Types of Solar Panel Installation

Free energy is provided is massive amounts to earth each day from the sun; solar power has given people a way to harness some of this energy and use it in ways which can allow us to generate electricity and heat in our homes. Thousands of families and businesses in the UK are looking to different types of solar panel installation as a way to partly or fully power a building, thus putting an end to expensive monthly or quarterly bills from energy companies.

What is a solar panel?

A solar panel is a device which converts light from the sun into power such as heat or electricity. It is made up of a collection of small solar cells which when used over a large area can produce the required power. Every time light hits a cell, power is produced, so the more sunlight there is, the more energy that can be generated. There are generally two types of solar panel installation that are used on domestic and commercial properties; these are solar photovoltaic systems and solar thermal systems.

Solar photovoltaic systems

Of the two types of solar panel installation systems, solar photovoltaic (solar PV) is the most popular. Solar PV uses the suns energy power a home with electricity and can be used on any building with a roof or wall which faces ninety degrees south. To get the maximum benefit of solar PV, it is best to have the panels installed where they cannot be overshadowed by other buildings or trees, although only daylight is required to for the system to generate electricity, more is created from direct sunlight.
There are four different types of solar PV panel and each will differ in efficiency levels and in price. The four types are:

Monocrystalline- these panels provide 13-17% percent efficiency in terms of how much of the suns energy is used

Polycrystalline- these panels have lesser efficiency levels than the monocrystalline at around 11-15% but are also cheaper

Hybrid- This type of panel is the most efficient on the market at over 17% efficiency but is also the most expensive option on the market.

Amorphous Silicon- These panels are commonly seen in garden lamps and calculators and are not as efficient as the other panels, nor are they as long lasting. They are however a much cheaper alternative.

An incentive created by the government known as the feed-in tariff has allowed anyone with solar PV panels to sell back unused electricity to the national grid.

Solar thermal panels

Solar thermal is the lesser used system of the two types of solar panel installation; this system uses sunlight to heat water in a building. Solar thermal can create enough hot water for around a third of annual usage, this equates to savings of around £60-£90 based on a typical family home.

This type of solar panel is a lot cheaper than solar PV and is likely to cost around £3000-£5000, there are however no financial incentives in place until late 2012 when the Renewable Heat Incentive is introduced.