How do Solar Panels (PV) work?
See a pop-up animation of how solar electricity panels can work in your home
Solar PV (Solar Photovoltaics) is the generation of electricity using energy from the sun. Modern solar panels produce electricity from daylight and do not require direct sunlight, although more electricity is produced on bright, sunny days. Enough sunlight actually falls onto the earth every hour to meet the world’s power demands for an entire year, so harnessing and using this free energy can help reduce our reliance on other sources of energy and be beneficial to the environment as well. By installing Solar PV panels you can produce free, green energy for your home or business. Solar PV panels are normally mounted on the roof of your property although they can also be placed on the ground when a suitable roof is not available. A device called an inverter changes the electricity produced by the panels into ‘useable’ electricity that can then be used to power appliances in your home or can be fed back into the National Grid.
Solar PV panels contain no moving parts, are self cleaning and are maintenance free. The output from the panels is guaranteed by the manufacturers for 25 years. All Solar PV panels will continue to produce electricity long after their guaranteed period. This means that you will continue to benefit from free electricity even after your ‘Feed In Tarriff’ period of 20 years is over. The first silicon-based PV systems were installed in the 1960’s and some of these systems are still in place and generating today!
Contact us today for more information.
See a pop-up animation of how solar electricity panels can work in your home
Solar PV (Solar Photovoltaics) is the generation of electricity using energy from the sun. Modern solar panels produce electricity from daylight and do not require direct sunlight, although more electricity is produced on bright, sunny days. Enough sunlight actually falls onto the earth every hour to meet the world’s power demands for an entire year, so harnessing and using this free energy can help reduce our reliance on other sources of energy and be beneficial to the environment as well. By installing Solar PV panels you can produce free, green energy for your home or business. Solar PV panels are normally mounted on the roof of your property although they can also be placed on the ground when a suitable roof is not available. A device called an inverter changes the electricity produced by the panels into ‘useable’ electricity that can then be used to power appliances in your home or can be fed back into the National Grid.
Solar PV panels contain no moving parts, are self cleaning and are maintenance free. The output from the panels is guaranteed by the manufacturers for 25 years. All Solar PV panels will continue to produce electricity long after their guaranteed period. This means that you will continue to benefit from free electricity even after your ‘Feed In Tarriff’ period of 20 years is over. The first silicon-based PV systems were installed in the 1960’s and some of these systems are still in place and generating today!
Contact us today for more information.
- The sun gives off light, even on cloudy days
- PV cells on the panels turn the light into DC electricity
- The current flows into an inverter, which converts it to AC electricity ready to use
- The current is fed through a meter and then into your home’s consumer unit
- Plug in and switch on. Your system will automatically use the free electricity you’ve generated, then switch back to the grid as needed
- Any electricity you don’t use is exported to the grid for others to use
The benefits of solar electricity
NICEIC Accreditation
NICEIC Certification’s Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Qualification has been developed for individuals who wish to demonstrate competence to work on the installation of Solar Photovoltaic Systems. The Solar Photovoltaic qualification is designed to provide experienced electrical engineers the necessary skills for basic design, installation and service of Solar Photovoltaic systems and delivers a certificate of competence for individuals who wish to join the NICEIC MCS Installer Scheme. A Solar PV installation must be fitted by an accredited installer to qualify for UK Feed in Tariffs.
- 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.
- Cut your carbon footprint: solar electricity is green, renewables energy and doesn't release any harmful carbon dioxide] or other pollutants. A typical home solar PV system could save over a tonne of carbon dioxide per year – that's more than 30 tonnes over its lifetime.
NICEIC Accreditation
NICEIC Certification’s Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Qualification has been developed for individuals who wish to demonstrate competence to work on the installation of Solar Photovoltaic Systems. The Solar Photovoltaic qualification is designed to provide experienced electrical engineers the necessary skills for basic design, installation and service of Solar Photovoltaic systems and delivers a certificate of competence for individuals who wish to join the NICEIC MCS Installer Scheme. A Solar PV installation must be fitted by an accredited installer to qualify for UK Feed in Tariffs.
