Photovoltaic solar panels
Instead of paying energy suppliers ever-increasing prices for your home’s electricity, how about turning the tables and getting them to pay you for electricity you have generated? Solar photovoltaic (PV) panels will do just that for you. PV panels convert sunlight into electricity which is directly fed into your property’s electricity supply. Your system will always use the electricity you have generated first and will export any of the excess energy to your energy supplier. Your energy supplier will pay you for this energy according to a Government set ‘Feed-in Tariff.’ PV panels have a host of benefits besides the obvious ones of income generation and being an environmentally-friendly option: |
- Lowers your carbon footprint
- Adds to the overall value of your property
- Earns you a tax-free income
- Installed within one to two days
- Durable, long lasting system
- Safeguards against rising fuel costs
- Five to eight per cent return on investment
- Performs well in the British climate
- Easy maintenance
Want to know more about solar photovoltaic (PV) panels? Download PDF here or visit our solar PV micro site. |
Feed-in TariffThe Government launched its feed-in tariff on April 1 2010. Under this scheme energy suppliers must pay householders and communities who generate their own electricity using renewable technologies, such as PV panels. The Feed-in Tariff works in two ways:
And don’t forget, you will be making savings on your electricity bills, because generating electricity to power your appliances means you don’t have to buy as much electricity from your energy supplier. The amount you save will vary depending how much of the electricity you use on site. |
Tariff levels, for technologies installed between July 15 2009 and March 31 2011:
Tariff (set until March 2012) |
Generation tariff (per kWh) |
Export tariff (per kWh) |
Up to 4kW new build |
37.8p |
3.1p |
Up to 4kW retrofit |
43.3p |
3.1p |
4-10kW |
37.8p |
3.1p |
10-50kW |
32.9p |
3.1p |
Over 50-15kW |
19p |
3.1p |
These rates are set until March 31 2011, when they will be reduced for new entrants to the scheme. Early adopters of this scheme, therefore, benefit most. Until March 31 2011 you will receive payment of 41.3p per unit (kw/h) for a system up to 4kW in size installed on an exisiting property. The Government’s Feed in Tariff is guaranteed for 25 years from the point of installation meaning you are guaranteed an income from your system until 2036, if you signed up today. Our team of field-based surveyors are fully trained, experienced experts in renewable technologies and offer free home visits to view your property and advise on its suitability for renewable technologies. They will be able to answer all your questions and discuss any requirements you may have. |