A. Choosing Your Installer
How do I choose the best Company to install my system?
When choosing your preferred installer, you should choose a company
who are registered with the REAL Assurance Scheme and comply with
the consumer code of practice which is as follows:
The Company and its representatives/consultants
- Will not stay in your home longer than two hours
- Will not offer you a high initial price followed by discount
- Will not offer you discount for signing a contract on the day
- Will not offer you a discount for monitoring performances or providing testimonials
- Will not withhold price information until the end of the visit or ask what other quotations you have already received
- Will not claim that there is limited availability of the product
The full code of practice can be found at:
http://www.realassurance.org.uk/pdf/consumer-guide.pdf
Members of REAL can be found at:
http://www.realassurance.org.uk/scheme/members
B. General
Do the panels only generate electricity from direct sunlight?
Solar PV works from daylight and not direct sunlight, but more power
is produced on a sunny day as opposed to an overcast or cloudy one.
The more hours there are in a day the more energy the system can
produce, such as in northern areas of the UK.
How does shade affect a solar PV system?
Shading can have a very big affect on a solar PV system. Partial
shading can also cause significant loss of energy because the panels
are connected in line with each other. The panel with the lowest
illumination determines the output of the whole system. However if
shading is a problem on part of the installation, we can install the
system on two strings, so that the shaded panel does not affect the
unshaded panels. This would be discussed on site and again at our
survey.
What happens if there is a power cut?
If there is a power cut, the system automatically switches off as a
safety measure, to ensure power does not leak onto the mains, which
could harm personnel working to restore the power supply.
What happens at night?
PV panels do not produce energy in the dark, so electricity is drawn
from the grid in the normal way.
C. Installation
Is Planning Permission required?
Roof mounted solar PV systems fall under Permitted Development
Rights, so as long as the system is not installed more than 200mm
(8”) from the roof and does not protrude higher than the ridge,
Planning Permission is not required. However, if the building is
listed, in a conservation area or in a World Heritage Site then
Planning Permission will be required.
Is a Building Warrant required?
With the exception of Fife council, a Building Warrant is not
required. However for peace of mind, we will send your local
authority a letter of comfort to let them know we intend to install
a PV system on your property.
Will my roof be strong enough to hold the extra weight from the
system?
Most roofs are strong enough to support a PV installation without
reinforcement. Our technical surveyor will raise any concerns with
you if they arise at survey.
Do I need to inform the electricity supplier?
For systems less than 4kw peak power we will inform your electricity
supplier once your installation is complete and send the application
forms to them to connect you to the national grid. For larger
systems, permission will need to be gained in advance from the
Distribution Network Operator.
How much roof space do I need?
Our systems start at 0.94kW, (4 x 235w polycrystalline modules) and
will use up approximately 6.83m2
How long will the installation take?
Installation will take from 2 to 3 days.
What are the optimum conditions for a solar PV system?
Panels can be installed at different angles on west or east facing
roofs. However they work best when installed at an angle of 30o to
44o from horizontal, on a south-facing roof. A site survey will
determine the best option for your property.
Can anyone buy and install a PV system?
PV systems are available from specialist distributors, electrical
wholesalers and renewable merchants and must be installed by an MCS
accredited installer. If the system is not installed by an MCS
accredited installer, it will not be covered by a warranty or be
eligible for the Feed-In Tariff.
What is MCS?
Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) is an internationally
recognized assurance scheme designed to protect the consumers. The
scheme regulates all solar PV products, installations and services.
Does the system need batteries?
Solar PV systems are designed to be connected to the grid and do not
require batteries. Excess electricity generated during the day is
fed back to the National Grid.
D. Guarantee
What Guarantee comes with my installation?
- 25 Year Guarantee on the Performance
- 10 Year Guarantee on the Panel
- 10 Year Guarantee on the Inverter
- 10 Year Guarantee on the workmanship
- 2 Year Guarantee on the elevation of the system against water ingress
E. Maintenance
Do the panels need cleaning?
If the panels are installed at an angle of more than 15o then rain
should be sufficient to clean the panels. In areas of heavy
pollution or when soiled with organic material, a power reduction of
about 10% can be experienced.
How long do the panels last?
Our Schott PV panels come with a 10 year product warranty but can be
expected to last for up to 40 years. They come with a 90%
performance warranty for 12 years and this output is guaranteed not
to drop below 80% over 25 years.
Do any of the parts need servicing?
There are no moving parts in a solar PV system so regular cleaning
or lubrication is not required. The inverter is an electronic device
and may not last the life of the system. You should anticipate
having to replace the inverter at least once during this time. The
Kaco inverter we install has a 10 year warranty.
F. Costs & Benefits
How much does it cost?
The total installed cost depends on the size or peak power of the
system and ease of installation. Our Solar PV systems start from
£6,418 fully fitted and including VAT at 5%.
Is VAT included in the price?
VAT is included in the price however it is currently only charged at
5% for the installation of renewable energy products.
How much energy will a system generate?
There are 5 main factors, which affect how much energy a PV system will generate:
- Total peak power size of the solar PV system
- Latitude and location
- Direction the panel faces
- Angle the panels are mounted at
- Any shading factors
What is the Feed-in Tariff and how does it work?
It is a financial incentive backed by the government and funded by
your energy supplier, to encourage people to create their own
renewable electricity. Every unit of electricity generated earns a
fixed amount of 43.3p/kWh and additionally any electricity not
consumed in the property can be sold back to the grid for 3.1p/kWh.
These figures are indexed linked to inflation and adjusted each year
which means if you install your system at 43.3p/kWh it will increase
each year, and never decrease!
Will the system be eligible for the Feed-in Tariff?
All solar PV components fitted & installed by Sidey are MCS
certified. This means you will be able to claim the Feed-in Tariff
which we will apply for you.
What is the payback period?
If inflation stays the same and electricity prices stay the same
then an average PV system will pay for its self within 10 years. If
electricity prices rise, which they have done for the past 40 years,
then the pay back time will reduce as your savings should be
relatively greater.
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