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Information and frequently asked questions regarding solar pv
- Solar pv panels for your home
- Commercial Solar pv panels
Solar panel information: FAQ’s
Solar pv panel installations come in many configurations and power outputs.
To help you understand the basics you will find information covering several common aspects of Installing solar pv panels.
To find the answer, simply click on the question
What is the cost of solar panels
What should I expect from a free solar panel survey
How many panels can I fit on my roof
Does my house qualify for solar panels
important
Why use a solar pv quote comparison site
How much income can I earn from solar pv
what equipment solar pv panel system include
Why is MCS membership important
How do I find a solar panel installer
How long does it take to install a solar panel system
Solar panels Essex /solar panels for Liverpool
Solar Panels Leeds / solar panels for Wales
benefits of solar panels or solar pv
How much VAT is charged on solar pv
How do I register for feed in tariff
Do I pay tax on feed in tariff income
Solar panels for local authorities
The feed in tariff was introduced in the UK in April 2010 in order to encourage the switch to clean, renewable energy and is designed to pay regular income to the listed owner of the solar panel system.
The minimum payment for electricity generated by solar panels is guaranteed for 25 years by the FITs it also allows for an additional payment for exporting any unused electricity back to the national grid.
As a result of the FITs, a solar panel system for your home is an excellent investment as you will not only have income, but also reduced electricity bills and a bonus for selling power back to the national grid.
This payment is made to consumers by the Power suppliers and it is compulsory for the top 6 suppliers to pay the feed in tariff to consumers
What does kW, kWh & kWp mean for solar panel installations
The kilowatt hour or kwh is most frequently referred to as the unit for energy provided to consumers by the power companies .
Your Energy supplier would normally charge by the kWh for the electricity that you use.
For our purposes, kWp generally refers to the size of a solar panel system. When we mention kilowatts peak , most people use it to mean the maximum power output from the panels under perfect conditions (normally test lab conditions)
What equipment is installed in a typical solar panel system for my home
Normally a typical system would be made up of 3-
Your chosen number of solar panels are fitted to the roof by means of “rail mounts” and this would then be connected to an inverter, which is normally located in your loft or attic space.
Inverters do tend to “hum” quietly so it’s best not to site them where they may be heard, especially if your loft is converted into living space.
Cables from the inverter are then run to a generation meter and onto your current household electrical system.
Isolating switches, to enable the supply to be “cut off” from the national grid when needed for safety reasons, are fitted in a suitable location at ground level.
Because solar panels come in different sizes and power outputs (kw) there is no
t just a simple answer. Changing the orientation of the panels – from portrait to
landscape – can sometimes make a big difference in how many solar panels will fit
on your roof -
As a rough guide ,a typical 200w to 250w panel will need 1.7sq metres -
What should I expect from a free solar panel survey
The person who does the initial survey should check a number of points. Obviously they need to asses the size of your roof. The surveyor should check the condition of the outside & inside of the roof for structural integrity, check if there are any issues with shading of the proposed siting of the solar panels and discuss any obvious obstacles to you having solar panels fitted, such as whether your building is listed, in a conservation area or do you need planning permission.
For most parts of the country planning permission is not required – although it is always recommended to check with your local authority (check out their website). Generally, if you are in a conservation area or listed building there will be some elements of permissions or special conditions need to be met.
As the solar panels only create direct current (D/C) it has to be converted into Alternating current (A/C) in order to be able to be used in your home – your mains electricity supply is A/C. this is achieved by running the electricity produced by the panels through an inverter which transforms the electricity from D/C to A/C.
The inverter is chosen to match the power output of your solar panels in order to be able to handle the correct amount of power generated.
Popular makes would be SMA “sunny boy”, Fronius, Solarmax
The MCS is the Microgeneration Certification Scheme, they certify all the Microgeneration technologies used to produce electricity and heat from renewable sources such as solar panels.
They set the standards that all the equipment has to achieve in order for your solar installation to qualify for the Feed in tariff.
