Solar panel guide

How To Make Money FromSolar Energy

STRATEGIES TO MAXIMISE YOUR RETURNFROM THE UK GOVERNMENT’SFEED IN TARIFFS

Includes Everything You

Need to Know AboutHome & CommercialSolar Installs

By Amy Catlow, Dan Tobin and Titus Sharpe

How To Make Money FromSolar EnergySTRATEGIES TO MAXIMISE YOUR RETURNFROM THE UK GOVERNMENT’SFEED IN TARIFFS

By Amy Catlow, Dan Tobin and Titus Sharpe

Published by VF Books

2011 Edition

ContentsChapter One Introduction: How You Can Make Money

From Solar Energy 1

Those With Solar Panels And Those Without 5

Your Questions Answered 5

Chapter Two The Feed In Tariff Explained 9

Benefits In Brief 9

Qualifying For The Feed In Tariff Scheme 10

The Three Ways In Which You Can Benefit Financially From The Scheme 11

Table Of Generation Tariffs To 2021 12

4-Step Calculation Example 13

Clarifying Eligibility For Those Who Have Already Had Their Solar Panels Installed 14

FAQs About The Feed In Tariff Scheme 15

9-Step Checklist For Taking Part In The FIT Scheme And Earning From Your Solar Energy 17

Chapter Three Calculating Your Return 19

How Your Return Will Be Calculated 19

Questions That Will Help You Get The MostAccurate Calculation 21

Space And Budget Table 22

SAP 2009 Calculation 24

Factors That Will Affect Your Return 25

FAQs About Calculating Your Return 29

VF Books

VF Books

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Published by VF Books 2011

Copyright © VF Books 2011. All rights reserved.

ISBN:

Whilst we have tried to ensure the accuracy of the content of this book,

the authors or publishers cannot be held responsible for any errors or

omissions found therein.

Chapter Four Surveying Your House For Optimum Usage 31

For Your Information - Understanding The Path Of The Sun 34

Keeping Solar Irradiance Values Simple 37

Keeping Optimum Tilt For Fixed Solar Panels Simple 37

Based On Solar Irradiance, How Much Will Your Solar Panels Generate? 38

Some Tools You May Need To Do Your Survey 40

What You Will Be Looking For 41

The Importance Of Sunlight And Shade 41

Taking Note Of The Obvious First 42

Shading And Obstacle Analysis 44

Keeping Obstacle Tracking Simple 48

Reading The Results 48

FAQs About Surveying Your House For Optimum Usage 49

Chapter Five DIY Vs Getting An Installer 51

MCS Accreditation Explained 51

How To Find An Installer 52

What You Can Expect From Your Installer 53

2012, 2013 Dates To Remember 56

FAQs About Installing Solar Energy 57

Chapter Six Choosing Your Solar Panels 59

Calculating The Best Solar Value 61

Checking Out Solar PV Products 62

FAQs About Choosing Solar Panels 63

Chapter Seven Solar System Components 65

Solar Panels 65

Solar Panel Mounting System 66

Combiner Box 66

Inverters 67

Batteries 68

Solar Charge Controllers 69

Ground Fault Protector 69

Total Generator Meter 70

Export Meter or Feed-In, Feed-Out Meter 70

FAQs About Solar Panel Components 70

Chapter Eight Free Solar Panels Vs Financing The Installation 71

The Power OF FREE 71

Financing Your Solar Panel Installation 75

Scenario For Adding The Cost To Your Mortgage 75

Other Sources Of Funding 76

FAQs About Free Solar Panels 77

Chapter Nine Hidden Costs 79

Cleaning And Maintenance 79

The Hidden Cost Of Keeping Your Solar Panels Clean 81

Caring For Components 82

What Part Does The Typical Solar Panel Warranty Cover? 82

Insurance Cover 83

Are There Any Extra Costs Hiding In Your Roof? 83

FAQs About Hidden Costs 84

Chapter Ten Selling Your Solar Powered Home 85

Solar As A Selling Point 85

Help Yourself To Market Your Property Effectively 87

Added Value For The Future 87

Things To Consider When Selling Your Home With Solar Panels 88

How Much Should The Premium Be? 88

Take The Tariff With You 89

FAQs About Selling Your Solar Powered Home 90

Chapter Eleven Feed In Tariffs For Commercial And Non-Domestic Properties 91

Farm Buildings (Plus Example Costing) 91

Schools (Plus Example Costing) 93

Industrial Buildings (Plus Example Costing) 94

Churches (Plus Example Costing) 94

FAQs About Feed In Tariffs For Commercial And Non-Domestic Properties 95

Chapter Twelve Other Potential Green Revenue Sources 97

Wind Turbines 98

Hydroelectricity 100

Anaerobic Digestion 100

Micro Combined Heat And Power (Micro-CHP) 102

Renewable Heat Incentives (RHI) 103

The Green Deal 104

FAQs About Green Sources Of Revenue 105

Appendix Of Solar Insolation Values For The UK 107

London 108

South East England 109

South West England 110

East Of England 111

East Midlands 112

West Midlands 113

North East England 114

North West England 115

Yorkshire And The Humber 116

Central And Southern Scotland 117

North Scotland 118

South Wales 119

North Wales 120

Northern Ireland 121

Glossary Of Terms 123

Chapter One

Introduction: How You Can Make MoneyFrom Solar Energy

Most people are aware that solar energy is better for the environment

than traditional fossil fuels. It produces no air or water pollution and

neither does it emit greenhouse gases. But how many realise that there

is another huge benefit to be gained from this unlimited resource that’s

already being called the ‘energy of the future’? That added advantage is

found in its money-making potential - not just for the companies that

manufacture and install the systems but for homeowners too.

Solar power is still a relatively young science and therefore quite

expensive. Like all new technology, cost is gradually falling but for many

homeowners the high price tag of installing a typical solar panel system

remains a major obstacle. The result is that a range of incentives has

been created by the government and other interested parties to help

bring a solar solution within easy reach of the average homeowner. Now

the smart ones are discovering that not only are there long term financial

benefits from installing solar panels but very good reasons to take action

sooner rather than later.

This book is focused on helping home and commercial property

owners optimise their income from the installation of solar panels. It

does this by explaining, in simple terms, how to take advantage of this

technology and use the incentive schemes available. If done properly,

individuals will not only be able to recoup the cost of the system and

enjoy big savings on their utility bills, but they will also earn an ongoing

source of passive income from all the electricity generated by their

system and from the excess that can be exported to the grid.

1

Solar technology uses terms that are not common in everyday use

and some that are quite unique to solar technology. For example, solar

panels are sometimes referred to as PV modules. ‘PV’ is an abbreviation

of the term ‘photovoltaic’ and simply refers to the process by which

sunlight is converted into electricity. You will find these terms and their

explanations in a glossary at the back of this book.

A common misconception is that solar panels need direct sunlight

to operate. In fact, as long as they have sufficient exposure to daylight

they will continue to produce energy in cloudy, overcast and, to some

degree, shaded conditions. They take the energy generated from

daylight and convert it into a direct electrical current. In order for

that current to be suitable for use in the home, it has to be

transformed into an alternating current via something called an

inverter, all of which will be covered in the following chapters. The

location, positioning and the amount of shade experienced daily from

nearby trees and buildings all affect the efficiency of the panels and,

therefore, the income that can be expected so we will be dealing with

all of these issues in order to discover how to maximise output and

income.

There are several ways that money can be generated through the

installation of solar panels. The most obvious is from the savings on utility

bills. With electricity prices set to continuously rise, this alone is a big

incentive to go solar. Then there is the Feed In Tariff Scheme (FITs) that

allows the homeowner two methods of making money from their solar

system. The first is through ‘generation’ that gives an income for every

unit of electricity produced, whether used by the household or not. The

other is via ‘export’ providing ongoing income for any excess electricity

that can be diverted to the national grid.

There are tools available on the Internet that will help you to find

out fairly quickly what your return on investing in solar panel technology

will be. To get the most accurate calculation for your individual

situation, you need to know the answers to a few questions relating

to your location, property and household requirements. You will find

plenty of information in this book that will not only enable you to

answer those questions but will allow you to calculate your return

for yourself.

There are a few things to weigh up when deciding if being part of

a scheme like this is for you and lots more to think about once you’ve

decided to proceed. It’s not as difficult as it first seems but a lot depends

on personal circumstances. What was suitable for a friend or relative

may not work for your location and household requirements. This book

will take you through the thought and planning process, step-by-step. It

will guide you through the information available and help you identify

the options most suitable to your situation. You will be shown how the

Feed In Tariff works and how you can maximise its benefits. You will also

be given help to calculate your return on investment, revealing hidden

factors that could greatly impact the return you can expect.

There are many types of solar panels available and it’s a good idea

to know enough about their applications to enable you to choose wisely.

This book will take you through the components of a typical system and

the practical things you need to know about - like panel angles and

temperatures - to ensure optimum usage. You will also learn how to do

a general survey of your home in order to evaluate its suitability.

Although the installer you choose will do a survey for you, it’s good to

know what they’ll be looking for and the different factors to take into

consideration.

Those with a flair for DIY may be toying with the possibility of doing

the installation themselves. Although this would save money in the short

term, it will eliminate them from making money from the Feed In Tariff

Scheme.

How To Make Money From Solar Energy Introduction: How You Can Make Money From Solar Energy2 3

Similarly, there are many good companies selling a variety of solar

systems but if you don’t know what to look for you could find yourself

disqualified from taking advantage of FITs. You will find information here

on choosing products, finding installers and the questions you need to

ask them.

When it comes to choosing solar systems it’s not just about the brand and

installer, it’s also about the type of module - thin film; polycrystalline;

monocrystalline - to name but a few. Each will have a different efficiency rate

and price and you will soon discover that some are more effective in certain

situations than others. You will be given plenty of tips for choosing the best option

for your home and checklists have been provided to help you stay focused on the

information that’s relevant to you?

As you begin to investigate the possibilities of turning your property

into an energy efficient, income generator, you will come across many

offers of FREE solar panels. On the face of it they look like a good idea,

especially for those who feel they’ll never be able to afford solar panels

any other way. The ‘free’ route is fine for those looking to save some

money on their energy bills while playing their part to reduce their

carbon footprint, but not for those who want to maximise income from

their installation. We will go through the pros and cons of free solar

panels so you can judge for yourself.

Although, the initial investment seems high, there are ways of

raising the money to cover the cost. Traditional financial institutions like

banks or mortgage lenders are now providing finance specifically

designed for the purpose. Some solar panel installers offer deals where

they finance the installation themselves or via a third party in a similar

way that you’d expect from a car dealership. When choosing this option,

the cost of interest and term of repayment has to be set off against the

predicted income generated, so the homeowner can expect to get a lot

less from the deal at the outset but benefits should increase over time.

Just as you would expect from purchasing any high value item,

there are hidden costs and different ways of dealing with them. Once

the solar system is installed you want to be confident that everything

possible is in place to keep expense to a minimum. By understanding

what routine maintenance is required and what to expect from your

warranty, the panels can be kept working at peak performance, providing

you with an ongoing source of energy for your home, plus income for

your future.

Those With Solar Panels And Those Without

Although the Feed In Tariff is a government backed scheme, the

payments do not come directly from the government but from the energy

companies themselves. Given that those benefitting from the full FIT

payments are being paid above the market rate for the electricity their

systems are generating, the money has to come from somewhere.

The energy companies find the extra money by passing the cost

onto consumers. Those customers who are not taking part in the FIT

scheme will be charged higher energy prices. In essence, those who do

not have solar energy or qualify for the FIT scheme will be subsidising

those who do.

Your Questions Answered

Throughout this book you will come across the most asked questions

relating to different topics, but the first question that needs to be

answered is:

Q: Is Solar energy for me?

A: There are three main areas you need to consider at the outset

to decide if solar electricity is for you and your household:


1. Positioning: The best position for solar panels is within 90

degrees of south. It doesn’t matter which way your house is facing

as they can be attached front or back. However, east and west

facing roofs are still viable, so don’t rule anything out before

checking what options are available to you. You do need to check

to what extent the roof area will be overshadowed by

neighbouring buildings and trees. Having the panels in shade for

part of the day will affect the amount of energy that will be

generated by your system.

2. Roof Size And Strength: Available roof space plays a major role

in determining whether solar energy is an economically viable

solution. Typically, an area of around 10m2 or more is required.

The simpler the structure of the roof, the better the capacity to

fit more panels than those that have lots of small, angled areas.

However, there are systems to meet different challenges so

nothing should be discounted before checking with an accredited

installer. Solar panels are quite heavy. It’s not always easy to

judge for yourself if your roof is going to be sufficiently strong

to bear the weight of solar panels without causing problems but

you can always get the advice of an installer or builder, if in any

doubt.

3. Planning Permission: The vast majority of home solar electricity

systems in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland fall well

within the limitations of size stipulated by the UK government

and require no planning permission. However, it’s worth checking

with your local planning office first and definitely if it’s a listed

building or situated within a conservation area or world heritage

site.

Q: I live in a flat. Does this mean that I can’t take advantage

of solar energy?

A: If you live in a flat where there is a shared tenancy, it’s worth

speaking to the other owners of the building to see how they

feel about investing jointly in solar. Initial costs can be shared

among the flat owners.The system will add value to the

property and provide a good selling point for the future.

Q: What other benefits are there in installing solar panels,

other than to make money from them?

A: If you live or are thinking of living in a remote area where there

might be no other source of electricity available, installing

solar panels could work out more cost effective than having

electricity installed in the traditional way. For the sake of self-

sufficiency and as part of a very cost-effective contingency

plan, solar energy offers a virtually free source of power that’s

good for the environment, too.


Chapter Two

The Feed In Tariff Explained

From the 1 April 2010, the UK government made it compulsory for thenation’s top energy suppliers to make regular payments to homeownersand communities in the UK who generate their own electricity viarenewable and low carbon sources, like solar panels and wind turbines.This doesn’t yet include Northern Ireland but it is under review.

FITs guarantees two types of payments. The first is a minimum‘generation’ payment made for all electricity generated by the system.The second is for ‘exported’ electricity which is any excess electricitygenerated that can be exported to the national grid. On top of this greatsavings can be made by using the electricity generated on site.

The scheme covers several different electricity generating systemsbut for the purpose of this book we are going to look closely at what isneeded to make money from solar energy.

Please note that the Generation Tariff was 41.3p/kWh and theExport Tariff, 3p/kWh when the FIT scheme started. They are both subjectto retail price index increases and are 43.3p and 3.1p respectively at thetime of going to print.

Benefits In Brief

n It’s possible for you to receive a ‘generation’ payment (tariff) fromyour electricity supplier of 43.3p or more for every kWh of energygenerated, tax-free for 25 years from the date the system is installed.

n You may also use the electricity you generate and which theelectricity provider is paying you for free. So if you’re currentlybeing charged 10p per kWh for your electricity, based on the figureabove, the electricity generated by your system would be valued at53.3p per kWh.

8 9

n Any energy your system generates but isn’t used can be sold back tothe grid for 3.1p per kWh. This means that every kWh generated isworth 46.4p to you.

n The tariff is not only tax-free but it will increase with inflation overthe 25 year period.

n If you had invested £15,000 in a solar panel system for your home,you might earn £1,000 to £1,500 per year, so you would be lookingat around 9% return on your investment which is much better thanyou’d get from a bank.

n Feel good as you earn money. We need to reduce our carbonfootprint and solar systems are major players among the renewabletechnologies that are fundamental to achieving this goal.

Qualifying For the Feed In Tariff Scheme

Naturally certain criteria have to be met in order to qualify for the full

payments offered by the tariff. There is a time consideration. If your

solar panel system was installed between 15 July 2009 and 31 March 2010

you will have needed to transfer Renewables Obligation Certificate (ROC)

to the FIT scheme before 1 April 2010.

If your installation is post 1 April 2010 your solar system and

installer must both be Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS)

accredited to qualify. If you are thinking about doing the installation

yourself to save on costs, you will disqualify yourself from the FITs no

matter what solar panel product you use.

You can find the list of registered FIT licensed suppliers on the

Ofgem website:

http://www.ofgem.gov.uk/Sustainability/Environment/fits/rfitls/Pages/rfitls.aspx

The Three Ways in Which You Can Benefit Financially From The Scheme

Note: The unit with which the energy produced is measured is kWh

which is an abbreviation for kilowatt hour. 1 kWh represents the

continuous generation of 1000 watts over a period of one hour. This is

also the unit used by utility providers on your bill and the same unit

that they will use to calculate payment for electricity delivered to the

grid, making it easier to do calculations and comparisons.

1. Generation Tariff – Solar panel users will enter the scheme on a

certain set rate paid by their energy supplier for each unit (kWh)

produced, whether it’s used by the household or not. Tariff levels vary

depending on the scale of the installation. For installations before 15

July 2009, previously part of the Renewables Obligation Certificate

(ROC) and which have been transferred to the FIT scheme before the

1 April deadline, 9p/kWh will be received for every unit generated

plus 3p/kWh for every unit exported.

Installations occurring between 15 July 2009 and 31 March 2010

and transferred to FITs before 1 April 2010 will qualify for the full FIT

payment. Similarly, installations after 1 April 2010, if an MCS

accredited product and installer are used.Entrants after 31 March

2012 will see a yearly decrease in the rate.

