Solar Panel Installation FAQ
Renewable energy sources are being promoted across the UK and wind turbines and solar panels are becoming a common site in many areas. The benefits to be had with solar energy are leading many home and business owners to opt for solar panels as a way to provide them with a free source of power. Whatever type of solar panel you choose it can be considered a large investment, this list of solar panel installation FAQ’s will help you to decide if solar energy is right for you.
What is solar energy?
Before buying a solar panel system, it is wise to understand what solar energy is, this is often the most popular question on lists of solar panel installation FAQ’s.
Solar energy is basically the generation of power from sunlight. Solar means “about the sun” in Latin who used the word ‘sol’ to refer to the sun. Solar energy is created by solar panels which are able to produce electricity and heat from the suns energy.
What types of solar panels are there?
There are two types of solar panel: thermal and photovoltaic. Solar thermal panels are the more popular of the two in the UK and use sunlight to heat up water for everyday use either around the home or for production processes. A boiler or immersion is used to heat the water further or as back up when sunlight is at a premium.
Solar photovoltaic uses daylight to generate electricity which can be used to power various appliances. It does this through solar cells creating an electrical current from the sunlight. The electricity generated is covered from DC to AC for use in homes and businesses.
Will solar panels save me money?
This question is another popular one in lists of solar panel installation FAQ’s. The answer is definitely yes. A solar panel system is guaranteed to save you money on your energy bills, solar PV offers the biggest savings with a system able to provide around 50% or your annual electricity, this can easily equate to a saving of £200 per year. A typical solar thermal system will provide around one third of your water needs, this can provide a saving of £70-£90 per year.
As-well as saving money solar panels provide the chance to earn money through the feed-in tariff system for solar PV systems. This scheme allows you to sell any used electricity back to the national grid for a return of around £1030 per year. A similar scheme known as the Renewable Heat Incentive is also being introduced for solar thermal systems.
Will solar panels help the environment?
Solar panels will help the environment massively; this is because you will be cutting back on the reliance of harmful fossil fuels which release CO2 and greenhouse gases. A solar panel system generates energy with no effects on the environment whatsoever.
Is my home suitable?
This is another common question in lists of solar panel installation FAQ’s. A building location of 90 degrees of south is recommended for solar panels. There should also be no obstructions shadowing the panels such as large buildings or trees.
