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Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Panels - FAQ's
What is Photovoltaic Solar Energy?
What is a Photovoltaic system composed of?
What is an Inverter?
What is the Feed-In-Tariff (Clean Energy Cashback) Scheme?
Do I need direct sunlight?
Do I need planning permission?
What are the operation costs?
Are the Solar Photovoltaic Panels guaranteed?
What return can I expect on my investment?
Can I get any funding?
FAQ's
What is Photovoltaic Solar Energy?
Photovoltaic cells convert the sun energy into electricity. A photovoltaic system requires only daylight (non direct sunlight) to generate electricity.
What is a Photovoltaic system composed of?
- Photovoltaic Panels to convert the sun energy into electricity
- An inverter to convert the direct current into alternating current
- A mounting system for the panels
- Cabling and components
- A meter to record the amount of electricty generated
What is an Inverter?
An inverter is required to convert the direct current (DC) electricity made by your solar panels to alternating current (AC) electricity so it can be used at your site or exported back to the national grid.
The inverter is a small box, normally located in the loft space with a cable that runs back to the consumer unit.
What is the Feed-In-Tariff (Clean Energy Cashback) Scheme?
Feed-in Tariffs (FITs) came into effect as of 1st April 2010. This a new scheme that requires energy suppliers to pay you for the electricty you generate from renewable energy's, such as solar panels.
The scheme guarantees a minimum payment for all electricty generated by your system, irrespective of if you use it yourself or sell it back to the grid. These payments are in addition to the bill savings made by using the electricty generated on-site and any income you earn from selling surplus power to your electricity supplier.
For more information please vist the Energy Savings Trust website.
Do I need direct sunlight?
Solar photovoltaic panels require only daylight (non direct sunlight) to generate electricity.
Do I need planning permission?
Planning permission is not required for roof mounted PV sytems (except on listed buildings and conservation areas).
What are the operation costs?
Solar PV panels operate for many years with very little maintenance or intervention after their initial installation, meaning operating costs are extremely low compared to other renewable energy systems.
Just an annual clean of the array is advised to ensures the solar panels are generating electricity at their maximum performance level.
Are the Solar Photovoltaic Panels guaranteed?
All of Alvesta Energy's solar panels come with a 25 year performance guarantee.
What return can I expect on my investment?
10% is the minimum one should anticpate by way of return on investment year 1 and in excess of 15% is possible, with energy prices forcast to outpace inflation in the coming years return on investment is likely to improve substantially as the years roll by
Can I get any funding?
Alvesta Energy offer a 8 year lease purchase plan to help finance the initial outlay.
The Carbon Trust offer 0% business loans of £3,000 - £500,000 are available from the Carbon Trust to help organisations finance and invest in energy saving projects.