year, generate approximately 750kWh (units) of electricity and save
approximately 0.4 tonnes of carbon dioxide, producing a maximum of
£309.75 via the Feed in Tariffs annually. Over 25years this equates to the
1kWp PV array generating over 18,000 kWh of electricity, saving ten tonnes
of carbon dioxide and producing £7434.00 via the Feed in Tariffs. These
monetary figures have been worked out excluding the bonus from the Export Tariffs and can be roughly translated to any sized system by multiplying the singular figure by the expected maximum kWp system you hope to install.
Due to the physical space of a system needing to be considered very importantly it is worth noting that a 1 kWp array will take up a space of eight meters squared. It is also noteworthy to take into account the orientation of a system (with South obviously being the optimum angle for the panels to face) and the impact of shading onto the selected area.
Planning permission is not required for installs on roofs but is sometimes needed for larger ground mounted systems.
For more information on the Feed in and Export Tariffs:
Lifetime and Guarantees with PV
Download the SCHOTT Solar warranties and guarantees information guide:
PV systems are seen as an investment, whereby they repay themselves
in a number of years. After the repaying period they then generate a
healthy profit for the homeowner, almost like a very successful small scale
business with guaranteed profits after approximately ten years.
The reason these profits are guaranteed?
All components come with their separate warranties which will almost
certainly see you out for the 25years that the Feed in Tariffs
have been certified for.
The modules themselves will have a minimum performance warranty for
25years and a product warranty for about ten. This means that if the
module is damaged in anyway in the first ten years then it will be replaced,
and the same goes for if the efficiency of the modules decreases below
the expected figure in the 25years.
The inverters and other components do sometimes come with a slightly
smaller guarantee, sometimes up to ten years, but an inverters life
expectancy can easily stretch up to the required 25years. However, for
peace of mind it is possible to pay a small amount to the manufacturer and increase the guarantee to a reasonable time period in the future.
There is no need for regular maintenance when it comes to the system due to there being no moving parts and the majority of panels being self cleaning. This makes the lifetime of a system even easier to grasp.
Download the Pearlight Solar warranties and guarantees information guide:
Latest Industry Developments
Due to demand of PV Panels increasing dramatically it is only natural that
manufacturers are developing new technologies to stay ahead of the
market. These include; printed solar cells, using nano particle ink, and also biological solar PV materials are being developed by reducing the need for petroleum based plastic solar cell components. But these are very expensive and are currently not at a stage to be attractive to the average PV investor.
Flexible and folding PV panels are now available, offering convenience, portability and ease of fitting. These may be of interest if you are short of space or are designing a very aesthetically pleasing project.
The most profitable and most attractive recent development in the industry
is that of battery storage. This ensures a PV owner does not waste any of
their electricity produced, maximising profits by saving vast amounts on
electricity bills and becoming self sufficient in energy production and usage.
Lastly, there is a slight worrying development in the PV industry that any potential PV investor should be aware of. This is the issue of many people desiring to go for the cheapest system possible, because this is the best. What should be remembered though is that this is not always the case. If we take the analogy of buying a car for example, there is no
way that anyone would think that a Daihatsu would be the same quality as
a Mercedes. This is why it is recommended to go with the Mercedes of the
PV industry (German manufacturers like SCHOTT) and not the Daihatsu
(cheap Chinese manufacturers like Pearlight). Simply check out the two
differing warranties and gauranties from these two manufactures yourself, and make your own independent decision on which company you would feel safer investing in.
Check out our news page:
More information on Battery Storage:
More information on this issue on our newspage:
Property of Environmental Buildings Services Limited, Excluding Some Pictures
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