Q: What size Solar energy system is right for me?
A: This really depends on several factors. How much electricity do you use, how much roofspace is available, is part of you roof in shade, how much can you invest in a system. After a technical survey these points and more are discussed and at that point the size of the system can be specified.
Q: How does shading affect the system?
A: Shading has a massive impact on a systems performance. The reason for this is that if only one or part of a panel is in shade all other panels that are connected to it will match the current output of the shaded panel. We can offer panels that have more bypass diodes in them to help to reduce the effects but it may be better to try to avoid shaded areas competely. The loss of performance you could expect from shade is 20% for modest shading and 40% for significant shading.
Q: So with Solar PV will I always have power?
A: No – your home will still be connected to the National grid. If at any time your solar panels are producing less electricity than your home is using, or at night time, you will just receive electricity in the normal way. If you have a power cut the inverter automatically disconnects from the main supply and will only restart when it detects that power has been restored.
Q: What is the lifetime of a Solar PV system?
A: A PV system that is designed, installed, and maintained well will operate for more than 20 years. The basic PV module (interconnected, enclosed panel of PV cells) has no moving parts and can last more than 30 years. The best way to ensure and extend the life and effectiveness of your PV system is by having it installed and maintained properly. It is estimated that performance will decrease by under 1% per year, which would mean that in 50 years they’d still be 60% efficient, but nobody really knows past the guarantees given.
Q: What if something goes wrong?
A: All panels come with a 20+ year performance warranty so in the unlikely event that you experience problems, the supplier should be on hand to diagnose your problem and if necessary, arrange a home visit to ensure that everything is working as it should be. The installation comes with a 2 year warranty so you can be sure your service will be of a high standard. The inverter is guaranteed for a period of 5 years and is likely to be needed to be replaced at some point in the systems lifetime. Inverter prices vary depending on make and model and may be in the region of £1000 pounds. Extended warranties can be arranged taking the inverter lifetime to the same period as the Feed-in Tariff for peace of mind.
Q: What maintenance is required?
A: Solar photovoltaic systems are silent in operation, have no moving parts and require no maintenance. Most of the time the rain will keep the modules clean. However, a build up of dirt can affect system performance. The degree of soiling will depend on the location but usually dust accumulation and self-cleaning reach a steady state after a few weeks if the array tilt is at least 15 degrees. In extreme cases dust may cause a power reduction of about 10%. At low tilts horizontal glazing bars can trap debris which could lead to shading of part of the array. The design of the system should aim to minimise uneven soiling.