How To Make Money From Solar Energy The Feed In Tariff Explained10 11

There are several components to a grid-tiedsolar system, designed to get the most fromthe FIT scheme, but the three main parts are:

1. The Solar Panels which generate the cleanelectricity from sunlight and must beinstalled by an MCS accredited company.

2. The Inverter that converts the electricityfrom direct to alternating current suitablefor use in the home.

3. The Import/Export Meter. This metermonitors the excess energy being exportedto the grid during the day and the powerimported from the grid at night.

1

2

3

Scale

1/4/10 to

31/3/11To

31/3/12To

31/3/13To

31/3/14To

31/3/15To

31/3/16To

31/3/17To

31/3/18To

31/3/19To

31/3/20To

31/3/21

TariffLifetime(Years)

≤4 kWNewBuild

37.8 37.8 34.6 31.6 29.0 26.4 24.0 21.8 19.9 18.1 16.4 25

≤4 kWRetrofit

43.3 43.3 39.6 36.3 33.2 30.2 27.5 25.0 22.7 20.7 18.8 25

Table Of Generation Tariffs To 2020

NB: Tariffs will be Retail Price Index (RPI) linked and inflate annually,

so if you were to have solar panels installed in your house in February

2012, you’d receive the 43.3p per kWh tariff for 25 years plus the retail

price index increase at the time of commencement.

Information is accurate at time of going to press. Please check for

updated information at www.decc.gov.uk.

Tariff Level (p/kWh)

‘New Build’ means installed on a building before being occupied for the first time.‘Retrofit’ means installed on a building that is already occupied.

2. Export Tariff – Every unit of electricity that isn’t used on site can be

exported back to the electricity grid for a further 3p per kWh. Until smart

meters are made available to domestic FITs participants, they are likely

to have their export estimated at around 50%. Like the Generation Tariff,

Export Tariffs will be linked to the Retail price Index (RPI) to ensure they

keep up with the rate of inflation.

3. Savings On Your Energy Bill - Once you’re generating electricity and

using it to power your household appliances you won’t need to buy as

much electricity from your energy provider, resulting in some great

savings on your electricity bills.

4-Step Calculation Example

Example of how much money could be earned from a typical domestic solar

electricity system with an installation size of 2.7 Kilowatt peak (kWp). This

would be a 12 panel PV system that will produce approximately 2287 kWh

each year.

1. Generation Tariff

No of units generated x tariff per unit.

2287 x 43.3p = £990.27 (A)

2. Free Energy

Figures will vary depending on how much generated electricity is

used and how much is exported. In this case we’re assuming 50% is

used and that the cost of buying it would have been 13p per unit.

The value of the free energy is 50% of the number of units

generated multiplied by the unit cost of electricity:

50% x 2287 x 13p = £148.66 (B)

3. Export Tariff

The unused energy generated by the system will get exported to

the grid at an earning of 3p a kWh.

The value of the exported energy is based on 50% of the number of

units generated, multiplied by the export tariff amount:

50% x 2287 x 3.1p = £35.44 (C)

4. Total

The total value of income and savings is calculated by adding

(A) + (B) + (C) = £1,174.37 every year.


Don’t worry if calculating your return seems too complicated atthis stage. There are plenty of online tools available and professionalsto help you. As you go through this book, you’ll discover the many factorsthat will impact your return and what you need to know about yourproperty and household requirements in order to make accuratecalculations - whether you calculate your return yourself, use an onlinecalculator or get an estimate from an installer. There’s a whole chapterdedicated to the subject of calculating your return starting on page 19.

Clarifying Eligibility For Those Who Have Already Had Their SolarPanels Installed

ELIGIBLE NOT ELIGIBLE

Installed before 15 July 2009 andregistered for Ofgem’s RenewablesObligation Certificate (ROC)payments which you transferredover to FIT before the 1 April 2010.

Installed before 15 July 2009 butnever applied to Ofgem for ROCaccreditation to receive paymentsor you had ROC but didn’t transferto FITs before the 1 April deadline.

Installed before 1April 2010 your installer and product wereboth MCS accredited but youdidn’t apply before 1 April 2010.You can still apply for full payment.

Installed before 1 April 2010your installer and product wereNOT MCS accredited and youdidn’t contact Ofgem to applyfor ROC before 31 March 2010.

Installed after 1 April 2010 withMCS accredited product andinstaller. Contact your energysupplier and tell them you areeligible to receive FITs. They willwant to see your certificate asproof. Note: If your installationtook place after the first twoyears of the scheme, your tariffmay be reduced, depending onthe size of your installation.

Installed after 1 April 2010 withNON-MCS accredited product andinstaller. You are not eligible toreceive either the Generation orExport Tariffs. However, you maybe able to negotiate privately toreceive these tariffs outside of theFIT scheme. Whatever happens,you will still be able to benefitfrom the savings you will makeon your electricity bill.

Frequently Asked Questions About The Feed In Tariff Scheme

Q: What happens if I move house?

A: Solar Panel technology is intrinsically linked to the site to which

it’s attached. If you move home the ownership of the system

transfers to the new owner of the property. Chapter 10 is entitled

Selling Your Solar Powered Home and, starting on page 85, takes

a close look at what needs to be considered concerning moving

home with suggestions about what to do so you don’t lose out.

Q: I have an MCS accredited installation but it’s not connected

to the electricity grid. Does it still qualify for the Feed In

Tariff?

A: Perhaps surprisingly, the answer is yes. You can still apply for

the generation tariff at the rate that applies to its capacity. As

excess electricity generated cannot be transferred to the grid,

you will have to sign a declaration stating that all the

electricity generated by the system will be used and not

wasted. You will save on your electricity bill.

Q: How can I measure what is being generated and used?

A: To measure the amount of energy generated there must be an

Ofgem approved total generation meter connected to the

installation which should be installed as part of the system.

For the purposes of measuring exported electricity on

installations over 30 kWp an export meter has to be installed

at the request of the energy supplier concerned and maintained

by them in order to meet the criteria laid down by Ofgem and

be approved for FIT payments. It will have an MPAN number

similar to what appears on a standard electricity meter.


For smaller installations, the cost of installing and

maintaining the export meter is likely to be greater than the

income from the export tariff. In this case the amount of

electricity exported is estimated or ‘deemed’ to be half the

amount of that generated and payment is made accordingly.

Many energy companies are steering away from using export

meters, preferring to wait for the introduction of smart meters

which are due from early 2013. They are expected to measure

electricity exported and imported from the grid and should be

installed by the energy companies free of charge to their customers.

Q: Can I benefit from the FIT scheme if I have free solar panels

installed?

A: It is possible to benefit from the FIT scheme with free panel

installation, although not to the same degree as the installer

of the free panels. There are pros and cons to accepting free

panels and you can see for yourself on page 71.

Q: How long will it take for the system to pay for itself?

A: The FIT scheme has been designed to be both environmentally

friendly and financially viable. How long it will take for a

system to pay for itself will vary with individual installations

and requirements. An example would be that if you bought and

installed a solar panel system for £12,000 you might earn

approximately £1,000 to £1,500 per year, dividing the initial

cost by the savings gives you approximately 10 years, after

which the remaining thousands generated will be pure profit.

Due to the fact that this income is Retail Price Indexed linked

the period of time needed for the system to pay for itself

should be less than this.

Q: When is the best time to invest?

A: The short answer is ‘as soon as you can’ because you lock into

the FIT that prevails on the date you install your system. If

that’s before the 31 March 2012, you will lock into the rate of

43.3p per kWh generated until 2035 to 2036. After April 2012

you will still earn 39.4p per kWh generated but this figure is

nearly 9% lower. So timing is important in order to maximise

your return.

9-Step Checklist For Taking Part In The FIT Scheme And Earning From

Your Solar Energy

1. For installations completed between 15 July 2009 and 31 March 2010,

check you transferred your Renewables Obligation Certificate (ROC)

to the FIT scheme before 1 April 2010.

2. For post April 2010 installations MCS accreditation of solar panel

system and installer will be required.

3. Complete a Home Energy Check to ensure you’ve taken all the basic

energy efficiency measures.

4. If your solar panels aren’t installed yet start considering which MCS

accredited products and installers you’d like to use. More details about

choosing installers and products can be found in chapters five and six.

5. Gather together the information needed to find out how much you

could earn from your home solar panel system. Details of what you

need are included on page 21 along with the website address of an

online FITs calculator.


6. Consider the options for financing the installations on page 71 along

with any ‘hidden’ costs so you’re in a position to know exactly what

you will be making from your solar panels.

7. Now you’re in a very good position to contact some installers and ask

for quotes. We recommend getting quotes from 3 or 4 installers. See

page 53 about what to expect from installers and details of where to

find MCS installers that cover your area.

8. Get the installation done and your FIT eligibility certificate from the

installer.

9. Once completed, notify your energy provider as they will want to see

your FIT certificate and arrange payments.

How To Make Money From Solar Energy18 19

Chapter Three

Calculating Your Return

There are several free tools available on the internet that will help you

calculate your return. Some of them will offer you a quick, rough

estimate based on your answers to a few basic questions about your

home’s location, size of installation and household needs. Others require

specific details for a more accurate calculation. You can also ask an

installer to help you work out your return and we will discuss choosing

an installer in a later chapter.

Online calculators use varied combinations of information to

calculate your return and at the end of this section you’ll find a list of

possible information required to help you get the most accurate

calculation. Although you may not need answers to all the questions for

every calculator, the information about your property is worth having.

Knowing the factors taken into consideration during a survey of your

home and why they make such a difference to the outcome, will help

you choose the most powerful and cost-effective system and maximise

your return. The installer you finally choose to do the work will also need

access to much of this information.

How Your Return Will Be Calculated

Small systems installed on existing roofs are referred to as ‘retrofit’ and

at the moment the generation tariff for this type of installation stands

at 43.3p per kWh. At the time of installation the installer will provide a

generation meter which will measure the amount of energy being

generated.

Tariffs vary with the size and type of installation, as follows:

System Type System SizeTariff per kWh(locked in for

25 years)

New Build under 4kWp 37.8p

Retrofit under 4kWp 43.3p

New Build/Retrofit 4-10kWp 37.8p

New Build/Retrofit 10-100kWp 32.9p

New Build/Retrofit 100kWp-4MWp 30.7p

Stand-alone - 30.7p

Next you assess what percentage of the energy you generate will

be used on running your household. This will depend on what extent the

electricity is being used during the day. You will also need to know how

much you are being charged per unit of electricity which is usually shown

on your electricity bill, but if in doubt, 13p is considered a reasonable

average. Now you can gauge how much free energy you can expect by

taking the percentage of the units generated and multiply them by the

unit cost of the electricity, giving you your Free Energy for the year.

The remaining percentage of units will be exported to the grid, so

if you multiply them by the export tariff earning that will give you the

total Export Tariff earnings for the year.

All you have to do then is to add the three figures together to get

the Total Yearly Income and Savings which usually falls between £300 and

£1,500 per year.

You will find a 4-Step Calculation Example in the Feed In Tariff

Chapter on page 13 and a lot more detail about how the tariff works,

but this chapter is dedicated to showing what things will affect your

calculation and final income and savings. Some things, like your location

for example, cannot be changed, but there are choices that you will need

to make that will affect results. You need to be aware of them so you

can get the most from being part of the Feed In Tariff scheme.

Questions That Will Help You Get The Most Accurate Calculation

n Postcode? Your postcode shows your exact location and can be used

to view your roof top on Google Maps. You can see how close you

are to having an ideal south-facing area for your panels which is all

helpful in calculating your foof’s solar potential.

n How much roof space do you have on your most southern facingroof? To answer this question you will need to know the size of your

roof space in square metres minus any obstructions like dormer

windows or skylights.

n What is your maximum budget? By knowing the answers to

available roof space and budget you will be able to determine the

size of the system you could install.

Example:

If you had a large roof size of 21 m2 and a budget of around £12,000

you should be able to install a 3kWh system with the highest Feed

In Tariff rate covering set costs. Use the Space and Budget Table

on the following page as a guide.

How To Make Money From Solar Energy Calculating Your Return20 21

Space and Budget Table

Approx RoofSpace

PossibleSystem

Size

ApproxBudget

Required

EstimatedOutput

Per Annum

EstimatedFirst Year

Return

EstimatedProfit Over

25 Years

8 m2 1 kW £6k-£9k 750 kWh £370 £9,250

14 m2 2 kW £8k-£12k 1500 kWh £740 £18,500

21 m2 3 kW £9k-£15k 2250 kWh £1,110 £27,750

28 m2 4 kW £10k-£18k 3000 kWh £1,480 £37,000

n What is or will be the size category of your installation?- 4 kW Existing Build or Retrofit (refers to attaching a PV system

to an existing building as an added accessory)

- 4 kW New Build (refers to where a PV system was installed at

time of build and prior to anyone moving in)

- 4 - 10 kW

- 10 - 100 kW

- 100 kW – 5MW

- Stand Alone System (refers to a system that is neither attached

to a building nor wired to electricity to an occupied building)

n When did you/do you plan to install the technology?- Installed BEFORE 15 July 2009

- BETWEEN 15 July 2009 and 31 March 2012

- BETWEEN 1 April 2012 and 31 March 2013



n What is the estimated export?

- 100% (Export ALL electricity generated)

- 50% (Out of the house most of the time)

- 25% (In the house most of the time)

- 0% (Use ALL the electricity generated)

n What way does your roof face?

- South - West

- South South West - East

- South South East - North West

- South West - North East

- South East - North

- West South West - Upwards (Flat Roof)

- East South East


W

N

S

ESW

SE Good

Good

Ideal

Not Recommended

n What is the angle or pitch of your roof, in degrees? (The average

UK roof is around 35 degree pitch).

- Horizontal - 0o

- 10 degrees

- 20 degrees

- 30 degrees

- 35 degrees

- 40 degrees

- 50 degrees

- 60 degrees

- Vertical - 90o

n To what extent is your roof overshadowed?

n How much electricity do you pay per unit? (You should be able to

find this information on your electricity bill but if in doubt choose 13p).

SAP 2009 Calculation

Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) is the government’s official

guidelines to calculating your return. This calculator takes into

consideration such things as:

- System size in Kilowatt peak (kWp)

- Tilt of the installation area in degrees

- Installations orientation, north to south and all its variations

- Level of overshadowing

- Whether the panels will be fitted to an existing or new building

(not applicable to systems over 4kWp)

- Your Electricity tariff (pence). If in doubt you are advised to

select 13p

- Whether you are at home during the day

This will give you the expected performance of your system as:

- Annual Output

- Applicable Feed In Tariff

- FIT per Annum

- Savings on Electricity Bill

- Export Tariff

- Total Annual Tariffs/Savings

The main problem with the SAP method of calculation is that it

isn’t taking into consideration the latitude or location of the property

which makes it inaccurate to the point that it can underestimate the

performance in coastal areas and many parts of southern England by

between 2-14%.

The SAP calculation is based on 1 kilowatt peak (1 kWp) producing

858 kilowatt hours (858 kWh) but this is only true for the inland strip

from Coventry up to the Scottish border. In Devon and Cornwall a 1 kWp

can be expected to generate up to 975 kWh per year which is 14% more

than the SAP calculation.

Installers will have more accurate systems for predicting your

return by taking other factors into account. For this reason we

recommend getting a couple of surveys done by different companies in

order to compare and make sure that everything has been taken into

account.

Factors That Will Affect Your Return

n Location

We have seen from the information on the governments SAP calculator

how location is an important factor in what you can expect from your

solar panel installation. Although the UK may not seem a large area in


South

The averageUK roof is pitched

at around 35 degrees

the scheme of things, we have seen variations of up to 30% in the power

generation capacity of solar panels in the South West of England

compared to the North of Scotland. See solar map on page 39.

n Size And Type Of Installation

The total energy produced is dependent on the size of the system, along

with the other factors. Size of installation can be limited by roof space

and budget. There are systems available that generate more power per

panel or smaller panel. They are more expensive but if you have to have

less panels because of area restrictions they can work out cost-effective.

Solar panel technology does seem to be a case where you get what you

pay for. More expensive usually means more effective and when you think

what a long term investment they are and what can be achieved, it’s

worth getting it right from the outset.

n Whether Or Not You Use An MCS Accredited Installer And Product

MCS stands for the Microgenerational Certification Scheme. It is an

internationally recognised, industry led and funded scheme focused on

ensuring the quality of renewable technology installations and products

that’s been developed over a number of years. As far as the Feed In Tariff

scheme is concerned, you must use an MCS accredited product and

installer to qualify for the full payment available.

n How You Choose To Finance The Installation

Naturally, how much you can earn from the FIT scheme will be influenced

by how you choose to finance the installation. You may go to a traditional

finance company like a bank, and mortgage lenders have also developed

a range of products to help their customers fund solar power systems.

