Photovoltaic (PV) Systems
Photovoltaic systems, more commonly known as PV, are the
installation required to produce electricity from use of the sun rays. Solar PV panels are either monocrystalline or polycrystalline cells. Once sited, the energy the cells produce from the sunlight is DC current. Therefore an inverter is required to transfer the elecricity to usable AC current. A meter is installed, as energy that is not used by your own appliances can be sold back to your energy supplier IN ADDITION to claiming the new feed-in tariffs (FITs). The FITs payments from the 1st April 2011 vary between 43.3p per Kwh for retro fit under 4kw, or 37.8p per kw for new build properties, payable for 25 years. These figures are index linked. Any system from 4-10kw will be eligible to claim 37.8p per kw, and from 10-100kw can claim 32.9p per kw. Over 100kw to 50Mw can claim 30.7p per kw.
An alternative is to have an off-grid system, which works in a similar way, but the energy
produced is stored in batteries for use when required. This is ideal in rural locations or where there is no direct connection to an electricity suppllier. FITs are also available for these types of systems, but at a lower rate paid per Kw than grid connected systems at 30.7p per kw regardless of its size.
Now these incentives are in place there has never been a better time to earn money to contribute towards the cost of your system. Due to this Clean Energy Cashback scheme, grants are no longer available as a lump sum to assist you with costs of the installation.