Solar Panels, formally known as Solar Photovoltaics or simply Solar PV, capture the suns energy and convert it into electricity that you can use in your home or business. Despite popular belief, the cells in the Solar Panels do not need direct sunlight to work and can even work on cloudy days, which is good news for our UK based homes.
How do solar panels work?
A single Solar PV panel generates around 355W* standard of energy in strong sunlight. Generally, systems contain around ten panels, and this is what is known as an array. This system generates direct current (DC) electricity; however household appliances use alternating current (AC), which is why an inverter is installed along with the system to convert DC electricity to AC.
You can use this converted electricity in your home, store it within a battery system to use later, or export it to the grid.
Would solar work on my roof?
In general, the more direct sunlight a solar panel can use throughout the day, the more energy it can produce. This is why a south facing roof is the ideal candidate for a solar install. If your roof is more East or West facing you will still benefit, but you will generate slightly less energy the further you move from South facing. This is why we wouldn’t recommend a system on a North facing roof.
The pitch of a roof is also an important factor, as solar panels need to be pitched between 30-40° to work efficiently. The solar panels can still be installed on a flat roof, however extra hardware would need to be installed to gain the minimum 30° pitch.
It’s worth noting if you have any shaded areas on your roof. Think chimneys, trees, or any nearby buildings. The shade by these obstacles would move as the day progresses, so on a sunny day check in every now and then to see how much this is impacting your roof to get an idea of how much direct sunlight you could benefit from.
Do I need planning permission for my solar install?
As a Solar PV install is a ‘permitted development’, you would not require planning permission. However, it’s always worth double checking with your local planning office, especially if you live in a listed building or conservation area for example. Click here to find your Local Planning Authority.
A domestic install would need to be registered with your Distribution Network Operator, either before or after install depending on the size of your system, but as your installer we would do this for you. You can learn more about the DNO application in our update here.
Find out more about solar for your home
Simply give us a call on 01280 830135 or drop us an email at solar@tselectrical.info to discuss your solar install in more detail.
Alternatively, click here to find out more about our Solar Services.
* Generating renewable electricity, Solar panels – https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/advice/solar-panels