Some installers finance the product and installation themselves and you

can pay them or a third party they use back over a specific term. There

are companies offering free panels which you may qualify for or you may

have money you wish to invest yourself and would find it difficult to get

a better return on your investment. Whatever you choose you will find

some benefits and savings possible. See the Section on Financing Your

Solar Panel Installation on page 75.

n Hidden Costs

PV modules do not require a lot of care and rain usually ensures they are

kept clean and free of most debris. However the modules can be cleaned

with a cloth, perhaps when other outside maintenance is being done like

gutter clearing. Tough weather conditions have been taken into

consideration at design and manufacturing stages and strong winds, snow

load and harsh frost shouldn’t be a problem. For areas prone to extreme

weather conditions, insurance is an option but data from the insurance

industry indicates that claims are very rare. A small amount should be

budgeted for maintenance repairs and insurance so that your system is

working at its maximum capability and bringing you the best returns on

your investment.

n The Date When Your Panels Were Or Will Be Installed

If you’ve already had your solar panel system installed there are time

sensitive stipulations you need to be aware of in order to ensure you

qualify for the FIT scheme in the first place and to what extent you can

benefit. Similarly, if you are just thinking about installation, you do need

to take a look at the information relating to timings in order to ensure

you get the maximum financial benefits from the scheme. These details

can be found in the Feed In Tariff Explained chapter of this book.

n When You Will Be Using The Electricity The Most

If you’re rarely at home during the day and the house is unoccupied, your


savings and income will not be as big as if there were electrical

appliances in use. But with many household appliances having timers now

it may be possible to have things charging or operating like washing

machines while you’re out. It’s certainly something that’s worth thinking

about.

n Orientation And Pitch Or Angle Of Roof

Ideally your roof should be facing south but it’s possible to compensate

for most other directions and you need to remember panels can be

attached to the front or the back of the roof. Even if solar modules are

installed on a roof which is 40O from south, only small losses are incurred.

The pitch or angle of the roof can affect the number of hours of sunlight

your panels will receive during the course of a year. The question of the

pitch of the roof is asked when planning and particularly for an online

calculation but when it comes to the actual installation, solar modules

can be manoeuvred into an appropriate position by means of a support

structure even if the actual pitch of the roof itself isn’t favourable. The

optimum angle of inclination and orientation must correspond to the

latitude of the location.

n Shade

Solar panels are designed to deal with cloudy and overcast conditions

but shade caused by overshadowing trees and neighbouring buildings can

be a problem. Shade on one panel can shut down operations on the

others so it’s a very important factor to get right. Installers have a gadget

that can reveal any shady areas on the roof whatever the time of year.

Once this is known the panel layout can be designed around any such

areas and problems avoided.

n Size of Areas And Amount Of Panel Space

High efficiency means taking up less space on your roof for the solar

array. Efficiency isn’t usually a big concern unless the roof area to be

used is unusually small, in which case a little more spent for less panels

of a higher efficiency will work out the most cost effective.

Frequently Asked Questions About Calculating Your Return

Q: Won’t my installer be able to work out my return for me or

do I have to try to do it myself?

A: Your installer will survey your site and work out the best

solution to optimise your return. However, the installer will

still need answers about your household that only you can

supply. So whether you calculate your return yourself, try an

online calculator or ask an installer, you need to be aware of

the information required and the choices available to get the

best return.

Q: Once my solar system is operating how can I be sure what

electricity I’m producing?

A: There are two types of meters that you’ll need, a generation

meter that will come with your system and will let you know

the total amount of electricity it’s generating. The other is an

export meter and can only be fitted by your electricity provider.


30 31

Chapter Four

Surveying Your House ForOptimum Usage

When surveying your site for optimum usage there will be three main

things that you’ll be looking for:

1. Your Household’s Power Requirements:- Typical power

consumption on a daily basis, taking into consideration all

electrical devices and lighting requirements, so you know what

your system must achieve

2. Your Location’s Solar Irradiance:- Solar Irradiance or Insolation,

as it’s also called, is made up of the number of hours of sunlight

and the strength of that sunlight at your particular location,

taking into consideration the changes that occur through the

course of the year.

3. Your Site’s Peculiarities:- This could be anything about the

property or surrounding area that could influence the output

and income capabilities of your solar PV system and will be

assessed through a thorough survey of your site.

At the end of this chapter you should know what type of system

you will require to meet your household requirements, what you can

expect from a solar PV system and what you need to do in order to

maximise the income you can generate from the solar energy you will be

producing.

In each case you will be shown how to work out these calculations

manually so you can understand why these calculations are needed and

why you would want to get them as accurate as possible. You will also

be shown a Keep It Simple option which will help you to make quick

calculations and give you access to tools that will make things faster and

easier for those less scientifically minded.

1. Your Household’s Power Requirements

Power consumption for your site needs to be measured in watt-hours

(Wh). You can get this information from your existing electricity bill or,

if moving into a new house, estimate it for yourself. The wattage of

household appliances can be found on the bottom of the appliance; on

the power supply; in the product manual or you can measure them with

the use of a watt meter. A watt meter is a device that you plug into the

wall socket and then plug the appliance into the meter. The amount of

power the device is using will be displayed on the LCD and is the most

accurate way to gauge the amount of power being consumed.

You can list everything from living room lighting to charging mobile

phones and don’t forget that if you have gas central heating the control

and the pump will require electricity too.

Once you have your list of devices, draw up a 5 column grid (see

example on following page). The device goes in the first column, the

voltage in the second, power requirements in watts in the third, hours used

per day in the fourth. Then take the watts in the third column, multiply by

the hours per day from the fourth column and that gives you the watt-hours

which you will enter into the fifth column but before you do so add an extra

10% to cover inefficiencies. This accounts for inverters and the resistance

in the circuits that will reduce the efficiency of your system.

You could also factor in a small amount of power for items that use

power even when switched off like TVs on standby.

Devices Voltage Power (watts)Hours of Use

(daily) Watt Hours

Living RoomLights

220-240v 120 5 (600) 660

Kitchen Lights 220-240v 60 2 (120) 132

Hallway Lights 220-240v 120 1 (120) 132

BathroomLights

220-240v 160 1 (160) 176

Bedroom 1 220-240v 60 1 (60) 66

Bedroom 2 220-240v 60 2 (120) 132

Fridge/Freezer 220-240v 500 24 (12500) 13750

TV 220-240v 300 4 (1200) 1320

Kettle 220-240v 2500 1 (2500) 2750

Microwave 220-240v 1500 0.5 (750) 825

Desktop PC 220-240v 443 2 (886) 975

Printer 220-240v 35 2 (70) 77

Total Watt-Hours Required Per Day 20995

Once you have done this you will be able to see what your solar

system has to achieve.

How To Make Money From Solar Energy Surveying Your House For Optimum Usage32 33

For Your Information - Understanding The Path Of The Sun

This is the scientific part, but it’s critical to solar panel technology and whymany of the online calculators ask for the exact location of your property.Once you’ve read this section you’ll understand why it’s such an importantfactor.

As the earth moves, the sun travels on a very specific path throughour skies and as it does, the position of the sun changes and also its heightin relation to where we are located.

There are two times in the year when the day is exactly 12 hours long– 21 March and 21 September - when the sun rises due east and sets duewest. We call these times solar equinoxes. You can be sure that exactly sixhours after the sun has risen, the angle of the sun will be 90O minus yourlocal latitude.

In the Northern hemisphere, the longest day of the year is 21 June(Summer Solstice) and the shortest day is the 21 December (WinterSolstice). At the time of the Summer Solstice the angle of the sun is 23.5O

higher than on the Equinox and on the Winter Solstice it’s 23.5O lower.Let’s take London in the United Kingdom as an example. London’s

latitude is 51O. If we deduct London’s latitude of 51O from the sun’s equinoxof 90O we get 39O. Now we take the angle of the sun at Summer Solstice of23.5O and ADD it to 39O to get the position of the sun on the 21 June, theheight of summer, in respect to London and it is 62.5O. To find its lowestpoint we take the angle of the sun at Winter Solstice, which is also 23.5O,and DEDUCT it from 39O to get 15.5O on the 21 December which is mid-winter.

So for London in the United Kingdom the optimum tilt for solar panelsin degrees from vertical would be:

There are solar arrays that are mounted on a pole and have a solartracker sensor mounted on the top which tracks the sun across the sky andan electric motor moves the array so that it can generate the maximumamount of power. With roof mounted solar panels, where they cannot bemoved in this way, they need to be pitched at an angle relatively close tothe pitch of the roof.

January 22O July 54O

February 30O August 46O

March 38O September 38O

April 46O October 30O

May 54O November 22O

June 62O December 14O

2. Your Location’s Solar Irradiance

There are two main factors required when calculating solar energy:

n The number of hours of sunlight

n The strength of the sunlight

This combined information is referred to as solar irradiance or

insolation and is described as watts per square metre (W/m2) or kilowatt-

hours per square metre over a day (kWh/m2/day).

The wattage of photovoltaic solar panels is given on the number of

watts of power they are expected to generate and based on a solar

irradiance of 1,000 watts per square metre. This reading is what you

would expect at solar noon in mid-summer and not an average daily

achievement. Solar irradiance varies from place to place and, on top of

that, changes throughout the year have to be factored in also.

Once you know the solar irradiance for your location (the number of

kilowatt-hours {kWh} per square metre per day) that figure needs to be

multiplied by the wattage of the chosen solar panels and will give an idea of the

amount of energy you can expect your solar panels to provide on a daily basis.

Another benefit to knowing the solar irradiance values of your

location throughout the year is so that you can see the best angle for

the panels in summer and winter and an average can be calculated for

the best all year round tilt for fixed roof mounted panels. Taking into

consideration the angle and direction of the roof, the panel mountings

can be adjusted to provide the optimum tilt for your solar panels.

Fortunately, NASAs weather satellites have been monitoring solar

irradiance around the globe for decades and following are the solar

radiance values for London. Irradiance values for other UK locations can

be found in the appendix of this book.


JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN

Flat 0o

0.75 1.37 2.31 3.57 4.59 4.86

Upright90o

1.20 1.80 2.18 2.58 2.70 2.64

38o

Best YearRound Tilt

1.27 2.04 2.76 3.67 4.17 4.20

22o

Best Winter Tilt

1.30 2.03 2.62 3.34 3.66 3.69

54o

Best SummerTilt

1.19 1.95 2.77 3.84 4.52 4.63

JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC

Flat 0o

4.82 4.20 2.81 1.69 0.92 0.60

Upright90o

2.71 2.80 2.47 2.07 1.43 1.01

38o

Best YearRound Tilt

4.25 4.16 3.26 2.41 1.53 1.05

22o

Best Winter Tilt

3.76 3.73 3.06 2.37 1.56 1.08

54o

Best SummerTilt

4.66 4.41 3.31 2.33 1.43 0.97

Solar Irradiance Values – LONDON

Note: For irradiance values of other UK regions please see the Solar Insolation appendix.

Keeping Solar Irradiance Values Simple

You can see from the figures above that over the period of an average

December day in London, a solar array lying flat gets the equivalent of

0.6 hours of midday sun (36 minutes). In contrast, an average June day

in London will see the equivalent of 4.86 hours of midday sun (4 hours

and 50 minutes).

Panels in an upright position of 90O would get 1.01 hours in

December - that’s just over an hour - and only 2.80 in August (2 hours 48

minutes). So this should illustrate how important the angles of the solar

panels are when it comes to generating power.

If a tilt of 22O gets the best winter results and a tilt of 54O gets the

best summer results, we know that if we take an average of 38O this will

get the best overall results across the whole year and that’s what we’re

looking for (not the maximum power output EVERY month).

The chart above, for the London area, shows solar irradiance by

calculating the amount of sunlight shining on a single square metre of

panel. When the sun is high in the sky the intensity of sunlight on that 1

metre area is high. When the sun is low, the same amount of sunlight is

spread over a greater area.

Keeping Optimum Tilt For Fixed Solar Panels Simple

So, put another way, to get the optimum tilt for fixed solar panels, for

all the year round power generation, the calculation is:

90O – your latitude = optimum fixed year round setting

So London would calculate as: 90O – 51.5O = 38.5O.


Based On Solar Irradiance, How Much Power Will Your Solar Panels

Generate?

Based on the solar irradiance figures for your location, you can calculate

how much power your solar panel will give you per day on a monthly

basis. This is done by multiplying the monthly solar irradiance figure by

the manufacturer’s stated wattage of the panel:

Solar Irradiance x Panel Wattage = Watt-Hours Per Day

For example, if we take the December reading of the panel tilted

for optimum all year round power and multiply it by 20-watt solar panel

we can calculate the following:

1.05 x 20w =21 Wh of energy per day through December

You can use solar irradiance to give you a guide to how much capacity

you will need from your solar array too. This will be approximate at this

stage because there will be certain other factors to take into consideration

in order to calculate the exact capacity required, like your site’s

peculiarities, which we’ll be covered in the next section of this chapter.

Meanwhile, you can calculate a ball-park requirement for your solar

system that will help you to cost it too. Take the figure you calculated

for your total number of watt hours per day and divide it by the solar

irradiance figure for the worst month.


Yearly Total Of Horizontal Irradiation (kWh/m2)United Kingdom

Glasgow

Tyneside

Leeds

Sheffield

Nottingham

Birmingham

Bristol

London

Liverpool

Belfast

3. Your Site’s Peculiarities

There will be factors peculiar to your site that will affect the output and

income capabilities of your solar system. Some of these things may be

unchangeable like the size of your roof, others will be changeable like a

tall garden tree that’s overshadowing your panels and blocking out too

much sunlight but could be kept trimmed back in order to overcome the

problem. There will also be things that are unchangeable but, once you

know they will obstruct you from getting the best from your solar panels

in the format you’d planned, you can find an alternative solution. For

instance, a small roof may not be able to accommodate the panels you

had planned on using, as you cannot fit enough of them to generate the

power you require. However, you could use less panels of a more

powerful system. The smaller installation required may go some way to

meet the extra expense.

In order to identify these peculiarities and assess what needs to be

done about them, a thorough survey needs to take place.

Some Tools You May Need To Do Your Survey

n Compass

n Protractor

n Spirit level

n Tape measure

n Ladder

n Pencil

n Paper

Your solar PV system installer should do a thorough survey of your

site before proceeding. The following will provide you with an understanding

of what is required to get the maximum effect from your system. For

those who like the scientific side of things and would like to have a go

at surveying their site for themselves, here are some tips and tools for

going about it simply and inexpensively.

What You Will Be Looking For

You will be looking to answer these two questions:

n What will be the most suitable position for my solar array?

The answer to this question will tell you if the solar energy

system you’re thinking of installing is viable or not and, if it is,

how to get the most from it.

n What are the obstacles and will they block out too much

sunlight? This is the most important question, as obstacles

blocking out sunlight can dramatically reduce the efficiency of

your system. The answer relies on knowing where the sun will

be positioned in the sky at different times of the year in respect

to your exact location. It’s because the sun is much lower in the

sky during the winter months that the solar array can experience

more obstruction from surrounding features. Shadows from

nearby buildings may only occur in winter time but you need to

know so you can estimate the problem and find a solution.

Perhaps it’s a case of mounting the panels higher on the roof

than originally anticipated.

The Importance Of Sunlight And Shade

Although solar panel systems do not require constant direct sunlight to

operate, obstructions to the sun’s light - like trees, buildings and even

telegraph poles - can all make a difference to getting the most from your

solar energy system. As the sun ‘moves’ across the sky during the course


of the day and year, the obstacles blocking its light will change and it’s

important to know what those obstructions are and how those changes

will affect the power that can be generated in order to take the

necessary course of action.

There are ways of plotting the sun’s path across the sky and

checking shade. It changes throughout the year so calculations can’t be

based on one day’s findings but if you’ve never done a survey like this

before, choosing a sunny day will help you get a better idea of the things

you need to look out for.

Taking Note Of The Obvious First

Does the roof appear to have good access to sunlight and what obvious

problems, if any, can be observed? Check there are no obvious

obstructions like buildings, telegraph poles and trees that will block the

sunlight from the roof. Having solar panels installed is a long term

investment so include trees that are too small to worry about right now

but could be a problem in a few years time.

Don’t forget to include other things closer to home like dormer

windows, skylights and chimney stacks, that will either obstruct the sun

or limit the positioning of the solar array.

IMPORTANT: It’s useful to have access to the roof to check its

suitability but do be aware of the dangers. Many deaths and injuries

are caused through falling from roofs.

You know that the best position for the panels is south facing so

which part of the roof, front or back seems the best for that? Use the

compass to check and remember angled supports can be constructed at

the mounting stage to ensure panels are positioned correctly. Similarly,

if you have a flat roof, the panels can be fitted using angled mountings

for best results. Also take into consideration that panels can be mounted

on walls at an appropriate angle without protruding too far from the wall

as well as being mounted on a post or on the ground.

The way the roof is facing is one consideration but the pitch or

angle of the roof is something different and needs to be taken into

account also. The angle of the roof can be calculated with a protractor

placed at the base of the roof rafter underneath the roof itself.

Professionals use an inexpensive tool called a Roof Angle Finder or

Magnetic Polycast Protractor which can be bought from builders’

merchants. All you do is press the tool up against the roof rafters and

you will be given a reading of the roof angle in degrees.

The structure of the roof also needs to be checked to see if it’s

strong enough to take the weight of the solar array and that’s a tricky

one. If you have no experience in building structures, it’s going to be

very difficult for you to judge accurately. If in doubt, get advice from a

builder or architect - although the installer will be able to assess this for

you when the time comes.

Solar panels individually only weigh about 15 to 20 kilograms, which

is only about 33-44 pounds, but when multiple panels are combined

within an aluminium frame the combined weight can make a significant

difference. As the panels are going to be in situ for some time it’s

important that they are well supported.

