Solar Photovoltaic (PV)

5 June 2019

You can use Solar Panels to generate green electricity from sunlight. Over 900,000 homes across the country already benefit from clean, affordable solar power.

A Solar Photovoltaic (Solar PV) module absorbs and converts sunlight into electricity. They don’t need direct sunlight to work – they can still generate some electricity on a cloudy day.

Solar PV modules are supplied as a sealed unit with a specific voltage and wattage rating. In order to provide electricity for a building Solar PV modules have to be combined in a system with other components (including an inverter, wiring and roof mounting kit).
PV cells come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Most PV systems are made up of panels that fit on top of an existing roof, but you can also fit solar tiles.

You don’t need planning permission to install solar unless you live in a listed building. However, in Conservation Areas or World Heritage sites, the equipment must be installed on the roof, not on a wall that would be visible from a highway.
Increasingly, consumers are choosing to complement their Solar installation with battery storage as it can improve the performance by capturing surplus electricity and saving it, so it can be used later.

The benefits of installing Solar PV:

  • Reduce your electricity bills
  • You could earn money on the electricity that you produce by selling excess energy back to the grid using the Smart Export Guarantee.
  • Store excess electricity
  • Cut your carbon footprint
  • Low maintenance
  • Invest in the future and reduce your reliance on the National Grid

Maintaining a Solar PV system
Solar PV systems don’t require much maintenance – you’ll just need to keep the panels relatively clean and make sure trees don’t begin to overshadow them.

Once fitted, your MCS certified Installer will leave written details of any maintenance checks that you should carry out from time to time to ensure everything is working properly. This should include details of the main inverter fault signals and key trouble-shooting guidance.

The panels should last 25 years or more, but the inverter is likely to need replacing some time during this period, at a cost of about £800.

I’m interested in installing Solar PV, what should I do next?
Search for an MCS certified Installer using our directory of approved installers.

MCS is a mark of quality. Using an MCS certified installer ensures that equipment meets good standards of performance and that installers are technically safe and competent.

Make a decision based on three quotes. Trust your instincts and go with a good value quote with an installer you feel you can trust. Before you sign any contract you should have received a performance assessment specific to your property.

Useful links
Here are some great information sources and resources if you would like to find out more about Solar PV:
Solar Trade Association
Energy Saving Trust