Solar Photovoltaic (PV)

Solar PV (photovoltaic) uses energy from the sun to create electricity to run appliances and lighting. PV requires only daylight, not direct sunlight to generate electricity and generate power on a cloudy day.

Solar energy in the UK and Ireland is far greater than most people imagine. In the summer, when items such as car bodies are often too hot to touch, we become aware of the sun's heat. However, even in the spring and autumn and on clear winter days we receive very useful amounts of solar energy. By tilting a surface to an angle the amount of solar radiation falling on it will be greater than that falling on a flat surface in this country. Fortunately, the average tilt of a house roof is about the optimum for receiving solar energy.

The PV cell consists of two layers of silicon. When light shines on the cell it creates an electric field across the layers causing electricity to flow. The greater the intensity of the light, the greater the flow of electricity.

Is it suitable for you?

You can use PV systems for a building with a roof or wall that faces within 90 degrees of south, as long as no other buildings or large trees overshadow it. If the roof surface is in shadow for parts of the day, the output of the system decreases.

Solar PV Savings

PV technology has many benefits. It’s a quiet, clean source of energy requiring minimal maintenance, and lasts for decades. It is not only competitive with other sources of energy in terms of costs, but directly contributes to reduction in greenhouse gases.

As the PV module produces electricity, you can be rewarded by exporting excess electricity to the national grid which acts as your battery bank. When you do not require the electricity produced the PV electricity is exported, if you require more electricity than the PV module is producing you can import electricity from the grid.

FIT's (feed-in Tariffs) agreements are currently for 25 years and offer .433p pKwh (up 4.8% in line with Retail Price Index) for current installations. As an example a 3kW system will produce on average 2400kWh per annum which in monetary terms means a payment of £1039.2 each year for 25 years. Any additional energy created is exported back to the grid and a further minimum payment of .3p will be paid direct to you. Add to this the savings made from not buying your energy from power companies and the return of investment increases.

On average a photovoltaic system will return around 9% Tax FREE on your investment with a payback of 8-10 years. This system size would create a  reduction of carbon emissions by up to 1.3 Tons per year.  An estimated return of £51,960 in FIT's payments over the duration of your agreement is anticipated with a fuel saving at today's prices of £7920 (if using all the power you produce for your own use). Therefore, savings and income is estimated to be £59,880 with the average costs of installation being £13,500 (subject to a site survey). The savings element increases as fossil fuel prices increase giving you an even higher return on your solar investment.

Please note that you will be paid .433p pkWh regardless of whether you use the energy you create for your own personal use or not.  As the top tier tariff level drops in April 2012 it is important that you install in time to ensure this higher level or payment is secured. 

Please contact VG Energy on 01563 829 992 for further details.

Download our Solar PV brochure.

Manufacturers

Careyglass Solar

CareyGlass Solar have over 20yrs experience in designing, manufacturing and installing solar PV panels. It is due to this vast experience that they can offer a solution to almost any type of installation from roof mounted to ground mounted on a solar tracker. The standard CareyGlass Solar 195w panel is made of mono-crystalline solar cells of 125 x 125mm embedded between tempered glass cover (3.2mm-AGF) and an encapsulant (EVA). The solar panel is enclosed in an aluminium frame which gives it excellent structural strength and resistance to corrosion. The 165w solar panel comes with a 25-year power output warranty and are manufactured under the quality certified ISO 9001:2000, and undergo strict inspections.

CGS-195 Photovoltaic Solar Panel

• High Power module (195w) using mono-crystalline silicon solar cells with 15.3% module conversion efficiency.
• Photovoltaic module with bypass diode minimizes the power drop caused by shade.  The textured cell surface reduces reflection of sunlight which increases efficiency.
• DC 24V system and high-voltage output for grid connect systems.

Trina Solar

Trina Solar Limited is an internationally manufacturer of mono and multi-crystalline photovoltaic modules and has a long history as a solar PV pioneer since it was founded. Trina PV modules provide clean and reliable solar electric power to on-grid and off grid residential, commercial, industrial and utility scale applications around the world.

Trina solar panels come in sizes ranging from 175W-285W depending on whether they are mono or multi-crystalline panels, these systems have a guaranteed power output (0~+3%) and have a high performance under low light conditions which is typically suited to the Scottish climate.

All of the panels provide by Trina Solar are independently certified by international certification bodies and manufactured according to International Quality and Environment Management System (ISO9001 & ISO14001).  Due to the rigorous manufacturing and testing procedures Trina Solar offer a 10yr product warranty for materials and workmanship and a 25 year linear power warranty.

Note: For Polycrystalline Products: 2.5 % in the first year, thereafter 0.7% per year, ending with 80.7% in the 25th year after the Warranty Start Date.

For Mono-crystalline Products: 3.5 % in the first year, thereafter 0.68% per year, ending with 80.18% in the 25th year after the Warranty Start Date.