When you’re thinking about positioning and getting the maximum

efficiency from your system, maintenance should not be overlooked. You

may want to think about the possibility of mounting the panels at the

lowest point of the roof, providing it doesn’t compromise their

effectiveness in any way. This would make them more accessible for you

if you decide to clean them yourself and most window cleaners use

telescopic window cleaning kits these days and will be willing to clean


them from time to time. Rain usually keeps the panels quite clean but awipe over every few months can prevent the build up of grime and keepthe panels working to maximum levels of efficiency.

Whatever you decide, you will need to get a measurement of the roofspace available for your solar array. To get a really good visual idea, somepeople use cut-outs made from cardboard boxes to represent the panelsand place them on the roof in position. Not only does this provide a visualbut it could also help to identify any obstacles that may need consideration.

3. Download the Sun

Chart PDF and print

it out. The Sun Chart

shows the position of

the sun for every

minute of the year

on a single piece of

paper.

4. Make 2 copies of the Solar Elevation and Azimuth Gauge (below).

5. Make the Elevation Gauge

- Paste one copy onto a piece of cardboard

- Trim the cardboard along the Sight Line (you will sight along this

edge for the elevation measurements)

- Put a small nail through the centre of the reference circle where

the lines meet

- Tie one end of a light string and the other end to any small

weight, like a bolt or a nut


Elevation AndAzimuth Gauge

Shading and Obstacle Analysis

There are especially designed tools for obstacle analysis, but unlessyou’re doing lots of surveys on a regular basis there is no point ininvesting in one. A simple and inexpensive way is to use a compass, a SunChart of your location and home-made solar elevation and azimuthgauges as follows:

1. Find the latitude and longitude of your location using Google Maps.

2. Get a sun chart for your area at:

http://solardat.uoregon.edu/SunChartProgram.html.

6. Make the Azimuth Angle Gauge

- Paste the other copy onto a piece of cardboard

- Find a thin straight piece of wood (a pencil will do) and drill a

small hole near one end. You will sight along this pointer to

measure azimuth angles

- Put a small nail through the drilled hole and then through the

centre of the reference circle

7. Set up a reasonably level surface (e.g. a pasting or card table) about

where your solar panel will be.

8. Tape the Azimuth angle gauge to the table such that 180 on the blue

azimuth scale faces true south.

9. Measure the azimuth and elevation angles for each of the high points

along your horizon. People in the Northern Hemisphere – that’s north

of the equator and includes all of us in the UK – need to observe things

starting from east and working through south to the west.

To measure the azimuth angle of an object, sight along the pointer that

you attached to the azimuth gauge, and move it until it is lined up with

the object. Then read the azimuth angle off the azimuth gauge where

the pointer passes the azimuth angle number scale.

10. Measure the elevation angle for the same object by sighting along

the Sight Line on the Elevation Gauge. Read the elevation angle where

the string crosses the elevation angle scale.

11. Mark the azimuth and elevation angles of each high point on the Sun

Chart, as you go, with a dot. Join the dots to mark the position of the

horizon on your Sun Chart.


Elevation Gauge Azimuth Gauge

Keeping Obstacle Tracking Simple

As mentioned previously, there are many tools that the professionals use.

They range from hundreds to thousands of pounds to purchase, so not

cost-effective for a one-off survey. There are solar pathfinders that allow

you to plot the obstacles on a chart and manually work out where shading

will occur and electronic systems with GPS, tilt switches and

accelerometers that will do the work for you and give you a superb

analysis.

It may be worth a small investment for an iPhone app called

Solmetric IPV which provides automatic obstacle tracking with yearly

shade analysis and skyline charts. It’s easier to use and much cheaper

and although the detail is not quite as thorough as the other expensive

electronic systems available, more professionals are using it. Find out

more from www.solmetric.com.

Reading The Results

The area below the line is the shaded part. Generally speaking, the

positioning of your solar application should be fine if you have about 6 hours

of unblocked sunlight around noon each day. That’s about 9am to 3pm.

If you do have obstacles blocking the light during this time then

you will need to work out what they are (trees, telegraph poles, etc.)

how long they occur for and when. Then you can decide on a plan of

action.

If blockages are serious, consider the following:

If it’s a tree that’s blocking the light, a slight trim might be all

that’s needed. Do consider other trees nearby that may not be an

obstruction now but could become a problem in a few years when

they grow.

Buildings, telegraph poles and immovable objects may mean you

need to consider locating a better spot for your panels.

Remember, adjustments can be made to the panel’s mounts to re-

align the panels for unobstructed sun. For instance, if you know that the

sun gets blocked in the afternoon, you could aim the panels a little east

of south in order to make better use of the morning sun.

Frequently Asked Questions About Surveying Your House For

Optimum Usage

Q: My roof isn’t south facing. Does that mean I can’t have solar

panels?

A: No. The ideal orientation for a Solar PV System is south, but

systems will still produce good yields in east and west

orientations. This is why it’s important to survey your site so

that anything that may prevent your solar panels from working

to maximum efficiency can be identified early on and a suitable

solution found.

Q: Will I need to get planning permission before I can have my

system installed?

A: This depends on your location but as a general rule, if the

system is to be fitted to a domestic property it won’t require

planning permission. Exceptions are listed building,

conservation areas, or areas of outstanding natural beauty.

However, it’s still advisable to check with your local planning

office to ensure compliance before any installation work is

undertaken. Your installer should undertake this for you and

prepare any necessary paperwork required.


50 51

Chapter Five

DIY Vs Getting An Installer

If you’re a capable DIY enthusiast you may be asking yourself whether or

not it would be more cost-effective to buy the panels and install the

system yourself. Getting the best system you can afford and cutting

installation costs may seem a reasonable way to save money short term,

but if you do go down the DIY route, you’ll not be able to make the

maximum income from your installation. So, the simple answer to that

question is - do not DIY.

If you’re thinking about installing a solar panel system because you

need back up energy or you want to provide electricity to a property

that’s not connected to the grid that could be a different matter. For a

holiday home, caravan or boat, it might make sense but the information

in this book is for householders who want take advantage of the Feed In

Tariff and maximise their income from solar energy. In order to get the

best return on your solar energy system the product used and the

installer chosen must both be Microgeneration Certification Scheme

(MCS) accredited.

MCS Accreditation Explained

For Installers, MCS accreditation means that they had to take part in a

recognised quality assurance scheme which demonstrates to their

customers their commitment to meeting rigorous standards set by the

industry. It is a mark of competency and proof that they are able to

install their systems to the highest quality – every time.

When a product is given MCS accreditation it assures the customer

that the quality and reliability of that product has been approved only

after satisfying rigorous test standards.

MCS accreditation has become the preferred standard in the

market place, especially when it comes to utilising schemes like the Feed

In Tariff. It is an EN45011 certification scheme and complies with the

government’s criteria for eligibility to access financial incentives.

How To Find An Installer

To begin the process of finding the right installer for your needs, go to:

www.theecoexperts.co.uk

This is a site where you can find MCS accredited installers in three

easy steps.

1. Just fill in the simple form about yourself to get matched with

accredited local suppliers and find the best quote for the service you

require.

2. You will be given a reference number and you have the choice of

simply waiting to be contacted or you can speed things up further by

calling the telephone number given with your reference number.

3. You’ll be matched with several suitable suppliers so you can compare

to see which you prefer based on your individual requirements and

priorities.

It’s a simple as that! The service is free and unbiased.

On this site you’ll also find plenty of other information on green

energy products and sustainable ways to heat and power homes and

offices.

What You Can Expect From Your Installer

A Thorough Survey

They should arrange to do a thorough survey of your property and site.

They will want to take into consideration such things as the area

available for the installation and the orientation in regard to capturing

the best sunlight conditions throughout the year. They will also carry out

a shade analysis and then decide on the best type of system to meet the

needs of your household.

Calculations

They should prepare a detailed design of the array they’re proposing with

a quote of how much the product and installation will cost. They should

include an estimate of how much electricity your PV panels will

generate, amount of income anticipated through the Feed In Tariff

Scheme and the payback period for the system.

It’s a good idea to get 3 or 4 quotes from reliable MCS accredited

installers before making up your mind who to go with.

Planning

Once you have decided on the installer and product and agreed on the

design and cost, they should complete all the necessary planning

applications and ensure proper authorisation has been obtained before

commencing work.

Planning permission is not generally required for this purpose but

it’s worth checking first, especially if your home is in a conservation area,

How To Make Money From Solar Energy DIY Vs Getting An Installer52 53

heritage site or listed building. At this stage they will also be able to let

you know a day when installation can take place.

Installation

A typical domestic installation can usually be completed within a day. You

can expect the installers to erect scaffold to enable them to have fast,

easy and safe access to your roof with the minimum of disruption to you.

Getting started

Installing your system is one part of the job done, but connecting it up

is another. It will probably be the following day when certified

electricians will arrive to connect your PV system to the National Grid.

Proof for FITs

The installer should have already prepared the paperwork required to

claim your FIT; on completion of the work you will need to sign the

documentation and send it to your electricity supplier as proof that you

now qualify to receive the tariff.

Warranties and Guarantees

MCS accredited PV systems carry a manufacturer backed parts guarantee

as standard, covering something like 10 years and can usually be

extended by the installer to 25 years for a little extra a month.

PV solar panel systems are incredibly strong and have no moving

parts so breakdown is extremely rare. The product itself is designed to

last long past its 25 year warranty. However, electrical systems of all

kinds can fail on occasions. So when considering extending your warranty,

find out what is guaranteed in respect to customer service and how easy

it is to contact someone and how fast a service engineer can be at your

door. It should be within 48 hours.

Aftercare

Many installers offer planned maintenance and cleaning services to

ensure your system is working at optimum performance.

Installer - Checklist

o Is your installer a large recognised company with sufficient

financial standing? If not, how will you be sure they will be

around to maintain the system?

o Do they have Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS)

accreditation? It’s a mark of quality assurance without which

you will not be able to claim your Feed In Tariff.

o Check out your installer at:

http://microgenerationcertification.org/mcs-consumer/installer-search.php

This is where you can find out all you need to know about

their certification along with their exact contact details.

o Similarly, do their products have MCS accreditation?

o Is their home survey free or do they require a deposit prior to

preparing it, making you obliged to use them for the installation

or lose that money?

o Do they calculate the level of electricity your PV system will

generate using sunlight data specific to your exact location? The

nationwide average sunlight level may give a false impression.


o How long will the PV system operate at full efficiency and how

will it decrease over the years? Your installer should be ready

to advise you that an average PV panel loses 1% efficiency every

year and they should have taken this into consideration when

they were preparing your calculation, so you know what your

Feed In Tariff will be.

o Do they offer a separate warranty on their inverters in case

something goes wrong with the electrics? If they do, how long

is it for and is it backed by the manufacturer? Is it free or do

you have to pay extra for it?

o Are they going to deal with the planning authority and national

grid on your behalf? If not, it means that you will have to sort

out the paperwork yourself.

2012, 2013 - Dates To Remember

It’s never easy to predict the future, especially when a new government

takes power, but fortunately the Feed In Tariff has made it through the

talks of new rounds of cutbacks, virtually unscathed. One thing’s pretty

certain, there’s never going to be a better time to install solar energy

and be part of the government’s Feed In Tariff scheme as now.

Why? Because this sort of financial incentive scheme is specifically

designed to ramp down to nothing as the market for it grows, technology

develops and industry costs are driven down.

Those already signed up to the FIT scheme will continue to receive

the 43.3p/kWh for the full 25 years, as originally promised and, although

it was in the balance for a while, the review of the tariffs is set to take

place in 2012 as originally planned. Any changes made at that review are

expected to take effect from 2013 onwards.

It’s likely that a sustainable reduction of the Feed In Tariff will

begin in earnest in 2013 and those coming into it late will not see the

type of return that we are trying to achieve in this book. So, although

the cost of this relatively new technology will come down in time, it’s

still better to install solar power today rather than tomorrow.

Frequently Asked Questions About Installing Solar Energy

Q: Why the rush to invest in solar PV?

A: The financial returns produced by solar PV Systems are

currently far greater than what is available in most banks. The

return is guaranteed for 25 years and indexed linked to the

Retail Price Index, all helping to make it a secure investment.

Q: The financial returns sound too good to be true. Are they

genuine?

A: They are genuine. The government has introduced the Feed-in

Tariff scheme as an incentive to get as many people as possible

installing microgeneration technology, which in return assists

them in meeting their EU targets for cutting CO2 emissions and

tackling climate change. FIT rates have deliberately been

introduced at a very attractive high level. What better way to

help kick start the Solar PV market and get consumers

interested in it. The cost of the scheme is met by the utility

suppliers, so the government has no incentive to cancel the

scheme. However, the FIT rates are set to be reviewed in April

2013, at which point it is predicted that they will be lowered.

They do have to start coming down eventually. So now is the


time to have a system installed and be guaranteed the current

FIT rate for 25 years.

Q: Wouldn’t it be better to wait until the cost of installing solar

PV comes down?

A: No. Installation costs will come down but the government sets

the Feed-in Tariffs to reflect the current installation cost. When

they reduce the FITs will do so as well, meaning the payback

period isn’t reduced. Plus, the current FIT rates are the highest

that they are ever likely to be. If you take into consideration

the fact that once your system is installed you’re guaranteed

the rate for 25 years, you can see for yourself that now is

actually the best time to do it.

Q: I can’t afford a Solar PV system at the moment, but I still

want one. What should I do?

A: Full capital investment is the best way to gain maximum return

on your money. However, if you haven’t got the funds up front

there are other viable options Please see the Financing Your

Solar Panel Installation chapter of this book.


Chapter Six

Choosing Your Solar Panels

In this chapter we want to look in more depth at the type of panels

available; the importance of choosing a reliable installer and system and

how to make effective price comparisons.

As you will have discovered from previous chapters, everybody’s

situation - and therefore requirements - are very different, so there is

no one system that fits all and neither are all panels created equally.

Although this may seem confusing at first, it’s actually a good thing

because it means there’s something out there for everyone’s energy

needs, roof space and budget.

If you ask a salesman which panels are best he’s going to tell you

his are. So how do you find what’s best for you? Firstly, you have to

realise the question isn’t, “What’s the best PV system?” but rather,

“What system will give me the best value?” Once you know what to focus

on, everything gets a lot simpler and you can easily work out the answer

for yourself if you, 1. Ask your prospective installer the right questions

and, 2. Do a very simple comparison calculation, which we will get to

soon. The main thing to remember right now is that even though some

panels are more efficient than others, that fact alone doesn’t justify

the extra cost.

First, let’s look at the types of solar PV systems that are available

and what you can expect from them:

Monocrystalline

Monocrystalline cells are cut from a single crystal of silicon. They are

the most costly solar panels to manufacture and therefore the most

expensive to buy. They can be up to 50% more expensive than equivalent

polycrystalline panels. However they are also the most efficient solar

panels available, with efficiency levels ranging between 15% and 24%.

Their extra efficiency means they are also the smallest solar panels (per

watt) available, which is something to consider where roof space is very

limited and fewer panels can be used. They come mounted on a rigid

frame for protection.

Polycrystalline or Multicrystalline

Polycrystalline cells are also known as multicrystalline and are cut from

a block of silicon that has been made up of a large number of crystals.

They have efficiency levels of between 13% and 18%. The production

process is not quite as complex as that for monocrystalline which makes

them less expensive and thanks to an increase in manufacturing capacity

the price has been dropping at a rate of 25%-30% per year since 2009.

They also come mounted on a rigid frame for protection.

Amorphous or Thin Film

Amorphous cells are also called thin film and consist of a thin film of

non-crystalline silicon that can be placed onto a wide choice of surfaces.

Due to its amorphous nature it is flexible and if placed onto a flexible

surface at the manufacturing stage, can be used on architecture that has

curved surfaces. The photovoltaic material is not as fragile as thin silicon

crystals and one or more layers can be printed or sprayed onto a flexible

substrate and protected by a flexible transparent layer applied in the

same way. The result is a much lighter and flexible product than silicon

crystal cells encased in glass and mounted using heavy frames.

Another benefit of not having to be encased in glass for protection

is that the cells maintain a lower temperature becoming more efficient

at higher ambient temperatures. They are more efficient in overcast

conditions and can even produce energy from full moonlight. The aim of

thin film technology it to allow more flexibility in their application while

being cheaper to produce than silicon cell panels.

Still, amorphous solar panels are the least efficient, converting a

maximum of around 8% of sunlight to electricity. There are a number of

different chemistries being used to produce amorphous solar panels and

the results are so varied, it’s impossible to recommend them in a

situation where you are looking to maximise output and income. While

they are the least expensive choice their inefficiency would mean that

many more panels would be required too, which would also be a problem

where roof space is limited.

Solar ShinglesSolar shingles are PV cells that are designed to look like regular asphalt

tiles while still being able to capture sunlight and convert it into energy.

There are a variety of designs but they generally come as shingle-sized

panels in strips of about 300 x 2,200mm (12 x 86 inches) that can be

stapled directly to the roofing felt. Usually they can be interspersed with

regular asphalt shingles but different models require different mountings

and installations. Once in situ, their dark blue-purple colour and the fact

they look, in most cases, similar to existing roof tiles make them a

favourite with those concerned about aesthetics.

Solar shingles may be designed differently to amorphous panels but

they use the same technology as thin film panels which means, when it

comes to getting the maximum output in order to benefit from the Feed

In Tariff, the same problems apply.

