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What is a Solar Photovoltaic (PV) system?
A Solar Photovoltaic system (or Solar PV as it is commonly known) is a renewable technology which utilises free energy from the sun to generate electricity. The electricity produced by Solar PV can be used to power anything from an appliance to a light bulb that is usually powered by the mains electrical supply.
How does Solar PV work?
Solar PV relies on daylight to generate power through the use of photovoltaic cells within roof mounted panels (modules). These modules are fixed to a roof and connected by cables into an inverter which is usually installed within the loft.
FAQs
How much you save depends on how you manage your usage. Using dishwashers, washing machines, tumble driers and other appliances during the daytime can help you maximise your consumption of free daytime electricity.
Everyone consumes energy, but sometimes it is hard to know just how much power is really being used in the home. Domestic electrical usage is measured in kilowatt hours (kWh) and the best way to understand what this means is to look at what a kWh does in everyday life.
A kWh of electricity can provide:
- 1200 electric shaves
- Drying your hair 15 times
- Listening to 15 CD’s
- Using a small refrigerator for 24 hours
- Microwaving 20 meals
- 4 evenings of light with 60W incandescent lamps
- An average 3-bedroom house uses between 9-10kWh per day
(Source: Energy Savings Trust)
Example running costs of various everyday objects:
- An electric cooker (feeding a family of four every day): 60 kWh/month = £7.24
- Lights (60 watts for 4 hrs in the evening): 7.2 kWh/month = £0.87
- 32″ LCD TV (5 hrs per day): 9 kWh/month = £2.38
(Source: BRE Group)
The power produced by the solar PV modules is converted to household electricity by an inverter and this is connected to the electrical system of the property via a circuit breaker in the consumer unit which then supplies all the electrical outlets within the property.
The Solar PV system generates up to 2.0kwp of free electricity depending on system size and current weather conditions. Typically on a sunny day this means that if a high power appliance like a tumble drier is being used, all of the free generated electricity will be consumed with other appliances then being supplied from the grid.
Solar PV modules do produce more electricity on brighter days; however sunlight is not a necessity. Even in the winter months when the sun is lower or the skies are overcast, Solar PV modules can still produce some electricity.
Yes, you will still receive a bill from your supplier, but free electricity generated by the solar system means that your consumption should be lower.
As a safety requirement the inverter constantly monitors the electricity supply from the Grid and must shut down immediately if the power supply fails. It will automatically restart when the power supply is reinstated on the Grid.
Solar PV is a technology that uses the power of the sun to create electricity. Solar Thermal is a technology that uses the power of the sun to heat domestic hot water.
Tips & Advice
- Appliances such as washing machines/tumble dryers/dishwashers – Don’t run them all at the same time, stagger them, i.e. run them one after the other and don’t be tempted to run part loads. Also, if you have them, use timers on appliances to run while you’re out in the daytime and don’t forget to stagger these times too.
- Lighting – replace old bulbs with low energy lightbulbs, turn lights off when youleave a room EVERY TIME. And close doors to retain heat.
- Mobiles, toothbrushes, PC tablets, drills, rechargeable batteries etc – charge throughout the day.
Smart Export Guarantee (SEG)
SEG is paid by energy providers for any surplus solar energy that is exported back to the National Grid.
MHA does not permit individual tenants to apply for SEG payments. This is because MHA is responsible for claiming SEG directly.
Tenants with solar PV panels will continue to access the free solar energy generated at their home and can maximise this benefit by following the above tips.
Glossary
Solar PV panels capture the sun’s energy using Solar PV cells. The solar PV cells convert daylight into electricity that can be used to run household appliances and lighting.
Remember: To maximise the effectiveness of the PV panels, use your appliances during daylight hours.
This cabling connects the PV modules to the inverter and is normally installed within the loft space and is black in colour.
Warning labels will be attached to this type of cable. Care must be taken when storing items within the loft space to avoid damage to this cabling.
Solar Inverters are used to convert (DC) electricity which is generated from your solar panels to household (AC) electricity which can be used via
a Connection to your household electrical system.
The inverter is usually installed in the loft although they can sometimes be installed in a utility room or
cupboard if there’s not enough area to locate within the loft space.
It is very important to note that this inverter does get warm so please ensure that no materials are stored on or near the inverter location. Next to the
inverter there will be switches for safe isolation of the solar PV system and to provide safe maintenance on the inverter.
An isolation switch will be installed near to the DC/AC Inverter consumer unit as additional means of isolation of the solar PV system.
Please note: These switches are for emergency and
maintenance use only.
This meter is normally installed in the loft space and is for remote monitoring only. It enables MHA to monitor the output of the Solar PV system and the total amount of energy generated to date via an
onboard GSM or RF unit.