FAQ's

How much will I earn from Solar PV Panels?

A typical 4kW well-sited solar array pays around £680 and additionally saves you £500 a year on your electricity bill.

Are FIT/RHI applicable to businesses investing in solar energy?

The rates for businesses are the same, but vary according to system sizes.

What size Solar PV system do I need?

The average family home uses 6000kWh per annum and the optimum FIT rate using a 4kWp system covers around 32m2 of roof space or installation area.

How Much Electricity Will A Solar PV System Generate?

Generation is based on PV panel output and Inverter capacity. Panels range in kWp (kilowatt peak) output & performance dramatically, so it is important to design a system correctly and select the right panel type to maximize efficiency.

Using The Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) Calculation for Solar PV, a conservative estimate of electricity generated can be calculated.

The equation is: Irradiance x Shading Factor x System kWp x 0.8

NSEAS uses this SAP calculation and a professional site survey for every assessment and report. As a guide, the following web site can be used as a guide to calculate your own assessment: http://re.jrc.ec.europa.eu/pvgis/apps4/pvest.php.

What is the average cost of a Solar PV system?

For the average domestic system, costs can be around £6000- £10000 per kWp installed, with most domestic systems usually between 3 and 4 kWp.

What is the cost of a Solar Hot Water System?

The typical installation cost for a domestic system is £3,000 - £5,000.

Do I need Planning Permission?

Permitted Development Rights (PDR) for domestic microgeneration technologies introduced on 6th April 2008 have lifted the requirements for planning permission for most solar PV, Thermal & Heat Pump installations. Exclusions are properties in Conservation areas and listed buildings.

Do solar panels need sunshine?

Solar panels work from daylight, not sunshine or heat, so work effectively all year round during daylight hours.

The optimum conditions are actually a cold, cloudy day!

Depending on construction, photovoltaic panels can produce electricity from a range of frequencies of light, but usually cannot cover the entire solar range (specifically, ultraviolet, infrared and low or diffused light). Hence much of the incident sunlight energy is wasted by solar panels, and they can give far higher efficiencies if illuminated with monochromatic light.

Sunlight conversion rates (solar panel efficiencies) can vary from 5-18% in commercial production, typically lower than the efficiencies of their cells in isolation.

Solar Energy: Hot Water Systems

Is my existing boiler compatible?

Most conventional boilers & cylinder systems are compatible, but a combination boiler will not be.

What space will I need for a suitable boiler?

A solar thermal boiler should replace existing boilers in their own space, but if the new system is designed to run alongside your existing system, space to house the boiler will have to be considered.

What savings will be achieved?

Moderate savings between £50 & £90 per year can be achieved and you will save between 250kg and 500kg of CO2 per year against current non-renewable fuel systems.

When does the system work?

It’s an all year round working system dependant on light collected by panels and hot water is stored and used in the same way as conventional insulated hot water cylinders.

What roof space is required?

The average system requires 5m2. Panels may be fitted on an east to west plane, preferably south facing for optimum results.

Is my roof strong enough?

Most traditional roofs will be able to bear the weight of a solar panel system and fixing is generally carried out using roof battens and specially designed fixings which avoid disruption to tiles and flashings.

Is the angle of the roof pitch important?

Most systems work best at a 35 degree pitch, but there are systems available in the UK which perform extremely well on a vertical or horizontal plane.

What maintenance is required?

A better quality system, particularly the flat plate systems require very little maintenance. Specially treated glass can displace dirt and water. Better quality framework also helps to keep cleaning to a bare minimum. Technical maintenance is minimal if a quality-end system is used.

How big can a system be?

We can help in most domestic situations including the provision of a bespoke system for swimming pools. Commercial systems, including industrial unit provision are normally straightforward and can be designed and built on an increasing modular basis.

What VAT is paid on Renewable Energy Technologies?

Currently renewable technologies attract only 5% VAT if professionally installed.

Solar PV Systems

Do solar panels require direct sunlight to work?

The panels should face 90 degrees of south and be in an un-shaded location. Sunlight, even low quality light is required to generate electricity. Sun heat and intense shine are secondary considerations.

What are the alternatives to panels?

Solar Tiles are an alternate way of generating electricity. They cost more to buy, but can look aesthetically better than roof-mounted frames. It is worth considering Solar Tiles if the property roof tiles need replacement and the extra cost of Solar Tiles can be offset by this work.

What savings can be made to CO2?

A standard 2kW system can save around 1 tonne of CO2 per annum whilst generating 40%-50% of the properties electricity requirements.

What happens in a power cut?

As the system is grid connected, the system is automatically cut off if the grid feed fails.

What savings can be made to CO2?

A standard 2kW system can save around 1 tonne of CO2 per annum whilst generating 40%-50% of the properties electricity requirements.

What area size is required for optimum returns?

For the maximum domestic financial return advantage, a 4kWp system will take up around 30m2 of roof or ground space.

What happens to a PV system at night?

Electricity from a PV system can only be generated during day light hours. After this, the property is automatically fed from the national grid system.

How long does an installation take?

Most domestic installations up to a 4kW system take no more than 2 days. In addition, scaffolding may be erected one day before and one day after installation. Part of our service is to organise a schedule of work and programme the installation to minimise disruption to residential life or business.

Does the system have to be in one area?

Panels can be split over different roof elevations or ground areas to achieve optimum results.

Is the electricity produced compatible with grid generated electricity? And is it Safe?

All systems recommended and installation standards meet with the MCS. Direct Current electricity is generated by systems and converted by an inverter into 240v AC (Alternating Current) electricity, which is standard. It is critical to appoint a qualified electrician with MCS accreditation and this is required under the FIT scheme.