Photovoltaic cells can be used to provide your home or business with solar electric power. The sun’s energy is harnessed and turned into electricity which can then be used within the building to provide power for appliances and lighting. Solar electric power is an ideal way of utilising a renewable energy source and minimising your use of other, less environmentally friendly fuels.
Most buildings are suitable for solar electric power providing 10m² to 15 m² of the roof faces southeast to southwest and is not overshadowed by trees or other obstructions. The photovoltaic tiles are available in a variety of styles from those which blend in with existing roof tiles to transparent cells which can be used on conservatories or glass to provide shading as well as generate power.
The cost of solar electric power ranges from approximately £8,000 to £20,000 for typical domestic use but the power harnessed could cover all of your annual electricity consumption. In addition any excess power can be sold to the national grid. Connection of your solar electric power system to the national grid also has the advantage of requiring negligible maintenance. Simply ensuring that panels are kept clean should be sufficient. Solar electric power systems not connected to the national grid will require additional maintenance on other system components such as batteries. Planning permission is not usually needed in England and Wales (the law is under review in the rest of the UK) for the installation of solar panels; see our planning permission for Renewable Energy page for more information.
Low Carbon Building Programme homeowner grants are no longer available for solar electric power PV applications.
Source: www.est.org.uk 2010
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