Photovoltaic
Photovoltaic (pv) or solar electric cells generate electricity from sunlight a technology first developed and used by the early space missions.
They are far less efficient than solar hot water panels, but are becoming more widely used as grants for them can be for 50% just from the Low Carbon Building Programme. Their price has started to come down, and production levels are rising as Governments push for alternaive energy sources.
They can be most cost effective when you are in a new build situation or are replacing a roof as they can come as solar tiles and the costs of installation and savings on the original roof covering assist. So if you are in need of a new roof consider a solar electric one.
In more recent years in the UK, PV has become more widely used in urban areas, where it can be integrated into new buildings or mounted onto existing buildings. This is a rapidly growing market in the UK and throughout Europe. PV technology is ideally suited to the urban environment, providing pollution and noise free electricity without using extra space
Photovoltaic systems can be grid connected, battery or hybrid depending on the needs and scale of the site. Photovoltaic cells generate DC electricity and so an inverter will be needed to link it into your domestic supply or feed into the grid.
Output is measured in Wp (peak Watts)i.e. a 100Wp panel will produce a maximum of 100W in peak conditions (1kW/m2 solar irradiation) - this is equivalent to a bright sunny midsummer day in the UK. Assumptions are used to give annual outputs and figures of 4-5hours Wp insummer and 1 hour in winter.There are 4 main types of panel available but
typically a 1kWp array will produce 750kWh/year. Whilst more expensive than other energy sources at present they are long lasting and virtually maintenance free.
Solar Ray Ltd deals with a range of systems from a number of different suppliers - everything from single panel systems for canal boat owners, to fully grid connected solar roofs systems on commercial buidings.Please contact us for further details.
|