Calculating The Best Solar ValueWhen you receive quotes for your solar panel system you may be

surprised how much they differ. After all, you made sure that they were

MCS accredited installers providing the big brand named systems and

gave the companies the same details to work with - like your energy


needs, your roof space and your budget. So why has one come back with

a quote of £15,000 and the other £20,000? Has there been a mistake? Is

one of the companies trying to rip you off? The chances are, they are

both giving you the best deal they can. To find out, you need to ask:

“How much energy in kWh each system expects to produce in the

first year?”

Once you have the answer to this question, you can divide the cost of

the system by the amount of energy produced and this will give you an idea

of how much money, per kWh, you’ll be paying and you’ll be able to choose

the panel that produces the most kWh at the lowest cost. For example:

Brand Brand X Solar System Brand XX Solar Systems

Number of Panels 15 15

Year 1 Output 1,500 kWh 1,600 kWh

Cost of System £11,500 £12,000

Area 15 m2 15 m2

VALUE £7.67/kWh £7.50/kWh

Checking Out Solar PV Products

The MCS have been given the responsibility of approving solar panel

products and installers by the Department of Energy and Climate Change

(DECC). As we have mentioned before, if you want to be sure that you

can earn money from the Feed In Tariff scheme you need to use installers

and products that have a certificate of accreditation by the MCS.

You can reduce the true cost of solar panels by using quality solar

panel information websites providing information and access to the best

MCS accredited solar energy installers and products.

http://www.microgenerationcertification.org/consumer

To understand the efficiency of a specific solar panel that you are

considering you can find efficiency statistics at the following website:

http://www.solardesigntool.com/compare-solar-panels-modules.html

Frequently Asked Questions About Choosing Solar Panels

Q: Should I be looking for the panel that has the highest

efficiency or one that produces electricity at a lower rate?

A: The highest efficiency rate is most relevant where roof space is a

concern because you must make as much energy as possible with

fewer panels. However, in most cases it will be the cost of the

system that will be the greatest consideration. So choose the panel

that produces the most electricity (kWh) at the lowest cost.

Q: Can solar panels be attached to flat roofs?

A: Yes. An ‘A’ Frame will be used to angle the panels at between

20 and 50 degrees from the horizontal position, depending on

what angle is requires at that location.

Q: Will a solar system add value to my property?

A: Yes. In fact, a recent MORI survey revealed that people were

willing to pay up to £10,000 more for a home built to high

energy efficiency standards and, as a result, estate agents have

been raising the value of properties with solar panels.


Q: Is there really enough sunlight in the UK to make solar

energy a feasible option?

A: The UK receives just over half the energy found at the equator,

which is enough to operate a highly efficient solar panel system

from a south facing roof, even in the cooler northern reaches

of Scotland.


Chapter Seven

Solar System Components

Some of the components associated with solar systems are not required

for grid-tie systems and to get the most from the Feed In Tariff scheme.

However, they are still mentioned here so you can be sure what is and

isn’t needed for the time when you come to speak to an installer.

Solar Panels

There are many types of solar panels to choose from, as listed below.

They are described in more detail in the chapter on Choosing Your Panel

Types and Makes.

Monocrystalline

Monocrystalline panels are the most effective solar panels available

today with efficiency levels of between 15-24%. They are also the

most expensive as they are costly to produce.

Polycrystalline or Multicrystalline

Polycrystalline or multicrystalline panels are less effective than

monocrystalline panels but much better than amorphous or thin

film versions with an efficiency of between 13-18%. As you would

expect, they are less expensive than Monocrystalline but more

expensive than Amorphous or thin film.

Amorphous or Thin Film

Amorphous or thin film panels are the cheapest and least efficient

of the systems converting a maximum of around 8% of sunlight to

electricity. However, they work well in overcast conditions and can

even generate small amounts of power on brightly moonlit nights.

Their thinness and flexibility do make them more suitable for some

applications.

Solar Shingles

Solar Shingles are a product designed to mimic and replace the roof

tile but generate solar energy as well. Shingles are produced in a

similar way to amorphous or thin film panels and have similar

efficiency. An advantage is they blend in better with existing roof

tiles and some prefer them for aesthetic reasons.

Solar Panel Mounting System

This is the hardware to fix the solar panels to the roof, a pole or the

ground. It’s usually made of aluminium and allows for adjustment in

order to get the best positioning for the array and to ensure airflow

around the modules, as a solar panel’s efficiency can be affected by

overheating.

Combiner Box

This is simply an electrical enclosure. They are usually positioned next

to the array and are designed for outdoor use. Individual solar panels are

linked in one of two ways, a ‘series’ or a ‘parallel’ array. A series

increases the wattage and voltage that is generated and a parallel takes

the average voltage of all the solar panels and adds the wattage for the

maximum amount of power than can be generated. The combiner box

allows multiple panels to be combined in parallel and also houses series

string fuses or circuit breakers.

Inverters

A solar panel system generates low voltage Direct Current (DC). Grid or

mains electricity has to be high voltage Alternating Current (AC). The

inverter converts Direct Current to Alternating Current so you are getting

the same voltage you would be getting from the grid. Without the

inverter the power source would be too variable for most electrical

equipment to cope with and you wouldn’t be able to export to the grid.

A grid-tie inverter samples the grid or mains voltage and synchronises

its sine wave output to be at the peak voltage point at the same time as

the mains supply. This type of inverter is used to export spare electricity

generated by your system into the grid. It is also able to sense when there

is a power cut and disconnect itself from the grid so as not to attempt

powering neighbours’ houses and cause an electrocution risk to anyone

working on power lines that had been turned off.

Micro Inverters

Traditionally, a solar power system which is made up of a number

of panels or modules is connected to a single centralised inverter

which then converts the Direct Current to Alternating Current, as

described above. Micro inverters are designed to match to a single

panel or module. The total cost tends to be higher than using a

single inverter and not all manufacturers are offering this option,

but it’s worth considering.

This permits greater reliability as each panel will have its

own inverter so if one inverter goes down the only loss will be

power output from a single panel. Sometimes modules can perform

differently, due to shade, temperature or cleanliness. In this case

each inverter is responding to the output of the individual module

giving better overall efficiency and enabling the condition of each

How To Make Money From Solar Energy Solar System Components66 67

module to be monitored, so if one is performing lower thanexpected due to a build up of grime or other reason you will beable to pinpoint the problem panel easier.

Batteries

With a grid-tie photovoltaic solar system there is no need to worry aboutall the technicalities relating to batteries. The grid acts like a batteryensuring nothing goes to waste. Whenever the panels produce more thanthe household requires, the surplus energy is exported to the grid tobecome available for other consumers and you will be reimbursed forthis contribution.

Whenever the output is less than needed by the household the gridsupplies the difference.

Although a grid-tied solar panel system doesn’t require batteriesto operate, some might want to consider the possible benefits fromhaving a back-up bank of batteries to store energy until needed. If thegrid-supplied power stopped due to severe weather conditions, damageto power lines or other utility malfunction and demand began to outstripsupply, batteries could be a useful back-up system.

Batteries for this purpose are lead acid batteries that look a little

like car batteries on the outside but are designed differently internally.

They can be heavily discharged and recharged hundreds of times over.

Most are 6 or 12 volt and like the panels themselves can be linked

together to form a battery bank.

Solar Charge Controllers

A grid-tie system doesn’t require a solar charge controller, but any system

using batteries should have one. It regulates the amount of current the

solar system feeds into a battery bank. The main function is to prevent

the batteries from overcharging but they also block battery bank current

from leaking back into the array at night or cloudy days and draining the

battery bank.

MPPT Solar Charge Controllers

Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) solar charge controllers are

useful for off-grid solar power systems such as stand-alone and

water pump systems. It’s embedded with an algorithm to maximise

the amount of current going into the battery from a solar system.

It’s not a mechanical tracking system that physically moves the

modules but varies the electrical operating point of the modules

for maximising available power.

Ground Fault Protector

A ground fault protector averts the risk of damage to the controller or

solar array by cutting off the flow of current immediately, in the event

of a short occurring. Ground fault protection is usually included within

the controller or inverter but, even so, many experts advise the

How To Make Money From Solar Energy Solar System Components68 69

Solar Array

Earth/Ground

DC CircuitBreaker

CombinerBox Inverter

DCGroundFault

Breaker

TotalGenerationMeter

Import/ExportMeter

MainsServiceIsolatorSwitch

DistributionPanel

AC IsolatorSwitch

ToEectrical

Loads

National Grid

installation of a separate ground fault protector. For systems mounted

to a building, a separate Residual Current Device (RCD) needs to be included

and that also applies to any solar panel system that exceeds 100 watt.

Total Generation Meter

This is a meter which is installed with the PV system and measures the

amount of energy generated by the system chosen.

Export Meter or Feed-in, Feed-out Meter

This is a meter that can be installed by your energy provider that will

tell you how much is being fed back to the electricity grid. If an export

meter is not available, for whatever reason. The amount will be

estimated at 50% of the total generation measurement.

Frequently Asked Questions About Solar Panel Components

Q: Do all solar PV systems need batteries to operate?A: Not for solar systems linked to the grid. At night when the cells

are not generating energy, electricity will be imported from the

grid in the normal way and any excess electricity generated

during the day is exported and sold to your electricity supplier.

Batteries are only necessary for off-grid systems so that power

generated during the day can be stored for use in the evening.

Q: How long can I expect my system to last and will I have toreplace any of the components?

A: A PV Solar system that has no moving parts should last well in

excess of the manufacturers 20 year warranty. Usual life

expectancy is at least 40 years, so it’s unlikely that any of the

components will require replacing in the foreseeable future.


Chapter Eight

Free Solar Panels Vs Financing The Installation

If you have the money to pay for your solar PV system outright you should

expect to get your money back in about 8 to10 years which will enable

you to a enjoy a further 15 years of tax free tariff payments. It is

estimated that the average homeowner can expect about a 9% return

from their solar system which, compared to what banks are offering at

the moment, is a very attractive proposition.

Naturally, if you do have to borrow the money it will take longer

to get to where you’re profiting from your system. However, the

government’s commitment to carbon footprint reduction means the tariff

payments have been made deliberately profitable even when loan

repayments are factored into the equation.

The Power Of FREE

The introduction of Feed In Tariffs has given rise to many companies

seeing a way of generating extra profits by promoting Free Solar Panel

offers, sometimes referred to as “Rent My Roof Space” schemes. This

involves companies offering to fund, in full, the equipment and the

installation while providing some ongoing money saving benefits to the

householder. In return, the company receives the income from the

generation and export tariffs.

Some homeowners see the potential but have ruled out the

possibility of solar power for their own homes due to the initial outlay.

But the savings they could make may seem worth it. It has to be

remembered this is not an act of charity and that the companies offering

these schemes do expect to recoup their costs via the income received

from the Feed In Tariffs and then go into profit as quickly as possible.

In order for it to be worthwhile to the companies making this offer,

they have to lay down strict criteria that has to be met in order for the

household to qualify for the scheme. This usually means they will only

consider roofs that are facing close to due south. It’s likely they will

require larger roofs and rule out any form of shading that may prevent

them from getting the maximum use of the area.

One quick and safe way to see if you might qualify for free solar

panels is to go to view your home on Google Maps at:

http://www.google.co.uk/maps, switch to satellite view, take a look at

the part of your roof that’s south facing and measure the biggest area

of it.

Another good thing about enquiring about free solar panels is that

if you find you do qualify then you can be fairly sure that your roof is in

a very good position to get the most from a solar PV installation.

The important thing is to know sooner than later so you can take

action while the FITs payments are being guaranteed by the government

to stay at this high rate for anyone entering the scheme prior to the next

review. After that happens, people entering the scheme will do so at a

much lower rate of pay.

So are free solar panels for you or will you be able to find a way to

finance your system and maximise your output and income for profit?

The terms and conditions for receiving free solar panels will vary

from one company to another but on the next page are some things you

should consider and research further before making up your mind. This

is a long-term agreement and things can change so you need to know

who is responsible for what before you start.

Things That NeedClarifying...

Company Offering FreeSolar Panels

The Householder

In the case of free solarpanels, who actually ownsthem?

The company owns the panels, unless otherwisestated.

As with any deal theterms ofownership canvary and it isrecommended that thehouseholder lets themortgage company knowof the intention of havingfree solar panels installedbefore proceeding.

Who pays for thesolar systemand installation?

The company is expectedto pay for everythingrequired in full.

Some Free SolarCompanies makeyou pay a legal fee ofaround £500 to cover theircosts making it notentirely free.

Who receives theGenerationand Export Tariffs?

Usually the company willexpect to receive thegeneration and exporttariffs in full.

Do not expect to receiveany income fromelectricity generated orexported to the grid.

What about freeelectricity?

The company willnormally allow thehousehold to benefit fromthe free electricity that isbeing generated duringdaylight hours.

The householder shouldexpect to benefit fromall the free electricitygenerated. If based on50% being used on siteand 50% exported atabout £50 per installedwatt, a typical 3kWpsystem could representa saving of around £150on the householder’selectricity bill.

Continued overleaf

How To Make Money From Solar Energy Free Solar Panels Vs Financing The Installation72 73

Things That NeedClarifying...

Company Offering FreeSolar Panels

The Householder

Who will be responsiblefor maintenance andrepairs?

As the owner of the solarsystem, the responsibilityfor organising and payingfor maintenance andrepairs belongs to thecompany.

Householders shouldn’thave to pay for anyrepairs or maintenance,but check out theagreement, especially anystipulation relating todamage that may havebeen caused by membersof the household.

What about planningpermission?

It should be the companythat takes responsibilityfor finding out if planningpermission is required anddealing with the necessarypaperwork.

Solar PV does not usuallyrequire planningpermission as it isconsidered a permittedform of development.However there areexceptions and it’srecommended thathouseholders make suretheir local planning officeis informed.

What happens to thesystem and the deal if thehouseholder moves home?

Solar energy installationsand Feed in Tariffs arelinked to the property, asit’s a long-termarrangement. Theagreement stays with theproperty.

This is a prime area thatshould be clarified beforeproceeding. Although solarenergy systems are anasset to any property, newowners may not want toinherit the deal that’salready been made.

What happens if acompany that has offeredfree solar panels ceases tooperate?

This will vary from onecompany to another andin what way the companyhas ceased to trade.

This is also something thatthe householder shouldclarify with the companybefore proceeding. If thecompany goes intoliquidation, theliquidators may use theincome generated to payoff creditors.

Financing Your Solar Panel PV Installation

Energy Efficient Mortgages

If none of the FREE solar panel schemes seem worth the bother, there

are ways you could raise the finance for your own solar system including

adding the cost to your mortgage.

If you have equity in your home, it’s quite possible that the Feed

In Tariff you would receive could repay the extra loan, generate a profit

and reduce your energy bills in one go. If you’re looking to move house

and you’re thinking about solar power for your new property, you could

consider looking for a house with a suitable south-facing roof and add

the cost of the solar PV installation onto your new mortgage.


Scenario For Adding The Cost To Your Mortgage

n In this scenario we will imagine that you could borrow anadditional £15,000 on your repayment mortgage at 5% APR over25 years.

n Payments would be £1,052 per annum.

n You could purchase a 4kwp solar PV system that we will estimatecould provide you with a Feed In Tariff of about £1,370 perannum.

Therefore:

n The loan is paid for by the Feed In Tariff with £318 to spare

n Your system would likely provide you with around 3,200 units offree electricity. According to the DECC, the average UKhousehold uses 3,300 units of electricity per year so you wouldexpect a significant reduction in your electricity bill.

Other Sources of Funding

Local Council Grants

Some local councils run renewable energy schemes of their own and if

your home meets certain criteria, may award a grant that will pay for

the installation of your solar PV with either full or part funding. These

local grants are very limited and usually aimed at homes struggling the

most with fuel bills.

Interest Free Loans

Where available, these loans are offered by local authorities and regional

governments, covering just a proportion of your solar PV installation.

These types of loan can be very attractive, especially where the

repayment terms are flexible for homeowners. On a £5,000 loan from a

bank with a typical 14.5%, a zero interest loan monthly payment would

be in the region of £83 compared to the bank’s £118 – a £35 monthly

saving and a total saving of £2,058 over the period of the loan.

Leasing Solar PV

This system operates along the same lines as a vehicle lease for

homeowners who would like to spread the cost over a specified period.

The customer takes out a contract with the leasing company associated

with the installer. The installer will then proceed to design, supply and

install the system for the customer.

There are no upfront costs to the client with payments commencing

at time of delivery. The lease is designed to become cash positive after

about 6 years, after which the homeowner pays a nominal rent for the

system.

This type of finance is 100% tax deductible, giving the homeowner

the opportunity to proceed with the installation early enough to take full

advantage of the Feed In Tariff. This eliminates the need for more

complex bank loans or trying to raise the full amount before the project

can commence.

You could also visit www.therenewablenergycentre.co.uk/grantsfor information on the types of loans available.

Frequently Asked Questions About Free Solar Panels

Q: Will my home be harder to sell with someone else’spanels on?

A: There seems to be very mixed feelings about this and it couldwork one of two ways. The Energy Savings Trust has statisticsthat indicate that homes with solar panels on them sell 30%faster than those without. However, the prospective buyer maynot like the idea of inheriting the agreement of a previousowner but may be persuaded otherwise if shown the benefitsof electricity savings.

Q: Would a free solar panel supplier require regular access tomy property for the purpose of maintenance?

A: No. Some access from time to time may be required but thecompany should contact you to arrange a date and timeconvenient to you.

