Solar Panels

Sunlight can be directly converted into electricity using photovoltaic (PV) cells. PV cells convert light into electricity that you can use in your home.

If you are interested in Solar and are looking for more advice about how to take advantage of it in your home, then call Claywood Energy on 07738324348 or 01435882628.

Why Solar PV?

Get paid to produce your electricity – Solar PV has many attractions and it is one of the technologies that already qualifies for an attractive government incentive which makes the payback and return on your investment enticing. However, as the cost of installation continues to fall due to the evolution of products, the Feed In Tariff (FIT) is being reduced from 43.3p to 21p.

Cut your electricity bills: Once you’ve paid for the initial installation your electricity costs will be greatly reduced. A typical home PV system can produce around 50% of the electricity a household uses in a year.

Sell electricity back to the Grid: if your system is producing more electricity than you need, you could earn 3.3p for every Kw. Read more about feed-in tariffs and selling electricity.

Cut your carbon footprint: solar electricity is green, renewable energy and doesn’t release any harmful carbon dioxide (CO2) and could save you around 550kg per year.

Considerations

We can help to give a thorough assessment as to whether solar PV is right for your home. The first consideration is the amount of sunlight. A roof or wall that faces within 90 degrees of south is needed that isn’t overshadowed by trees or buildings. If the surface is in shadow for parts of the day, your system will generate less energy.

Roof strength is an important consideration as panels are not light and can create a considerable load on top of existing roof tiles. We can help assess the feasibility of on- roof installation or suggest a rotating mast configuration.  Although usually not necessary we can also help with planning considerations if your home is a listed building, or if it is in a conservation area or World Heritage Site.

What happens when the sun isn’t shining?

Panels work best with direct sunlight on a hot day; therefore in the UK they are at their most efficient in the summer period. Cloud does impact performance but solar panels work well with good light intensity, even if it is a cloudy day.

Do I need planning permission for solar panels?

In England, planning permission is not required for most home solar electricity systems, as long as they are below a certain sizea. But there are certain exceptions for example listed building or those in an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. 

Where should solar panels be positioned?

Positioning is key to an efficient system. The ideal is facing south and at a 35 degree angle.Shading is a particular issue, for example if one panel in a string is impacted by shading this can impact the entire string.