Solar Photovoltaic systems use daylight to power ordinary electrical equipment e.g. household appliances such as fridges, computers and lighting by converting light directly into electricity.

As with almost every home and business in the country, FirstLine Digital is only too aware that increasing fossil fuel costs have resulted in higher energy bills. This along with the increasing effect on the environment through the burning of fossil fuels has led us as a company to provide Microgeneration technologies such as Solar Photovoltaic (PV) technology.

The amount of energy contained in oil and coal is phenomenal. However, this is energy which has been created by means of a concentrated process taking many thousands if not millions of years. With depletion of natural resources such as oil and coal, the use of slow concentration energy materials is no longer viable for the long term.

Microgeneration technologies are fundamentally different; the energy is acquired relatively quickly; however a process of concentration is still required. Using modern technology we can now concentrate renewable energy sources quickly and convert this into useable energy.

Harnessing renewable energy from the Sun

This graphicshows the total UK solar irradiation in Kilo Watt hours per square metre. Dependent on the geographical location of your property, every square metre of your house or garden receives between 800 and 1200 kW hours per year of solar energy, energy which is completely free. Interestingly the UK actually receives something like two-thirds of the solar irradiation experienced at the equator.

Whilst no one is able to claim that the UK can benefit from solar energy to the same extent as other parts of the world, as say in Africa, there are still considerable amounts of free energy that a modern solar photovoltaic system can extract with a high degree of efficiency.

Benefits include:

  • Revenue (if grid connected) from the Feed-In Tariff.
  • Reduction of CO2 emissions.
  • Use of a free energy source (the sun) reduces use of fossil fuels – coal, gas, oil.
  • Consumers enjoy more independence from utility companies.
  • Advantages over other renewable energy technologies – well suited to the urban environment and silent.

How it Works

The term photovoltaic means ‘electricity from light’. In simple terms photovoltaic systems use daylight to power ordinary electrical equipment e.g. household appliances such as fridges, computers and lighting by converting light directly into electricity.

A standard PV cell consists of two or more thin layers of semi-conducting material, usually silicon. When the silicon is exposed to light, electrical charges are generated and this can be conducted away by metal contacts as direct current (DC). The electrical output from a single cell is quite small so multiple cells are connected together and encapsulated (usually behind glass) to form what is known as a module or panel.

A PV module is the principle building block of a PV system and any number of modules can be connected together to deliver the required electrical output. They can either generate electricity which is stored in your property (in batteries) and runs on a separate standalone circuit or system, or can be a Grid Connect system.

The 2nd type of PV system described involves using an inverter to change the low voltage DC generated to the higher voltage AC necessary for household electrical supply. Some inverters allow power to be fed back into the UK mains supply, therefore allowing consumers to reduce their electricity bills through what is termed “net metering”.

During daylight hours, the electricity generated by the PV system can either be used immediately (normal for systems installed on offices and other commercial buildings), or can be sold to one of the electricity supply companies (more common for domestic systems where the occupier may be out during the day). However, in the evening, when the solar system is unable to provide the electricity required, power can be bought back from the network. In effect, the grid is acting as an energy storage system, which means the PV system does not require battery storage.

Typical PV panels have a rated power output of around 75 – 175Watts peak (Wp) each. A typical domestic system of 1.5 – 2 kWp may therefore comprise of 12 – 24 panels covering an area of between 12 – 40 m2, depending on the technology used and the orientation of the array with respect to the sun.

Typical Costs

Installation costs are approximately £5-6000 per kW peak. A 1kW peak installation will generate approximately 750kw hours per annum.

Financial Incentives

Unfortunately as of 06.00 am Monday 24th May 2010, the Low Carbon Building Programme (LCBP) grant initiative was closed to all new applications.

However please see details of the replacement initiative the “Feed In Tariff”, further details are provided within the main body of this website.

Typical Example of how the feed in Tariff could benefit you:

  • A typical house uses 4000 units of electricity per year @ 13.95p per unit average cost is therefore £558.

If you install a 3kw Solar PV system the benefits are:

  • *Feed in Tariff rate : 41.3p per unit generated, 3p per unit exported to the grid
  • *Electricity generated from Solar PV per year 2640 units * 50% used in property (1320units) 50% exported to the grid (1320units)
  • Feed In Tariff Income 41.3p x 2640 = £1,090 Export Tariff Income 3p x 1320 = £40 avoided electricity 13.95p x 1320 = £184

Total Income and Savings = £1,314 per year

These payments are guaranteed for 25 years during which time this system will produce a profit of £18,000. Payments are also R.P.I linked so that inflation does not have a negative impact on your investment.

If you would like to find out more please contact us today on
+44 (0) 8714 333 333 to discuss your requirements and to find out more about our Solar Photovoltaic technology services.

Related Links

Community Renewables Initiative