Q: Can we purchase the panels off the company at a later dateif we want to?

A: No. The company benefits from the revenue generated over the25 year period. However, it’s often the case that ownership ofthe system transfers to the homeowner at the end of the FITscheme and the panels will be left on the property in perpetuityor for the life of the panels so the homeowner can continue tobenefit from them. A solar PV system may be classed as a homeimprovement and, as such, increase the value of the property.


Q: Can anyone qualify for free solar panels?

A: No. Free panels are only offered to those whose household

meets the right criteria to obtain optimum performance. For

instance, although panels operate on roofs that aren’t south

facing, free solar panels are usually selected for roofs that are

either south facing or within about 30% either side of due south.

There will also be a specified roof size that will be able to

house sufficient panels without interruption and the space

available must not overshadowed by trees or neighbouring

buildings.

Chapter Nine

Hidden Costs

Hidden costs of installing solar panel systems are usually related in some

way to the ongoing care of the system. Fortunately, roof mounted solar

panels have no moving parts, which reduces the risk of damage or

malfunction. Solar panels are made of ultra strong materials and robust

mountings that are designed to be waterproof and withstand extreme

temperatures, high winds and snow load over a long period of time.

Each solar product often comes with its own specific guarantee

including a 5 or 10 year workmanship and materials warranty; 20-25 year

performance warranty, guaranteeing 90% of rated production for

between 10 and 15 years and 80% for 20-25 years. However, it’s important

that the panels are kept operating at maximum efficiency for the length

of their life and a budget should be in place for cleaning and

maintenance and consideration given to how you would deal with any

problems, should they arise.

Cleaning and Maintenance

The glass casings of the solar modules are often designed to include self-

cleaning properties and a combination of angle and rainfall usually works

well to keep the panels free of dirt to some extent but rain alone is not

sufficient, as it will be impregnated with grease and grime from traffic

and the environment in general. Similarly, bird droppings and a build up

of wind-blown leaves and airborne debris, if left unchecked, can greatly

diminish the output of the panels. It’s estimated that you could risk losing

around 25% of your electricity production if the build up is allowed to

continue indefinitely.


In the chapter on Surveying Your House For Optimum Usage it was

suggested that you consider mounting the panels low down on the roof

in order to make them as accessible as possible for cleaning and routine

maintenance. But the final decision on their positioning must rest with

where they will be able to perform most efficiently without the

possibility of becoming overshadowed with neighbouring buildings trees

and other obstructions.

Panels go through stringent tests to ensure they are able to

withstand heavy snow loads. Having a covering of snow on the panels

may not pose a problem when it come to damaging them and snow will

melt in time, but all the time it’s blocking out the light it’s also

preventing the panels from producing the desired power. If heavy

snowfall occurs you will want to be able to remove it swiftly and safely.

Safety First: There are several ways that cleaning can be tackled

but safety must always come first.

n Many accidents causing serious injuries and fatalities are caused

every year by falls from roofs.

n Solar modules are not live and high standards of protection have

been introduced, rendering them as safe as any other electrical

appliance found in the typical home, but it should always be

remembered that dangerous levels of voltage are still present

and the necessary care should be taken.

n Solar panels only heat up to a similar level as any glass or black

plastic that’s left exposed to the sun. However, accessibility to

children or anyone else that may accidently touch them when

they’re at their hottest should be avoided.

The Hidden Cost of Keeping Your Solar Panels Clean

The frequency, method and products used in cleaning your solar panels

can be discussed with your installer. This not only helps to decide the

best way to keep your panels generating the maximum power but ensures

you meet the manufacturer’s requirements for proper usage and do not

infringe any rules that may affect your warranty.

The hidden cost of keeping your solar panels clean so they can

continue to perform at their most effective needs to be taken into

consideration when calculating your return on your investment. That cost

will be largely determined by your own personal circumstances and

preferences. Here are some ways you might consider:

Clean Them Yourself

If the panels are low mounted it may be possible to use a telescopic

cleaning kit for ensuring they are kept free of debris and dirt. It’s also

possible to get cleaning products that include dirt and rain repellent to

help keep your panels cleaner for longer.

Ask Your Regular Window Cleaner

Telescopic window cleaning equipment has been used by professional

window cleaners for some time now in order to access high windows and

glass conservatory roofs that can be particularly difficult to access. More

and more cleaning companies are adding solar panel cleaning to their

list of services so, if they’re there to do your windows anyway, it may be

cost-effective to work in a panel clean from time to time.

Automatic Solar Panel Cleaning Systems

You could install a system that can be programmed to automatically wash

and rinse your solar panels. This involves attaching nozzles to your solar

How To Make Money From Solar Energy Hidden Costs80 81

panels then using an existing water source like a hose bib to provide the

water. A special reservoir containing soap concentrate is also available

for use when necessary. Although this may seem a worthwhile addition

attaching cleaning nozzles may make your warranty void and could be

more expensive than it’s worth.

Does Your Installer Provide This Service?

Your installer may offer an ongoing maintenance service which could

include cleaning. The benefits are that they should be very aware of any

manufacturer’s instructions and familiar with their own systems. They,

if anyone, should have the experience and practical knowledge of the

best way to keep their products operating to maximum performance.

Caring for Components

We have already seen that solar panels do not require a great deal of

servicing and for on-grid systems there are no batteries to replace but

there are other electrical components to the system. As with all

technology electronic components can malfunction at times and it’s fair

to say that during the long life expectancy of the system, something like

the inverter for instance, may eventually need fixing or even replacing.

What Part Does The Typical Solar Panel Warranty Cover?

As mentioned above solar panels come with their own guarantee from the

manufacturer which usually includes a 5 or 10 year workmanship and

materials warranty. This type of warranty means that if some sort of

malfunction is caused as a result of defects found in materials or

workmanship of the panels it will be repaired or replaced by the

manufacturer and the choice of whether it’s repaired or replaced is theirs.

Some installers may offer an option to extend this warranty for afurther 5 years. They may offer this free, as part of a promotional dealor as an added extra which you will have to pay for if you take the option.As with all warranties there are always exclusions and limitations thatyou need to be clear about to decide if an extension is worthwhile. Forinstance the warranty won’t cover damage caused by what they wouldterm as abuse or misuse, which may include modifications that don’tstrictly follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

Insurance Cover

If the 5 or 10 year warranty only covers defects of materials andworkmanship, an insurance should be in place for the rest - like accidentaldamage; lightning; fire, flood and vandalism. This usually means adjustingyour buildings insurance. If the panels have been financed through amortgage lender or some other third party then they will no doubt insistthat they’re included in the building insurance. Possible theft of yourpanels is also something that can be covered. Claims are rarely made butthe whole point of insurance is to be ready for the unexpected.

This is also where having a servicing contract with your installercould also come in handy. Not just to ensure the upkeep of your panelsbut, in the unlikely event that accidental damage may occur, you knowyou’ll be up and running again quickly and with the minimum ofinconvenience. Because it’s one thing having the cost covered byinsurance but you will also want to get the repairs done as quickly aspossible. Having your system inoperative is not only inconvenient but it’sleaving you out of pocket. If your installer provides this kind of servicehow long will it take to get a response to a call out?

Are There Any Extra Costs Hiding in Your Roof?

Any repairs needed to the roof should be done prior to installing solarpanels and if, during the survey of your home, it’s considered that the

How To Make Money From Solar Energy Hidden Costs82 83

roof needs strengthening this will be an extra cost before the solar panels

can be installed. Strengthening can be done without the need for

replacing the roof and usually with little disruption to the home as the

reinforcements are usually constructed underneath the roof with fairly

easy access from the loft. The cost for this will vary depending on the

amount of work required but it could cost a further £500 or more.

Frequently Asked Questions About Hidden Costs

Q: Will I have to pay tax on the generation and export tariff

that I receive?

A: Income received from the Feed In Tariff scheme is tax-free for

householders.

Chapter Ten

Selling Your Solar Powered Home

Having solar panels installed is similar to installing double glazing, an

extension or any other home improvement; it’s expected to add value

to the property. When it comes to being on-grid and part of the Feed In

Tariff scheme, the extra income plus savings on the electricity bills

should make it even more desirable to a potential buyer, especially as

people become more environmentally conscious.

With the government’s commitment to reducing our carbon

footprint and the incentives they’re currently providing to encourage as

many people as possible to join, being able to produce your own solar

power is expected to become the norm. When this happens, buying a

household without solar electricity will be seen as disadvantageous.

Solar As a Selling Point

It’s going to take a few years to see the full impact that solar panels, or

any of the other renewable technologies for that matter, will have on

house prices but there are some early indications that are worth taking

note of.

Although it doesn’t involve exactly the same elements as what

we’re talking about in this book, if we look at the increasing number of

‘zero carbon’ apartments that are beginning to spring up it can give us

an idea of how people are viewing this type of technology when it comes

to house buying. It’s estimated that these properties are more likely to

sell for about 2% more than their carbon producing equivalents - even

without the added incentive of the Feed In Tariff payments - as these go


to the landlords. This suggests that the combined benefits of a lower

carbon footprint and reduced electricity bill are good enough incentives

to pay extra for property.

However, it seems that there is still a lot to do to make people

aware of the full benefits achievable and that the majority of people

buying homes are almost totally unaware of the potential of the Feed In

Tariff incentive payments and focus only on the lower energy bills. This

lack of knowledge is reflected in the extra amount buyers seem prepared

to pay for the inclusion of solar panels.

There have been some small surveys where 33% of buyers said they

would be more likely to buy a property with solar electricity but 17% said

they would be less likely. Add to this the 53% that said lower electricity

bills would be an influential factor and I think it’s fair to conclude that

people are unaware and even confused by the potential of having a solar

powered home.

One of the main problems is that estate agents have not been

representing properties with solar panels as effectively as they could,

with many actually ignoring the marketing potential altogether. This is

set to change as electricity bills rise and people are almost forced to

become aware of the benefits. The lesson to be learned is never to

assume that the estate agent will market the benefits of your property’s

solar system properly.

All that aside, studies do show that there is a demand for homes

with solar panels, which means that this added feature can and should

generate more interest than those without. It’s estimated that having

solar panels has the potential to sell your property 30% faster, if

marketed correctly.

Help Yourself to Market Your Property Effectively

n Solid proof is always good for marketing purposes so keep copies

of electricity bills from before the time the solar panels were

installed to compare with bills from the same period (summer

or winter) from after the installation.

n Make sure the estate agent you use includes details of both fuel

savings and feed in tariff payments being received on the sales

details.

n A good service record will not only serve as proof of how little

maintenance is required but will also validate that the system

is in good running order.

Added Value For The Future

Fuel prices are rising and set to continue to do so. The Feed In Tariff is

locked in to the higher payment for those meeting the right criteria prior

the 2012 deadline and guaranteed by the government for 25 years. Once

the next review takes place the payments will be set to reduce for those

that install after the deadline. This makes your existing installation even

more valuable for the future.

It’s also worth noting that suggestions are being made that the size

of a household’s carbon footprint may affect the amount of Council Tax

liable, similar to what’s already happening to cars – the larger the engine

the higher the road tax. It’s only a proposal but it’s worth keeping an

eye on and using to your advantage when you finally come to sell your

property.

How To Make Money From Solar Energy Selling Your Solar Powered Home86 87

Things To Consider When Selling Your Home With Solar Panels

Unlike central heating or an extension, solar panels do not offer a buyer

any immediate benefit. When buying a new home most buyers are

counting every penny, so to be persuaded to pay a premium for solar

panels, no matter how attractive the idea, just may not work, unless the

buyer can be convinced that the future financial benefits far outweigh

the immediate disadvantages. Again, that’s where proper marketing of

the property comes into its own.

How Much Should The Premium Be?

If we accept that, as things stand at the moment, solar panels increase

the value of the property by 2%, on a property worth £250,000 you are

looking at an added value of around £5,000. There are two problems with

this; the first is that the lack of awareness of the benefits of this

relatively new technology is showing that buyers are generally not

prepared to pay that much for the addition of solar energy. The second

is that even if they were prepared to pay an extra £5,000 it would not

cover the installation costs of the solar panels, which will probably be

in the region of £10,000 to £13,000.

To make selling a solar panel property worthwhile, you would

probably need to stay in your home for at least 5 years after installation

in order to benefit from the Feed In Tariff and electricity savings

sufficiently enough to at least recover the cost of the installation. In

reality, the technology is still relatively new and the exact benefits of solar

power and FITs are still unknown to the majority of home buyers so the

affect it will have on house prices is yet to be seen. The conclusion is that

if you are not intending to stay in your property long enough to make the

investment worthwhile, there’s little point in having solar panels installed.

Take The Tariff With You

Clearly, when you move home you cannot take your solar panels with

you, no more than you would expect to take your double glazing, central

heating or extension. It wouldn’t be worth your while to do so anyway,

as it would be considered a separate installation and you would not be

able to benefit from your previous tariff terms. The solar panels and

tariff remain with the property and generally benefits are transferred to

the new homeowner.

Although the panels and the electricity savings remain with the

house they were intended for, it may be possible to have the Feed In

Tariffs assigned to you in a similar way that companies offering free solar

panels do. They install solar panels onto roofs of other homeowners for

free, but your panels would already be installed free of charge to the

new homeowner.

Similarly to having free solar panels, the benefits to the buyer

would be not having to pay the extra for the solar panels and still

benefiting from the cheaper electricity bills.

For your point of view, as the seller, you could continue to receive

the Feed In Tariff payments. As you will already know what return you

are likely to achieve over the tariff term and as you wouldn’t be able to

include the full price of the solar installation in the asking price for the

property, this is a good way to redeem your investment and at the same

time secure an ongoing income.

This option may appeal to buyers looking for a property with solar

energy but without the extra finance to pay the premium. The added

incentive of lower cost electricity could be a very attractive and unique

selling point.

There will be costs involved getting the correct documentation

drawn up and ironing out the terms and conditions that would apply. As

How To Make Money From Solar Energy Selling Your Solar Powered Home88 89

the ownership of the panels would remain with you, the cost of

maintenance and servicing remains your responsibility. Solar panels are

low cost but not ‘no cost’ and some components can be expensive to

repair or replace.

Similarly, insurance cover and service contracts will all be affected,

so professional advice from a suitable solicitor that has experience in

these matters should be sought before entering in to any such

agreements. Your buyers also have rights that you need to know about

and which you wouldn’t want to infringe on.

Frequently Asked Questions About Selling Your Solar Powered Home

Q: If I choose free solar panels what impact would this have on

my house price?

A: We have seen from the chapter on Free Solar Panels that these

schemes do have some benefits but when it comes to selling

your property having free solar panels could have a negative

effect on both the value of your property and ease of sale. Even

if a buyer comes along that is actively looking for a property

with solar panels, the chances are they will want to benefit

from the Feed In Tariffs as well as the reduced cost of

electricity. Worse than that is they may object to inheriting

your deal with the solar panel owners.

Q: Is it an added complication to transfer the system over to

the next owner?

A: No. The system is transferred within the sale of the property

and not separately.

Chapter Eleven

Feed In Tariffs For Commercial AndNon-Domestic Properties

The government’s Feed In Tariff scheme extends beyond domestic users.

The public sector, health services, education, places of work and worship

are all included.

Just with domestic users there are criteria that have to be met in

order to qualify - like the size of the solar installation has to be less than

5MW - but that’s sufficient to mean that almost everyone could become

eligible and covers many types of properties. Included are industrial

buildings, hospitals and medical centres, care facilities and nursing

homes, warehouses, farm buildings, churches and retail outlets.

As solar systems are listed as a permitted development technology

planning permission is not usually required but it’s always best to check,

as some properties, like churches for instance, may well be listed

buildings. A simple check with local authorities should clarify the matter.

As with domestic installations, products used and installers must

be MCS accredited in order to qualify for payments.

Here are some examples of what type of savings and income can

be generated from the Feed In Tariff for non-domestic installations.

Farm Buildings

There have been some changes to Feed In Tariff regulations and

agricultural land. New deadlines for completing solar farm developments

limit the potential for large scale solar farms being installed on

agricultural land. However, solar panel arrays up to 50kW which would


require an area of approximately 400 m2 installed on farm buildings or

erected on special frames can bring excellent returns.

As with domestic installations, all installations under 50kW must use

MCS accredited products and installers in order to qualify for the FIT

scheme. If the installation is above 50kW it has to be accredited through

Ofgem’s Renewable and CHP Register. Then the farmer is able to receive

the generation and export tariffs and make savings on the electricity used

on site in a similar way to any other homeowner but on a larger scale.

Example Of What Can Be Achieved With A Solar Panel Installation On

A Farm Building

Area of South-Facing Roof 148 m2

Number of Panels 82

Output Per Panel 230w

Total Predicted Generation Per Year 16,189 kWh

Feed In Tariff Rate 31.4p/kWh

Export Rate 3p/kWh

% Exported Rate 50%

Annual Income from FIT £5,326

% Energy Used on Farm 50%

Energy Savings at 12p per kWh £971

Total Cost of Installation £64,124

Gross Annual Margin £6,298

Return on Initial Investment 9.8%

Payback Period 10 Years

Predicted Total Income Over 25 Years £193,652

Schools

Schools too are finding that installing solar is not only a great example

in the community of how to cut carbon but a practical way to defend

themselves against rising electricity costs. With a generation tariff of

between 31.4p and 43.3p per unit and 3p per unit exported to the grid,

it’s also a good investment in the future. As with household applications,

the tariff is guaranteed for 25 years and payments are inflation-linked.

