Technical Zone

Why are people installing Solar PV?

Here are a few of the benefits of installing a solar PV system:
 

• You are helping the environment (we all need to do our bit!)
• See a reduction in your energy bills
• Up to 8% return on your investment from the Feed in Tariff (that’s a lot more that the banks can offer!)
• Reduced VAT of only 5%
• Add value to your property
• Guaranteed income for 20 years

Why SkyEnergy?

We are an independent Mid Wales based company that will give you the personal touch.  Our work and products are guaranteed for 5 years, but the panels come with a full 25 year performance warranty. Our memberships and accreditations demonstrate our commitment to exceptional service.  Throughout the initial consultation we will talk you through all the options and answer any questions you might have.  We will visit you four weeks after the installation just to check that you are happy with the work that has been carried out.  Then we will arrange a visit after twelve months to inspect the system free of charge to make sure it is performing correctly.

How Does it work?

The below example shows a property fitted with a SkyEnergy solar PV system.

This property has been able to reduce its imported electricity consumption and avoided costs by using a 2.2 kWp solar system to generate electricity on site, and export electricity to the national grid
This house uses a total of 1800 kWh of electricity per annum

• The house generates 1080 kWh of electricity per year from the solar electricity system (Feed in Tariff)
• The occupants use 3000 kWh of the electricity they generate (Avoided Costs) and export 1200 kWh to the grid (Export Tariff) – because it is generated at times when the house does not use it
• The house uses 3000 kWh of electricity so needs to import 1200 kWh of electricity from the grid to meet this – a reduction of 1080 kWh compared to a property that does not have a solar PV system
  This means that even after paying for importing a small amount of electricity from their usual supplier, the SkyEnergy solar electricity system will still generate the homeowner a combined tax free income and saving of £384.00 per year!

*Figures based on example shown using a 2.2 kWp system and 60% usage

• Source: SAP2005, the Standard Assessment Procedure used by government, produced by the Building Research Establishment. Based on OFGEM electricity prices at 13p/kWh. RPI is set at 2.4% and raises the tariff rates only. These figures are for guidelines only and should not be relied upon.*

I want to order. What do I do next?

Give us a call and we can have a chat about your requirements and arrange a suitable time for us to visit.  We will come out and do a FREE, no obligation survey of your property, and within a couple of days you should receive your full written quotation.  With the quotation we will send you an estimate of how much you should earn over the life of your system, and a detailed breakdown.  If you are happy to accept the quotation, we’ll contact you to arrange a convenient date for the installation. 

How long does it take to install?

It usually takes us 2-3 days to complete the installation.

Do you supply the scaffolding?

We supply everything we need to complete the installation

What exactly is a solar panel?

Light shining on a solar panel creates an electric field across layers of silicon in each cell, causing electricity to flow. This DC power can be used straight away or fed into the national grid. Photovoltaic cells were first developed by Bell Laboratories in 1954.

Don’t you need hot sunny weather for solar panels?

Obviously, it’s an advantage to have lots of hours of sunshine per day; however, solar PV panels do not perform as well once they get above 25 degrees Celsius.  In the UK, we have long summer days at a temperature where the panels perform extremely efficiently.  In fact, the panels we use will still produce electricity even on cloudy days.

Aren’t solar panels a bit delicate for putting on a roof?

They’re actually quite robust as there are no moving parts. PV modules have an expected lifetime of 45-50 years, albeit with a progressive loss in performance efficiency.

What about cleaning and maintenance?

PV modules need no routine maintenance other than occasionally being cleaned.  This is usually only required to remove any debris such as leaves - the panels are coated with a substance that means they clean themselves when it rains.  Inverters and control gear will typically need replacing every 25 years or so.

Where’s the best place to site solar panels?

The best location is the south coast of the UK, but anywhere that solar panels can be orientated between the south-east to south-west is good.  Installing PV panels on a south-facing roof is ideal for energy capture but they can also be mounted in ground-mounted frames in arrays around field margins – as long as they are not shadowed by hedges or trees – or across whole fields.

Does the pitch of the roof matter?

The optimum angle is 30 to 40 degrees – luckily, most UK roofs are around this angle.

Is a roof installation best?

It’s likely to be a little more expensive than a ground array but there are advantages – the panels are located out of harm’s way, for one thing, and will have less visual impact.

Are some buildings better suited than others?

They clearly need to be strong enough to take the weight of the installation. Also, given the long service life of PV panels, buildings should have a lifetime at least as long as the panels.

What about the building’s use; does that matter?

Only to the extent that it makes sense to install panels on buildings that consume the most electricity.

Is there any limit to the size of a PV panel installation?

Apart from the size of the roof and the cost of installation, the only limiting factor is the 5mW ceiling of the FiT scheme.

How does the scheme work?

The Government’s Feed-in Tariff is worth from 15.44p per kilowatt-hour (p/kWh) for installations up to 4kW. Systems from 100kW to 5MW generating capacity attract the lowest figures; systems of less than 4kW earn the highest rates.

