Solar Photovoltaics (PV)

GW Renewable Technologies has extensive experience in carrying out Solar PV installations across the South of England. From small domestic systems to PV farms or large commercial installation, we do it all.

GW Renewable Technologies is a MCS accredited installer. MCS is an internationally recognised quality assurance scheme which demonstrates to customers that the company is committed to meeting rigorous and tested standards. By being a member of this scheme, all our installations are eligible for Feed in Tariff Payment.

We carry out installs for private customer, local authorities, house builders and large multi-national retail outlets and have subsequently carry out hundreds of installations per year. As a result we have developed a highly skilled and experienced workforce with extensive knowledge of different system, roof types and fixing methods.

From your initial enquiry, we will carry out a site visit to assess the size and design of system most suitable to your property. This will include assessing the roof type, the structure of the roof and the existing consumer unit. Once the size of system is confirmed, we will be able to calculate the amount of energy that should be generated and the subsequent Feed in Tariff payments that would be received.

What is Solar PV

Generate cheap, green electricity from sunlight.

Solar panel electricity systems, also known as solar photovoltaics (PV), capture the sun's energy using photovoltaic cells. These cells don't need direct sunlight to work - they can still generate some electricity on a cloudy day. The cells convert the sunlight into electricity, which can be used to run household appliances and lighting.

The benefits of solar electricity

• Cut your electricity bills: sunlight is free, so once you've paid for the initial installation your electricity costs will be reduced.
• Get paid for the electricity you generate: the government's Feed-In Tariffs pay you for the electricity you generate, even if you use it.
• Sell electricity back to the grid: if your system is producing more electricity than you need, or when you can't use it, you can sell the surplus back to the grid. Read more about feed-in tariffs and selling electricity.
• Cut your carbon footprint: solar electricity is green, renewables energy and doesn't release any harmful carbon dioxide (CO2) or other pollutants. A typical home solar PV system could save over a tonne of CO2 per year - that's more than 30 tonnes over its lifetime.

How do solar panels (PV) cells work?

PV cells are made from layers of semi-conducting material, usually silicon. When light shines on the cell it creates an electric field across the layers. The stronger the sunshine, the more electricity is produced.  Groups of cells are mounted together in panels or modules that can be mounted on your roof.

The power of a PV cell is measured in kilowatts peak (kWp). That's the rate at which it generates energy at peak performance in full direct sunlight during the summer. PV cells come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Most PV systems are made up of panels that fit on top of an existing roof, but you can also fit solar tiles.

Costs, savings and maintenance

Costs

The costs of Solar PV are constantly changing as the manufacturers reduce the price of their panels. An average system is 3 kWp and can cost anything from around £6,000 to £10,000 (including VAT at 5%) Factors that can determine the price of the system include:

• the more electricity the system can generate, the more it costs but the more it could save
• larger systems are usually more cost-effective than smaller systems (up to 4 kWp)
• The price of PV panels can vary depending on the make and model of panel and it's subsequent efficiency rating with higher value panels often working at a higher efficiency. These efficiency ratings are not used in most SAP calculations which works out how much you will generate, so be sure to check this before committing to a make of panel.
• panels built into a roof are more expensive than those that sit on top.

Savings

A 3 kWp system can generate over 2,500 kilowatt hours of electricity a year - that's around three quarters of a typical household's electricity needs - and will save over a tonne of carbon dioxide every year.

As your system would be eligible for the Feed-In Tariff scheme it would generate savings and income of hundreds or even thousands of pounds per year - you will get paid for both the electricity you generate and use, and what you don't use and export to the grid.

Maintenance

Solar PV needs little maintenance - you'll just need to keep the panels relatively clean and make sure trees don't begin to overshadow them. The panels should last 25 years or more, but the inverter is likely to need replacing some time during this period, at a current cost of around £1,000.

What is the Feed in Tariff?

Feed-in Tariffs (also known as FITs) are the electricity part of what some people call clean energy cash back, a scheme that pays people for creating their own "green electricity".

Why has the Feed in Tariff been introduced?

The Tariffs have been introduced by the government to help increase the level of renewable energy in the UK towards our legally binding target of 15% of total energy from renewables by 2020 (up from under 2% in 2009).

How do the Feed in Tariffs help?

The Feed-in Tariffs are based on the electricity generated by a renewable energy system which is used in the property. There is also an additional bonus for any energy produced which is exported to the electricity grid. This means you get paid more for the energy you don't use than for that which you do which encourages energy efficiency.

The Tariff gives three financial benefits:

1. A payment for all the electricity you produce, even if you use it yourself
2. Additional bonus payments for electricity you export into the grid
3. A reduction on your standard electricity bill, from using energy you produce yourself

Am I eligible?

Your installation will be eligible for the feed in tariff whereby a premium is paid for every KWh of green electricity generated regardless of whether it is used on site or exported to the grid (for which you would receive an additional payment) for 25 years.

The main financial advantages of investing in a Solar PV system

• You will be producing free electricity for your home
• You get paid for all the electricity you produce at the current feed-in tariff rate (dependant on the size of your system)
• This government backed scheme is guaranteed for 25 years from first registration
• All payments received under this scheme are tax free
• You will also be paid an additional 3.1p per KWh for 50% of the electricity you generate
• The payment is linked to the retail price index (rpi)
• See a reduction in your electricity bill of up to 50%