Example Of A School Installation Based On A Typical 4 kWp Solar

System Situated On A South-Facing Roof

Cost of System £16,000 Approximately

Expected Units Generated Yearly 3,400 kWh

Yearly Generation Payment £1,400

% Energy Used by the School 75%

% Energy Exported to the Grid 25%

Estimated Savings on Electricity Bill £331

Export Income £25


Total Savings and Income Per Year £1756

Note: The inflation-linked values will cause payments to increase each year.

How To Make Money From Solar Energy Feed In Tariffs For Commercial and Non-Domestic Properties92 93

Industrial Buildings

There is great potential for large commercial properties. An ideal

situation would be a 9.66 kWh (42 panel) system installed on a south-

facing roof.

Example Of A Solar System Installed On an Industrial Building

Output Per Panel 230w

Predicted Yearly Electricity Generation 8.292 kWh

Feed In Tariff Rate 43.3p/kWh

Customer’s Electricity Price 10p per kWh

Annual Income From FIT In First Year £4,134

Total Financial Return Over 25 Years £151,081

% Return On Initial Investment 16%


Churches

The Diocesan Advisory Committee (DAC) has produced guidelines about

the things that should be considered when exploring the possibilities of

whether solar panel systems are appropriate for a church.

More information and practical ideas for making your church more

energy efficient can be got from the Diocese of Oxford, who has

produced a simple guide called For Creed and Creation.

You will need to find out if planning permission is required as the church

may be a listed building, in which case you may have to work alongside English

Heritage and the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB).

Here’s An Example Of What Was Achieved By A Non-listed Church

Building Installation

Amount Of Panels 129

Panel Capacity 24KW

Roof Orientation South Facing

Cost Of Installation £80,000

Estimated Income From FIT Payment £8,000 Per Year

Frequently Asked Questions About Feed In Tariffs For Commercial

And Non-Domestic Properties

Q: How would a church find the funding for a solar energy

installation?

A: Many churches have managed to access grants and then raise

the remaining funding within the local community. There are

ethical co-operatives that match investors with ‘green’

projects. The investors help to cover the upfront costs for a

share of the FITs profits. And there are ‘rent your roof’ schemes

or ‘free’ solar panel offers where businesses pay the cost of the

panels and installation and in return take the FITs payments.

Q: I’ve heard about the Generation Green programme, what is

it?

A: Generation Green is a programme designed by British Gas to

educate and inspire pupils and the wider community about

sustainability and energy efficiency. There are a variety of

educational resources and activities available and opportunities

to win solar panels for the school.

How To Make Money From Solar Energy Feed In Tariffs For Commercial and Non-Domestic Properties94 95

Q: How long does it take to install a solar panel system on a

commercial property?

A: In comparison to domestic systems which take between 2 to 5

days to install, commercial systems can take several weeks to

over a month, depending on size. However, most of the work

takes place outside so disturbance to the workplace is minimal.


Chapter Twelve

Other Potential Green Revenue Sources

The aim of renewable electricity tariffs and heat incentives is to help

make these types of technology available to everyone, whether in a

domestic or commercial context, as fast as possible and overcome the

problems of cost associated with any relatively new technology. As tariff

schemes last around 20 years this gives the industry the time required

to invest in and develop production techniques which, in turn, helps bring

down the price of renewable energy.

The UK’s dependency on imported fossil fuels has been growing

rapidly for some time. By helping to lower the costs of the technologies

that are tackling climate change, the government can help reduce that

dependency along with the UK’s carbon footprint.

This book is primarily concerned with on-grid solar PV technology

and getting the most from the Feed In Tariff scheme associated with it

but there are other potential green revenue sources that should be

considered and compared, including:

n Wind Turbines - which may be free standing or building mounted

n Hydroelectricity – electricity produced by water power

n Anaerobic Digestion – power produced by the breakdown oforganic materials to produce gas

n Micro Combined Heat and Power - heating technology whichgenerates heat and electricity simultaneously, from the sameenergy source - (Micro CHP is limited to a pilot scheme at thisstage)

Wind Turbines

Forty percent of Europe’s wind energy blows across the UK, opening up

the possibility of generating electricity for the home from small scale

wind turbines. Small wind turbines or micro-wind systems can harness

the power of the wind then use it to generate electricity that can help

power domestic lighting and electrical appliances.

Once installed, wind turbines can be integrated into the electricity

grid in a similar way to solar panels. A particular benefit of wind turbines

is their ability to continue generating power at night and throughout the

winter.

Most of us are familiar with free-standing wind turbines but there

is a type of turbine that has been designed for mounting on a building.

The style and efficiency varies from one manufacturer to another but

it’s generally accepted that a building-mounted wind turbine will not

generate as much electricity as its pole or tower- mounted counterpart.

A building-mounted turbine is far less costly to install than a free

standing version, where the construction of its foundations have to be

considered. As with other technologies, what’s right for the location has

to be considered along with how much power is required for the site and

what return can be made.

Unlike roof-mounted solar panels, there are moving parts involved

with wind turbines and the combination of weight and vibration could

add stress to the fabric of the building. Just as one would consider the

strength of a roof before installing solar panels, structural advice should

be sought prior to installing wind turbines.

The wind blowing from Europe will not affect all parts of the UK in

the same way so location has to be considered carefully. Local wind

speeds are very important to the system’s efficiency. It’s recommended

by The Energy Saving Trust that average wind speed needs to be 5 metres

per second, 11 miles per hour or more. Obstructions to the flow of wind

from trees or buildings and even the height at which the wind turbine is placed

will also have an effect on the amount of electricity that can be generated.

Again, like solar panels, the system and the installer have to be

MCS accredited to be eligible for the FIT scheme. Eligible turbines

installed prior to 31 March 2012 will receive the following tariffs:

Turbine Size Generation Tariff Export Tariff

<1.5kW 34.5p/kWh 3p/kWh

>1.5-15kW 26.7p/kWh 3p/kWh

These are index-linked for 20 years.

Other Things To Consider About Wind Turbines

The capital outlay and installation costs for a wind turbine system can

be quite high compared to some other technologies. This depends on the

model and whether it’s building-mounted or free-standing.

Unlike solar PV panel systems that only require planning permission

if they are for heritage buildings or on conservation areas, all wind

turbine installations require planning permission at this time.

Although solar panels have no moving parts, therefore emit no

noise, the same cannot be said of wind turbines. The amount of noise

generated will vary but a working turbine cannot be completely silent

as there are two sources of sound. The first and most obvious is the sound

of the blades rotating, which is unlikely to be much of a problem unless

you are very close to them or it’s particularly windy.

The main source of noise will come from the generator as the

blades rotate coupled with unavoidable vibration. This will be more

noticeable during high winds when more energy is being produced and

resonate through whatever the turbine is attached to.

How To Make Money From Solar Energy Other Potential Green Revenues98 99

Hydroelectricity

Hydroelectricity systems work by harnessing the power of moving waterin order to generate sufficient electricity to power the lighting andelectrical appliances of an average sized home.

If the hydro system is sufficient to replace electricity that wouldnormally be bought from the national grid, then savings could be quitesubstantial. Hydroelectricity systems can also be connected to the gridand are eligible to receive the Feed In Tariff.

A 15kW system or smaller could qualify for a generation tariff ofup to 19.9p/kWh and an exported tariff of 1p/kWh.

Other Things To Consider About HydroelectricityThis technology is dependent on access to fairly fast flowing water sothere are three main things to consider:

1. Is there a suitable river or stream close to the property?

2. Not only is access to a fast-flowing water course required butalso the permission to build round it.

3. Is the water flow pretty consistent throughout the year or doesit vary during a dry period when a significantly reduced flow mayleave a shortfall in electricity requirements for that time?

It is necessary to have an Abstraction Licence. This is obtained fromthe Environment Agency or the Scottish Environment Protection Agency.

Anaerobic Digestion

Anaerobic Digestion is a process where micro organisms break down bio-degradable materials producing a methane and carbon dioxide bio-gasthat can be used to replace fossil fuels as an energy source. The

widespread use of this technology would greatly reduce the amount oforganic waste that would otherwise be used in landfill or have to beincinerated.

The bio-gas produced can be used for heating and cooking in the

home and converted to bio-methane for injection into the national grid

making it eligible for FITs. The size of the tariff is still under some debate.

Anaerobic digesters for the home are not really viable at this time.

This is due to a couple of main reasons, the first being that the average

household doesn’t produce enough biodegradable waste and would only

be able to generate around 4% of the energy a typical household would

use in a year. Secondly, a digester has to be big enough to reach the

optimal temperature of 35OC in order to produce bio-gas – again, this

just isn’t practical in a domestic situation.

One viable possibility for its use could be as a community project,

providing the right planning permissions and licences could be acquired. The

bio-gas and fertilizer by-product could be sold. The most practical application

at this time seems to be for farmers, where there is more space to build a

suitable sized plant and the potential for far more biodegradable waste.

Tariff from 1 April 2011

<500 kW AD System 12.1p/kWh

>500 kW AD System 9.4p/kWh

Proposed Tariff

<250 kW AD System 14p/kWh

>250 - 500 kW AD System 13p/kWh

Subject to the outcome of parliamentary consultation, revised tariffs will

be introduced from 1 August 2011.


Other Things To Consider About Anaerobic Digestion

It’s currently being debated whether the tariff proposed is high enough

to make investing in this technology worthwhile.

Depending on the size of system required, planning permission may

be needed and it’s certainly advisable to discuss any plans in full with

local planning authorities before having an AD system installed.

Micro Combined Heat and Power (Micro-CHP)

Micro-CHP refers to a form of heating that produces electricity from the

same source at the same time. At the moment that source is usually

mains gas or liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) but Micro-CHP systems can

also be fuelled by oil or bio-fuels.

Although gas and oil are fossil fuels and therefore not classed as

renewable energy sources, this system still qualifies as low carbon

technology. Generating heat and electricity at the same time is far more

energy efficient than burning fossil fuel for heating purposes and then

getting whatever electricity is required for the home via the grid.

A Micro-CHP system used in a typical domestic setting would be

expected to generate around 1kW of electricity per hour, which is sufficient

power for the lighting and electrical appliances of most households.

Just like other modern boilers used in the home, Micro-CHP systems

are about the same size and shape and can be wall mounted or floor

standing. The only significant difference is their ability to generate

electricity at the same time as heating water - as a by-product of that heat.

Therefore, Micro-CHP technology is also eligible for the

government’s FIT scheme, providing the householder with a generation

tariff of 10.5p/kWh and an export tariff of 3p/kWh. However, this is a

pilot scheme that will support up to 30,000 installations with a review

to commence with the completion of the 12,000th installation.

Other Things To Consider About Micro-CHPMicro-CHP only generates electricity when there is a requirement for

heat also. That means this technology is most effective for use in houses

where heat demand is high. For instance, older buildings where the usual

means of reducing heat demand, like improved insulation and draught

exclusion, doesn’t work and other low carbon heat generators like wood

stoves are ineffective.

Renewable Heat Incentives (RHI)

Apart from the Feed In Tariff scheme, there is also the Renewable Heat

Incentives (RHI) scheme.

March 2011 saw the government announce details of the RHI which

was expressly designed to provide financial backing and encouragement

for people to switch from using fossil fuels for heating to renewable

energy alternatives.

For domestic users there will be two phases to the scheme. The

first is the Premium Payment Phase which is a one-off payment and

comes into effect from July 2011. It’s worth £1.5 million and available

to 25,000 UK households who install renewable heat from that date. The

exact amounts that will be available for different technologies have not

yet been confirmed but the Department of Energy and Climate Change

(DECC) suggests the following:

Phase 1 - Short Term One-Off Premium Payments

Solar Thermal £300/unit

Air Source Heat Pumps £850/unit

Biomass Boilers £950/unit

Ground Source Heat Pumps £1,250/unit


Recipients will have to ensure that they have an energy

performance certificate to show they have a well-insulated home and

must agree to give feedback on how the equipment performs.

Phase 2 - Long Term Tariff

Those in receipt of Renewable Heat Premium Payments will also be able

to receive long term RHI tariff support, once it’s introduced, and anyone

who installed eligible technology from 15 July 2009 will also be able to

benefit from the Phase 2 tariff.

There are still some things that need to be clarified concerning air

source heat pumps. Although they are definitely included in the Phase

1, one-off Premium Payment, their inclusion in the tariff payment will

depend on consumer feedback related to their performance. The tariffs

will commence from October 2012.

The Green Deal

The government’s Green Deal is another mechanism for helping

consumers finance energy efficient improvements to their homes without

upfront costs. Payment is recouped via a charge applied to their energy

bill. It’s paid in instalments, along with their utility bill which should be

less due to the savings made.

It’s not a conventional loan, as the bill-payer isn’t responsible for

the full cost of the system on the charges due on the bills they pay. Once

the bill-payer moves out of the property the obligation is transferred to

the next bill-payer. The contractual liability of the customer is with the

energy provider.

Before finance is available and work carried out on the property

an accredited adviser must recommend an appropriate solution, after

carrying out an assessment of the property in question. The adviser will

be in a position to give customers a broad range of information about

how they might best improve the sustainability of their homes and not

just focus on one particular system. The advice given must also be

appropriate to the terms of the Consumer Credit Act which means taking

into account an applicant’s individual circumstances.

There are a number of safeguards in place to protect the consumer

and the ‘golden rule’ of The Green Deal is that the expected financial

savings must be equal to or greater than the costs attached to the energy

bill. The recommended work must also be carried out by an accredited

installer.

Frequently Asked Questions About Green Sources Of Revenue

Q: Will a wind turbine mounted on my property cause damage

to its structure?

A: Buildings are designed to take compressive loads - a pressure

that flattens rather than lateral loads associated with wind

resistance and which a building- mounted wind turbine would

impart. The vibration caused would be transmitted to the

building and could cause structural damage.

Q: How can I tell if hydroelectricity will work for my home?

A: Hydroelectricity will not be suitable for every home due to its

dependency on a nearby source of flowing water like a stream,

river or weir, so that’s the main consideration. After that, you

would need to know about the practicalities like seasonal

variations in water flow and accessibility. There is free guidance

to help you to find answers to all these questions and more

from your nearest Energy Saving Trust advice centre.


Q: What is the main health and safety issue with anaerobic

digestion systems?

A: Fire. Bio-gas is combustible.

Q: How difficult is it to have a Micro-CHP unit installed?

A: If you already have a conventional boiler, it’s easy enough to

replace it with a Micro-CHP unit as they’re about the same size.

It’s not a complex procedure when performed by a qualified

installer and electrician.

Q: Will tariffs specific to Micro-CHP be considered in the future?

A: Yes and they will be in conjunction with the Renewable

Obligation tariffs for combined heat and power.

Q: Do I have to pay tax on my tariffs?

A: The government announced that income from Feed In Tariffs

would be tax free for householders installing systems largely

for their own use. Similarly, Renewable Heat Incentive income

will also be exempt from tax.

Q: Can RHI payments be re-assigned to someone else in the

same way as FIT?

A: No. Only the owner of the installation will be able to receive

the RHI payments. They cannot be assigned to others.


Appendix

Solar Insolation Values For The UK

As described on in chapter four, solar insolation or irradiance is a

measurement of the amount of energy you can expect your solar panels

to capture from the sun per square metre, depending on your location

and tilt of the panels.

On page 36 there is a table of solar insolation values for London

and in this appendix we have included similar charts for the rest of the

UK. The values are shown as average irradiance measurements in

kilowatt-hours, per square metre, spread over a day and averaged out

over a period of each month of the year.

We have already seen how the amount of energy captured from the

sun varies depending on the tilt of the solar panels, time of year and

location. The following tables show the results gained by mounting your

solar panels horizontally and vertically, and gauge the optimum tilts for

best winter and summer performance and, more importantly, best year-

round performance.


