Solar water heating systems

Tel: 08442 412 992
E-mail: info@eco-exmoor.co.uk
Saturday March 13th 2010

Eco-Exmoor strives to raise the profile of ecological products,
promote the conservation of resources
and implement the use of renewable energy.

PV Devon & Somerset

WHAT IS SOLAR PV?
Solar PV is a renewable energy system which uses photovoltaic modules on the roof of a building to convert light into electricity. Voltaic cells are made up of thin layers of semi-conducting material (usually crystalline silicon) which generate an electrical charge when exposed to direct light.

HOW DOES  SOLAR PV WORK?
A Solar PV module is made up of either monocrystalline or polycrystalline cells which consist of two or more thin layers of semi-conducting chemically treated silicon materials. The chemicals react when light hits the cell, creating an electric field across the layers, producing a direct current. The greater the light intensity, the greater the flow of electricity. This direct current (DC) is then fed into an inverter which changes it into a usable alternating current (AC).


WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SOLAR THERMAL AND PV?
As previously mentioned, Solar PV systems use energy from the sun to generate electricity with roof mounted modules. Solar Thermal employs roof mounted collectors to absorb energy from the sun. These collectors are usually connected to the lower coil of a twin-coil cylinder via a sealed circuit containing a special glycol/water solution. The pump in the system circulates the heated fluid from the collector to the cylinder, where the stored water is heated for use in the home.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE WEATHER IS CLOUDY OR COLD?
Solar PV uses light to generate electricity, so the modules still work when it is cloudy, although when it is overcast they are less efficient. When it is slightly overcast, the panels may produce as much as half the power they would in sunny conditions. When the sky is heavily overcast, this could reduce further. Temperature is less important than how much light there is. What’s more, a clear cold day is perfect, because PV modules operate better at cooler temperatures.

WHAT IS THE EXPECTED LIFESPAN OF GRANT SOLAR PV?
Solar PV modules should be expected to last at least 25 years, since there are no moving parts. The modules have a twenty-five year performance guarantee.

CAN I SELL THE ELECTRICITY I PRODUCE BACK TO THE ENERGY SUPPLIER?
Most electricity suppliers will pay for power fed into the Grid (feed-in) from domestic Solar PV systems. The easiest way to do this is by signing up to a ‘Buy Back’ or ‘Feed-in Tariff’ scheme with your power supplier. There are two main types of tariff available:
Generation: You are paid for all of the electricity that your solar PV system generates even if you consume it in your home.
Export: You are paid for just the electricity that is exported back to the Grid and not for any electricity you have consumed.


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‘The new Government Feed-in tariffs are here, so get ready to generate some additional income’

The Government’s new ‘Generation’ Feed-in Tariffs (FiT) are an incentive for people to switch to renewable technologies in the home, helping the UK to lessen its carbon footprint and meet the 2020 emissions target.

The scheme will pay you for every unit of electricity you generate with renewable technologies like Solar PV, whether it is used in the home or not (exported)


Due to start on 1st April 2010 and guaranteed for 25 years, this new scheme, results in a shorter payback for Solar PV systems, making them an extremely attractive green option for any home. Any Solar PV system installed after the 15th July 2009 is eligible for this Feed-in Tariff at the above rate, provided the system uses MCS approved equipment and has been fitted by an MCS accredited installer.  Looking more closely at this, when the capital cost of the system is paid for, everything you generate and receive as pay-back after, is income!

PV systems registering with the scheme from 1st April 2010 to 31st March 2011 will benefit as follows:
Any system up to 4kW on a new build                                             = 36.1p per kW pay-back
Any system up to 4kW on an existing property (retrofit)                  = 41.3p per kW pay-back
Any system 4-10kW new build or retrofitted                                    = 36.1p per kW pay-back
Any system 10-100kW new build or retrofitted                                 = 31.4p per kW pay-back



If you normally pay 12p per kWh for your electricity, you would effectively get both the power consumed for free and the FiT. So on a retrofit system up to 4kW this would mean 12p + 41.3p = 53.3p per kWh saving!


Suddenly Solar PV is an extremely lucrative venture…
A Solar PV system installed under the Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme is guaranteed for 25 years and the financial benefit is transferrable if you decide to sell your home.

To a potential buyer, a house which is generating its own power would be a very attractive proposition, just like having immunity to the OFGEM warning of a possible price increase of up to 25% for fossil fueled energy within the next ten years.


Solar Trade Association HETAS Renewable Energy Association Microgeneration Certification Scheme

At Eco-Exmoor we have experience of more than 6 years as independent installers of renewable energy systems and can offer you helpful and reliable advice and service before, during and after your installation.See what our customers in Devon & Somerset say.

Whether you are a homeowner, self-builder, architect/specifier or housing association/developer, Eco-Exmoor can take you through any or all of the stages of installing renewable energy heating systems. We are accredited to the appropriate professional bodies and approved installers for grant purposes. We also service and upgrade existing renewable heat installations.


Our customers across Devon & Somerset are currently reducing Carbon Emissions by almost 300 tonnes EVERY YEAR! Why not join them.


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We have over 250 Renewable Energy systems installed in and around: Parracombe;Lynton;Brendon;Porlock;Wivveliscombe;Taunton;Barnstaple;Bideford;Torrington;Crediton;Exeter;Oakhampton;South Molten;Shapwick;Hartland;Nether Stowey; Bridgewater;Bishops Lydiard;Milverton;Tiverton;Wellington;Combe Martin;Bradworthy;Othery;Ilfracombe;Bude;Totnes;Crediton and many more across Devon & West Somerset!


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