How Does It Work?
PV or Solar power works by collecting the suns rays on solar panels or tiles made of silicon. These solar panels react to the sunlight and create and electrical charge which is fed into your site via an inverter.
Solar PV panels can be connected to your home either directly into the national grid, or as an independent remote power source (usually connected to batteries).
PV is the technical name for solar power and stands for Photovoltaic.
Main Benefits
• Pure green solar electricity for your home or other use
• You can sell back your excess solar PV electricity to the national grid
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If you use battery storage you can have a useful source of back up solar power if the grid is unreliable where you are
Typical Costs and Payback
Solar power or PV is quite expensive, but there are grants available. The main cost factor is the availability of silicon, which is in huge demand world wide and it is hard to predict when prices will drop lower than current levels.
Typical costs are between £6,500 to £7,000 per kilowatt installed. As a very rough guide most 2 to 3 bedroom houses require a Solar PV system of around 2 to 2.5 kw in size to supply their electricity needs. Payback from a Solar PV system of this size can range from 15 - 20 years depending on your energy use.
Sizing a Solar PV Power System
You can either work out your energy use and size it to match or size it to your roof space or budget.
For offgrid solar PV systems you will need to make a list of all your appliances and their wattage, plus the hours you use them on the average day. The worst case scenario is called a peak load. It is essential you do this for an off-grid system.
For Grid connected solar PV systems, you will be able to use grid power when you don't produce solar power, and also sell your excess back to the grid whe you don't need it.
When you have worked out your energy load, call us and we can discuss your options and costings for solar PV power.
Specific Off Grid Applications:
Solar Powered Lighting for outbuildings / barns / sheds
Systems can be sized to run small off-grid applications, especially useful for rural locations such as farms. See our Energy for Farms page.
Solar powered electric fencing / security systems / electric gates
Similar to the section above, thse can be sized to each application off grid with batteries. See our Energy for Farms Page
Solar and Wind Powered Pumps
One of the most practical and best paybacks there is, ideal for irrigation or water sources in remote locations off grid a big money saver. See our solar and wind powered pumps pages.
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Support
Freesource energy strongly advise you read our More Ideas section and discuss your energy use with your family or other energy users on site before you go much further. It is essential you adopt energy saving techniques and measures to reduce your electricity use before you size your solar PV system. You should also consider your future plans for the site and how much energy they will require.
Solar Power PV systems are covered by a 1 year installers guarantee and warranties on most products from 5 years.
Our installers will help you size your solar PV system to your energy needs.
Our installers are Clearskies accredited with the DTI Low Carbon Buildings grants scheme
Next Steps
Please do not underestimate the energy saving advice above, Freesource believes Solar PV can be an excellent renewable power source provided careful thought is taken in sizing the system to your behaviour.
Read our fact sheet for advice and further information and then call us on 0800 619 1262 or write via our Contact page and arrange a Solar PV Site Survey.
What Is Involved in a Site Survey?
It is not a selling exercise, it is a technical site visit designed to give you an accurate quote. See our renewable energy site survey pages for more information.
- We measure your cable length, roof and loft space, check your fuseboard and electrical connections.
- It is useful to have your electricity bills for the past year on hand.
- Check the orientation of your roof and suitability for solar PV panel installation.
- Explain how the system could work in your home and a guideline cost
- It can take as little as 30minutes depending on how many questions you have.
After the solar PV survey we will send you a quote for supply and installation by letter.
Fact Sheet
 Clicking here for our Solar PV factsheet
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