Flat 0o

4.82 4.20 2.81 1.69 0.92 0.60

Upright90o

2.71 2.80 2.47 2.07 1.43 1.01

38o

Best YearRound Tilt

4.25 4.16 3.26 2.41 1.53 1.05

22o

Best Winter Tilt

3.76 3.73 3.06 2.37 1.56 1.08

54o

Best SummerTilt

4.66 4.41 3.31 2.33 1.43 0.97


Flat 0o

0.75 1.37 2.31 3.57 4.59 4.86

Upright90o

1.20 1.80 2.18 2.58 2.70 2.64

38o

Best YearRound Tilt

1.27 2.04 2.76 3.67 4.17 4.20

22o

Best Winter Tilt

1.30 2.03 2.62 3.34 3.66 3.69

54o

Best SummerTilt

1.19 1.95 2.77 3.84 4.52 4.63

How To Make Money From Solar Energy Appendix of Solar Insolation Values For The UK108 109

Solar Insolation Values - London


Flat 0o

0.80 1.44 2.42 3.70 4.73 4.99

Upright90o

1.34 1.94 2.33 2.71 2.80 2.72

38o

Best YearRound Tilt

1.41 2.18 2.94 3.84 4.31 4.32

22o

Best Winter Tilt

1.44 2.18 2.81 3.50 3.79 3.80

54o

Best SummerTilt

1.30 2.08 2.94 4.01 4.68 4.76


Flat 0o

5.00 4.31 2.88 1.75 0.95 0.62

Upright90o

2.81 2.90 2.57 2.18 1.51 1.09

38o

Best YearRound Tilt

4.42 4.30 3.37 2.53 1.61 1.12

22o

Best Winter Tilt

3.92 3.86 3.17 2.49 1.64 1.16

54o

Best SummerTilt

4.85 4.55 3.41 2.43 1.50 1.03

Solar Insolation Values - South East England



Flat 0o

0.81 1.51 2.49 3.91 5.13 5.37

Upright90o

1.26 1.98 2.36 2.83 2.97 2.84

39o

Best YearRound Tilt

1.34 2.25 3.00 4.07 4.70 4.64

23o

Best Winter Tilt

1.37 2.24 2.86 3.72 4.13 4.08

55o

Best SummerTilt

1.25 2.14 3.00 4.24 5.08 5.12


Flat 0o

5.28 4.37 3.07 1.74 1.01 0.65

Upright90o

2.90 2.88 2.72 2.09 1.54 1.08

39o

Best YearRound Tilt

4.68 4.34 3.60 2.45 1.65 1.13

23o

Best Winter Tilt

4.07 3.90 3.40 2.41 1.68 1.16

55o

Best SummerTilt

5.12 4.59 3.64 2.36 1.54 1.04

Solar Insolation Values - South West England


Flat 0o

0.72 1.34 2.37 3.60 4.68 4.90

Upright90o

1.18 1.80 2.30 2.63 2.78 2.68

38o

Best YearRound Tilt

1.25 2.03 2.89 3.71 4.24 4.21

22o

Best Winter Tilt

1.27 2.02 2.74 3.38 3.77 3.69

54o

Best SummerTilt

1.16 1.94 2.90 3.89 4.61 4.65


Flat 0o

4.86 4.20 2.82 1.64 0.91 0.57

Upright90o

2.75 2.83 2.52 2.04 1.45 1.01

38o

Best YearRound Tilt

4.27 4.16 3.30 2.36 1.55 1.04

22o

Best Winter Tilt

3.77 3.73 3.10 2.32 1.57 1.07

54o

Best SummerTilt

4.69 4.41 3.35 2.29 1.45 0.96

Solar Insolation Values - East Of England



Flat 0o

0.64 1.31 2.20 3.37 4.44 4.51

Upright90o

1.07 1.80 2.11 2.47 2.67 2.53

37o

Best YearRound Tilt

1.13 2.01 2.64 3.45 4.01 3.88

21o

Best Winter Tilt

1.15 2.00 2.51 3.13 3.56 3.40

53o

Best SummerTilt

1.05 1.92 2.66 3.62 4.37 4.28


Flat 0o

4.50 3.82 2.59 1.54 0.80 0.51

Upright90o

2.59 2.59 2.31 1.93 1.27 0.94

37o

Best YearRound Tilt

3.95 3.74 3.01 2.22 1.36 0.96

21o

Best Winter Tilt

3.48 3.35 2.81 2.18 1.37 0.99

53o

Best SummerTilt

4.33 3.98 3.06 2.15 1.27 0.89

Solar Insolation Values - East Midlands


Flat 0o

0.71 1.35 2.28 3.47 4.51 4.69

Upright90o

1.18 1.84 2.18 2.54 2.70 2.59

38o

Best YearRound Tilt

1.24 2.06 2.74 3.56 4.09 4.05

22o

Best Winter Tilt

1.26 2.05 2.60 3.25 3.64 3.55

54o

Best SummerTilt

1.15 1.97 2.75 3.73 4.45 4.46


Flat 0o

4.69 4.04 2.70 1.65 0.90 0.57

Upright90o

2.68 2.73 2.41 2.08 1.45 1.03

38o

Best YearRound Tilt

4.14 3.99 3.14 2.40 1.55 1.06

22o

Best Winter Tilt

3.65 3.58 2.95 2.36 1.57 1.09

54o

Best SummerTilt

4.53 4.23 3.19 2.31 1.44 0.97

Solar Insolation Values - West Midlands



Flat 0o

0.61 1.35 2.45 3.88 5.35 5.47

Upright90o

1.17 2.03 2.61 3.04 3.31 3.06

35o

Best YearRound Tilt

1.21 2.23 3.71 4.14 4.90 4.65

19o

Best Winter Tilt

1.24 2.22 3.03 3.76 4.33 4.07

51o

Best SummerTilt

1.11 2.12 3.17 4.33 5.33 5.15


Flat 0o

5.13 4.29 2.91 1.66 0.77 0.44

Upright90o

3.01 3.05 2.81 2.27 1.38 0.94

35o

Best YearRound Tilt

4.49 4.32 3.56 2.56 1.44 0.95

19o

Best Winter Tilt

3.95 3.85 3.34 2.52 1.46 0.98

51o

Best SummerTilt

4.96 4.59 3.60 2.46 1.34 0.86

Solar Insolation Values - North East England


Flat 0o

0.66 1.32 2.30 3.63 4.92 5.00

Upright90o

1.16 1.85 2.28 2.74 2.99 2.79

36o

Best YearRound Tilt

1.21 2.06 2.83 3.79 4.49 4.31

20o

Best Winter Tilt

1.24 2.05 2.69 3.46 4.00 3.78

52o

Best SummerTilt

1.12 1.96 2.83 3.97 4.89 4.77


Flat 0o

4.88 3.98 2.73 1.53 0.79 0.50

Upright90o

2.82 2.74 2.51 1.95 1.29 0.95

36o

Best YearRound Tilt

4.31 3.94 3.23 2.23 1.37 0.96

20o

Best Winter Tilt

3.80 3.54 3.04 2.19 1.39 0.99

52o

Best SummerTilt

4.73 4.18 3.28 2.16 1.28 0.88

Solar Insolation Values - North West England



Flat 0o

0.62 1.30 2.30 3.51 4.69 4.78

Upright90o

1.12 1.86 2.31 2.64 2.86 2.68

36o

Best YearRound Tilt

1.16 2.06 2.85 3.64 4.24 4.09

20o

Best Winter Tilt

1.19 2.04 2.71 3.31 3.77 3.58

52o

Best SummerTilt

1.08 1.96 2.86 3.82 4.63 4.50


Flat 0o

4.64 3.89 2.67 1.54 0.75 0.47

Upright90o

2.70 2.68 2.46 1.99 1.25 0.92

36o

Best YearRound Tilt

4.07 3.83 3.16 2.28 1.32 0.94

20o

Best Winter Tilt

3.58 3.42 2.96 2.24 1.34 0.97

52o

Best SummerTilt

4.47 4.08 3.21 2.20 1.24 0.86

Solar Insolation Values - Yorkshire And The Humber


Flat 0o

0.51 1.16 2.03 3.22 4.55 4.66

Upright90o

0.99 1.75 2.05 2.46 2.85 2.68

34o

Best YearRound Tilt

1.02 1.91 2.51 3.32 4.11 3.97

18o

Best Winter Tilt

1.04 1.90 2.37 3.00 3.64 3.47

50o

Best SummerTilt

0.94 1.83 2.53 3.49 4.49 4.37


Flat 0o

4.31 3.63 2.42 1.33 0.64 0.38

Upright90o

2.58 2.55 2.28 1.76 1.14 0.86

34o

Best YearRound Tilt

3.77 3.52 2.87 1.99 1.20 0.86

18o

Best Winter Tilt

3.31 3.17 2.68 1.95 1.21 0.89

50o

Best SummerTilt

4.15 3.77 3.93 1.93 1.12 0.78

Solar Insolation Values - Central And Southern Scotland



Flat 0o

0.47 1.11 2.05 3.30 4.52 4.63

Upright90o

0.99 1.74 2.16 2.59 2.88 2.70

33o

Best YearRound Tilt

1.00 1.88 2.60 3.44 4.08 3.93

17o

Best Winter Tilt

1.03 1.87 2.46 3.12 3.62 3.43

49o

Best SummerTilt

0.92 1.80 2.61 3.62 4.46 4.32


Flat 0o

4.31 3.61 2.45 1.31 0.59 0.32

Upright90o

2.61 2.57 2.38 1.80 1.12 0.77

33o

Best YearRound Tilt

3.75 3.50 2.96 2.01 1.16 0.76

17o

Best Winter Tilt

3.30 3.15 2.77 1.96 1.18 0.79

49o

Best SummerTilt

4.11 3.75 3.02 1.95 1.08 0.69

Solar Insolation Values - North Scotland


Flat 0o

0.72 1.33 2.21 3.52 4.57 4.75

Upright90o

1.14 1.74 2.04 2.54 2.70 2.59

38o

Best YearRound Tilt

1.21 1.97 2.59 3.61 4.15 4.11

22o

Best Winter Tilt

1.23 1.96 2.46 3.29 3.65 3.61

54o

Best SummerTilt

1.13 1.89 2.61 3.78 4.51 4.52


Flat 0o

4.71 3.97 2.71 1.55 0.89 0.59

Upright90o

2.66 2.64 2.37 1.87 1.35 0.99

38o

Best YearRound Tilt

4.16 3.91 3.12 2.18 1.45 1.03

22o

Best Winter Tilt

3.68 3.51 2.93 2.14 1.47 1.06

54o

Best SummerTilt

4.56 4.14 3.17 2.11 1.36 0.95

Solar Insolation Values - South Wales



Flat 0o

0.66 1.32 2.30 3.63 4.92 5.00

Upright90o

1.14 1.83 2.26 2.72 2.97 2.77

37o

Best YearRound Tilt

1.19 2.04 2.81 3.78 4.48 4.30

21o

Best Winter Tilt

1.22 2.03 2.68 3.44 3.98 3.77

53o

Best SummerTilt

1.11 1.95 2.82 3.96 4.88 4.76


Flat 0o

4.88 3.98 2.73 1.53 0.79 0.50

Upright90o

2.81 2.72 2.49 1.93 1.27 0.92

37o

Best YearRound Tilt

4.29 3.93 3.22 2.22 1.35 0.95

21o

Best Winter Tilt

3.79 3.52 3.02 2.18 1.37 0.98

53o

Best SummerTilt

4.72 4.18 3.27 2.15 1.26 0.87

Solar Insolation Values - North Wales


Flat 0o

0.61 1.25 2.15 3.39 4.54 4.54

Upright90o

1.09 1.79 2.12 2.55 2.79 2.58

35o

Best YearRound Tilt

1.13 1.98 2.62 3.51 4.12 3.90

19o

Best Winter Tilt

1.16 1.97 2.49 3.19 3.66 3.42

51o

Best SummerTilt

1.05 1.89 2.64 3.68 4.49 4.27


Flat 0o

4.30 3.64 2.56 1.42 0.74 0.43

Upright90o

2.54 2.51 2.36 1.82 1.25 0.82

35o

Best YearRound Tilt

3.79 3.56 3.02 2.08 1.32 0.83

19o

Best Winter Tilt

3.34 3.19 2.83 2.04 1.34 0.86

51o

Best SummerTilt

4.15 3.79 3.07 2.02 1.24 0.77

Solar Insolation Values - Northern Ireland

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Glossary Of Terms

AC - Alternating current.

Amorphous - A type of solar cell, also known as Thin Film, consisting of a thin film of non-crystalline silicon.

Anaerobic Digestion System - Gas produced by the breakdown of organic materials.

Angle - Also called Pitch and usually refers to the inclination of a roof in degrees.

Azimuth Angle Gauge - A device for making angular measurements in degrees with respect to true North.

Battery Bank - Batteries used for storing energy that are linked together to form a ‘bank’.

Combiner Box - An electrical enclosure allowing multiple panels to be combined in parallel and which also houses series string fuses orcircuit breakers.

Controller - For an off-grid system using batteries, a controller regulates the amount of current the solar system feeds thebatteries.

Crystalline - One of the two main technologies used for the productionof solar panels.The other being non-crystalline amorphous.

Current - The flow of electrons in a circuit.

DC - Stands for Direct Current. A solar panel system generates low voltage Direct Current which has to be converted to AC.

Deemed - Estimated.

Efficiency - The extent to which a solar system can transform sunlight into electricity for domestic or commercial use.

Elevation Gauge - A device used in line-of-site surveys to reveal obstacles.

Energy - Power generated over a period of time. Electrical energy is usually shown as Watt-hours (Wh) or kilo Watt hours (kWh).1 kWh = 1,000 Wh.

Export - Refers to the transference of excess electricity generated to the national grid.

FITs, Feed In Tariff scheme - A government backed scheme designed as an incentive to installing accredited solar systems.

Generation - The generation of all electricity via a solar system.

Green Deal - A government backed incentive for helping consumers finance energy efficient improvements to their homes withoutupfront costs.

Grid Connected - Also known as grid-tied and refers to a system that is tied to the national grid.This allows the home to run on solarelectricity generated during the day with surplus energy being soldback to the energy company. In the evening and at night, powerrequired by the home is imported from the grid in the usual way.

Grid-Tie - See Grid Connected.

Ground Fault Protector - Averts the risk of damage to the controller orsolar array by immediately cutting off the flow of current, in theevent of a short occurring.

Hydroelectricity - Electricity produced by water power.

Insolation - Also called Irradiance. Refers to the number of hours of sunlight and the strength of that sunlight at a particularlocation - taking into consideration the changes that occurthroughout the course of the year.

Inverter - Converts the electricity from direct to alternating current suitable for use in the home.

Irradiance - See Insolation.

kWh - Kilo Watt hours. A measurement of electrical energy.

Latitude - The angular distance of a location in respect of the equator,expressed in degrees and minutes.

MCS - Microgeneration Certification Scheme. An internationally recognised, industry led and funded scheme focused on ensuringthe quality of renewable technology installations and products.

Micro-CHP - Micro Combined Heat and Power. A form of heating that produces electricity from the same source at the same time.Usually refers to mains gas or liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) butcan also be fuelled by oil or bio-fuels.

Monocrystalline - Solar cells cut from a single crystal of silicon.

Mounting System - The hardware used to fix the solar panels to the roof, a pole or the ground.

Multicrystalline - Also known as polycrystalline. These are solar cells cut from a block of silicon that has been made up of a largenumber of crystals.

New Build - A building that has yet to be occupied for the first time.

Obstacles - Any temporary or permanent fixtures that will cast shadowon, or block sunlight from, the solar panels at any time during theyear.

Off-Grid - A solar system that is operating completely independent of the national grid.

On-Grid - See Grid Connected.

Orientation - Refers to the direction in which your roof is facing.

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Photovoltaic - Often abbreviated to PV, photovoltaic simply refers to the process by which sunlight is converted into electricity.

Pitch - See Angle.

Polycrystalline - See Multicrystalline.

Power - A measurement of the rate of energy conversion in Watts (W).

PV - See Photovoltaic.

Retrofit - A term used when describing an installation on a building that is already occupied.

RHI - Renewable Heat Incentive. Another of the government’s schemes designed to provide financial backing as an incentive for people toswitch from using fossil fuels for heating to renewable energyalternatives.

ROC - Renewables Obligation Certificate. A green certificate issued by Ofgem for eligible renewable electricity generated within the UK.

SAP - Standard Assessment Procedure. The government’s recommendedprocedure for calculating the energy rating of domesticproperties.

Shade - See Obstacles.

Solar Array - A group of solar modules linked together.

Solar Cell - An electrical device designed to convert energy extracted from light into electricity by photovoltaic means.

Solar Modules - Also known as solar panels and consist of assemblies ofcells designed to capture energy from sunlight.

Solar Panels - See Solar Modules.

Solar Shingles - PV cells that are designed to look like regular asphalt tiles while still being able to capture sunlight and convert it intoenergy.

Survey - In this book, ‘survey’ refers to inspecting your home to evaluate its suitability for a solar panel system and plan how toget the most from the government’s Feed In Tariff scheme.

Thin Film - See Amorphous.

Tilt - The angle at which the solar panels need to be mounted in order to get the best all year round performance, after taking intoconsideration the location’s irradiance values, roof pitch andorientation.

Voltage - Measured in Volts (V) and is the potential difference betweentwo points, like the positive and negative ends of a battery. Ameasurement of the energy of electricity, in particular, per unitcharge.

Warranty - Solar panels come with their own specific guarantees, and usually include a 5 or 10 year workmanship and materialswarranty.

Wattage - An amount of electrical power expressed in Watts (W).

Wh - Watt-hour. A unit of energy equivalent to 3600 joules.

Wind Turbine - A device that can be free-standing or building-mountedand used to harness the power of the wind to generate electricity.

Wp - Watt-peak. The professed power of a solar cell or panel.

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References

Solar Electricity Handbook - Michael Boxwell

http://www.ofgem.gov.uk

http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk

http://www.microgenerationcertification.org

http://www.builditsolar.com

http://www.spiritsolar.co.uk

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The UK Government has introduced Feed InTariffs, giving British homeowners the abilityto generate an estimated £1,000 per annumfrom solar electricity.

This book is an informative read, giving youan introduction to all you need to know aboutsolar energy and photovoltaic systems.

Having read the book, you will be able toanswer the following questions:

n Are solar panels right for your houseor business?

n How do you accurately calculate theexpected return?

n How do you install panels to ensuremaximum return?

n Should you consider installing free solarpanels?

n What are the hidden costs of solar panels?

n How do solar panels affect the sale ofyour house?

How To Make Money FromSolar Energy

For more information on Solar Energy visit:www.theecoexperts.co.uk

Price: £15.99 UK

Documents

Solar panel guide