FAQs

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What is Solar PV?

Solar Photo-Voltaic panels (PV panels) convert daylight, or sunlight directly into electricity. They involve no moving parts, are silent in operation and require very little maintenance. Solar panels consist of one or more solar cells, each being wired in series (or parallel) to form the finished panel. These cells are full encapsulated behind low iron glass, and are mounted on a synthetic polymer backing and are usually framed with a sturdy aluminium frame. Electrical connections are bonded into the panel's rear, with the power being fed out through double insulated cables to other panels, or to batteries, depending on the intended use for the electricity.

Why is your Solar Array Ground Mounted?

3.6kWp of PV panels covers an area of 26 square meters of space, and most people's houses will not have sufficient roof space to allow these to be mounted on it. Also, it is much safer to mount PV modules at ground level, since no scaffolding or other height safety equipment is required, thus keeping our costs to a minimum. Your installation will look similar to the one shown below. The array measures 16m long by 1.6m tall and sits at an angle of around 45 degrees. Larger arrays will involve more Solar Panel Mounting Frames. We will discuss what area these will take up during your survey.

Why is your kit 3.6kW or over?

The new Feed-In-Tariff (FIT) for Solar power is set to be its maximum for installations below 4kWp. Since no inverters currently exist on the UK market which are rated at exactly 4kW, we have decided to offer the maximum allowable power connection limit imposed by the UK's Electricity Network Operators of 3.6kW (16A per phase) using a G83 approved inverter. G83 approval allows the connection of 16A per phase of renewable electricity to be connected to the national grid, via a customer's existing electricity meter, with minimal restrictions and permissions. Larger installations will use more of our 3.6kW inverters and we will consider installations up to 10kW for properties with a 3-phase supply, and up to 50kW for those who wish to install a full Solar PV Farm.

What will this system cost?

The installation typically costs £13,500 + VAT (VAT rate of 5% applies to domestic clients and 17.5% to industrial installations). This price is based on your site being suitable for a "standard" installation, but we will calculate any additional costs if your site requires, for example, a longer cable run from your PV Array to your metered supply.

When will I have to pay for my installation?

If we agree that your site is suitable for one of our ground mounted Solar Arrays, and you wish to proceed with the installation, we will require a deposit of 80% of the total cost, with the remaining balance being payable on completion of the installation. Generally, we work up to 2 months ahead of installations in any one area, to give us clarity on where our installation teams will be at all times. Your initial deposit will typically be due to be paid  between 1 & 2 weeks prior to installation.

What is the Warranty period for the system?

We cover workmanship and manufacturing defects for 2 years from installation date. The inverter is guaranteed for 5 years from installation, while the PV Panels themselves come with a 25 year power production warranty, guaranteeing their output doesn't fall below 80% of their rated output over that period. We would suggest that you let your Insurance company know about your system, so that it is also covered against accidental damage, or vandalism.

Will my Solar Installation require Planning Approval?

You should consult your local planning office to discuss this, since the application of the rules vary widely depending on your geographic area. We find that remote installations on Farms do not tend to concern the planners as much as an installation in an urban environment. Our systems are ideally suited to being installed in the countryside, on properties with a lot of surrounding land.

Who will pay me my FIT income?

The Electricity Companies will make FIT payments directly to their customers. The exact details of how this will be done will vary from supplier to supplier, but so long as your Total Generation Meter (which we'll install as part of the system commissioning) is registered with your electricity supplier, they will keep you informed of how you will be paid your FIT income.

What happens to unused power from my Solar Array?

If you produce power that you don't use in your home (or business) from your array, this will be fed back through an Import/Export meter, which your electricity company can install (in some cases), which will allow them to meter the amount of power you export. This exported power will be used to offset the power you purchase from them, thus reducing your bills even further. The expected export rate that will be offered to you will be 3p/kW exported. Some electricity companies will offer a fixed percentage of all power produced as being deemed as "Export" which will be paid at the rate of 3p/kW.

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