Who pays the tariff?

Your electricity supplier makes the payments based on meter readings of the amount of power generated.

Do all solar panel systems qualify?

Equipment and installers must be approved with MCS if the scheme is to qualify for Feed in Tariff payments. We are fully MCS accredited and all products that we use are eligible for the Feed in Tariff.  The scheme itself will be accredited by OFGEM, the electricity industry regulator, through its Renewable & CHP Register.

A little about the panels

Solar photovoltaic (PV) panels are not a new technology, however as people have become more interested in eco-friendly solutions, they have become more commonly used.  With the introduction of the Feed in Tariffs, solar PV installations have now become very popular.

Solar electricity systems capture the sun’s energy using photovoltaic (PV) cells. The cells convert the sunlight into clean, green electricity, which can be used to run your household appliances and lighting.  PV cells don’t need direct sunlight to work – you can still generate some electricity on a cloudy day.

Feed in Tariff – Just the basics!

Due to an EU agreement to generate 15% of electricity from renewables by 2020, from April 2010 a new program to encourage homeowners to generate their own electricity was introduced (the Feed in Tariff).  As the electricity is generated by your solar PV system, a meter records how many kilowatt hours (kWh) are produced.  You will receive an income of up to 16p for every kWh of electricity that the system generates even if you then use it to power your home or business!

The Feed in Tariff is not fixed – It is re-assessed every 6 months.

The Feed in Tariff is currently set at 15.44p/kWh for a solar PV system retrofitted to an existing home or business. By installing a solar electricity system now you are guaranteed to be paid this rate for the entire 20 year lifetime of your system! Plus the Government has ensured the Feed in Tariff will track inflation, ensuring you get paid a fair price year on year.

But…the Feed in Tariff may drop by 8.5% every 6 months after July2012. And the rate you come in at is the rate you are paid for the lifetime of your system.

PLUS as the Feed in Tariffs are indexed linked – linked to the Retail Price Index (RPI) as a measure of inflation – your investment in this green renewable energy technology will ensure you profit when global oil prices rise.

What happens after the Installation?

After Installation: Arrangements with electricity suppliers to sell your renewable electricity

With the Feed-in-Tariff you can earn money on all electricity you generate through your solar PV system.

Once your solar PV system has been installed you will need to contact your electricity supplier (or shop around electricity suppliers) to arrange to sell the electricity you have generated back to them. SkyEnergy will help you throughout this process.

All electricity suppliers in the UK are legally obliged to supply increasing volumes of their electricity from renewable sources and therefore will purchase such renewable electricity from householders, just like you.

Features of our panels

1. We only use monocrystalline modules. Monocrystalline are made from pure uncut silicon (single crystal SI) whereas polycrystalline is the by-product of this.
2. NEW We have black solar modules now in stock.
3. Highly resistant to water, abrasion, hail impact and other severe weather conditions.
4. Suitable for use in any climate. Guaranteed durability and warranties provide long-term reliable power solutions.
5. 90% Power output warranty over 12 years.
6. 80% Power output warranty over 25 years.
7. Five-year warranty – free from defects in materials and workmanship.
8. Modern products that meet the highest safety standards. Manufactured in ISO 9001 and ISO14003 certified factories.
9. Our solar panels are designed and built to a rugged construction with frames that outperform lighter weight models. Products are certified to IEC 61215.
10. ZERO Carbon emissions so you can “do your bit for the environment” and in reality actually reducing carbon emissions. Affordable prices to suit any budget and all energy needs.
11. Because a solar electric system can last 25 or more years, it can also provide security against electricity rate rises.
12. Easy installation and maintenance.

Step 1:

• It is advised that you contact your current electricity supplier and research others to benefit from the most competitive rate. SkyEnergy will advise you of what to expect and what information you will need to hand (see steps 2 &3)

You may find the following telephone numbers useful in this process:

Company	Telephone Number
Good Energy	0845 456 1640
Ecotricity	0845 555 7100
Scottish Southern	02920 249 065
E-on	0800 183 1222
EDF	0800 051 1905
nPower	01905 340646
Scottish Power	08452 700 700
British Gas	0800 072 8629

 
Step 2:

• You may be asked by the electricity company for the following information:
  - The make & model of the solar electricity modules you will have installed, the inverter and the total generating meter
  - How the electricity will be used
  - Details of the installation of the solar electricity system
  - Current meter readings
• All information relating to these questions will be included in your documentation from SkyEnergy.
• The electricity company will then offer to send you details and a form to complete.

Step 3:

• We now advise that you compare the offer(s) received from the electricity companies and decide which one suits you.
• Upon this decision, you will need to complete the appropriate form sent by the electricity company and return it to them to arrange the tariff. Information required for the completion of these forms will duplicate those as outlined in step 2. If you require any assistance with this process, please get in touch with us.