The MCS can be considered the Quality Control mechanism for consumers, companies and manufacturers. By having this standard in place it makes it simple to immediately know whether or not to install a piece of equipment or to choose a suitable installer – As a general rule, if it’s not MCS compliant, don’t use it
Why is MCS membership important when choosing an Installer
When your installation is complete, the solar panel system will need to be certified to the MCS standards otherwise you will not be eligible for the Feed in Tariff for producing electricity.
If the person or company is not registered wit the MCS then they cannot certify the system & your current power supplier may not register the system on the grid.
Not having your solar panels MCS certified could cost you thousands of pound in lost income from the feed in Tariff.
More information can be found on their website microgenerationcertification.org where you can check the database of listed Solar panel installation companies
The REA is the Renewable Energy Association, primarily it’s a trade association set up to offer a level of consumer protection in the Solar power market.
There is also the REAL Assurance Scheme, this was set up by the Renewable Energy
Association who’s stated aim is “to guarantee a high quality experience for consumers
wishing to buy or lease small-
If your installer is showing The REAL Assurance Scheme logo, they will need to be a member and it is a sign that the company has agreed to abide by the standards of the REA Consumer Code.
They can also provide a deposit guarantee scheme for their members, which offer added protection for you as the consumer – if your installer is member of REA then that’s a good sign.
How much VAT is charged on solar pv
for solar pv systems fitted to residential properties the VAT charged for 2011 / 2012 is 5% of the cost of the installation
How do I register for the feed in tariff
Once your solar panels are installed the MCS registration will be done by the company that installed the system. The MCS will then produce a certificate of registration (7 to 10 days) and this will contain the details of the panels and the output or “declared capacity” of your solar panels. Once you have your MCS certificate, go to the website of your utility provider and download the FIT application form.
This form needs to be completed and returned to your utility provider along with a copy of your MCS certificate. You should receive your FIT rebate quarterly in arrears.
How long does it take to install a solar power system
Typically up to 4.0kw can be installed in a day, depending on how complex your roof is.
Scaffold normally goes up the day before and comes down the day after installing the solar panels
Do I pay tax on the feed in tariff income
Taxation for Domestic Installations
Although the FITS and generation tariff are additional income, the government confirmed in 2009 that people who receive income in the form of tariffs will not be subject to income tax. For a basic rate tax payer, this would represent a very good investment opportunity. For higher rate tax payers, such as yourself, the situation could a lot more efficient and productive as higher rate tax therefore also is not due – however, there is a phrase used in connection with the income being tax free and that is: “ so long as the electricity generated is predominately used for domestic purposes” – how and where the revenue may implement this is not clear as yet. Consultation with an accountant is advised.
Commercial solar pv – solar power for business
Solar Photovoltaic commercial solar panel installations for business can also gain superb benefits, whether they are “on grid, free standing or off grid”.
Commercial solar panel arrays offer major savings in term of utility costs and can also bring new guaranteed revenue streams into a company.
Higher energy efficiency forms a major part of the governments' stance on global warming , so considering Solar PV is fiscally prudent as part of a business strategy.
Typical commercial solar pv installations
can include
- Warehouses
- Office buildings
- Landlords
- Solar for Schools
- Industrial estates
- Caravans
- Farms & small holdings
- Sports clubs / Social Clubs
- Local Authorities
- Retail Parks
- Boats
- Mobile Home Caravan Parks
A 50kw commercial solar pv system could produce:
(based on 75% export. Source: energysavingtrust.org.uk Cash back-
|
Total generation |
43,419kwh |
|
income from generation tariff |
£14,285.00 |
|
Income from export |
£1,010.00 |
|
Fuel bill savings |
£500.00 |
|
Total income and savings |
£15,794.00 |
This figure does not include any maintenance costs
Solarpanelsx.co.uk have access to solar pv companies that specialise in commercial solar power systems. We can introduce you to design and planning teams capable of taking for commercial solar projects from inception to completion.
Take advantage of unused commercial space and turn it into a valuable source of income. To find out more about the costs and benefits of commercial solar pv systems click here
Solar pv for Business
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