Generate your Own Electricity with Solar PV

Direct Gov Explains Solar PV;

Solar photovoltaic (PV) systems are often known as solar panels, and use energy from the sun to create electricity. PV requires only daylight, rather than direct sunlight, to generate electricity.

How does it work?
When light shines on a solar panel, it creates an electric field across layers of silicon in the cell, causing electricity to flow. The greater the intensity of the light, the greater the flow of electricity is. Power can be used straight away or linked back into the power grid.

What’s involved?
You can use PV systems for a building with a roof or wall that faces within 90 degrees of south, as long as no other buildings or large trees overshadow it. If the roof surface is in shadow for parts of the day, less electricity will be produced.
Solar panels are not light and the roof must be strong enough to take their weight, especially if the panels are placed on top of existing tiles.
Solar panels come in a variety of shapes and colours, including:
• grey 'solar tiles' that look like roof tiles
• transparent panels that you can use on conservatories or glass to provide shading as well as generate electricity

Planning permission
You may have to get planning permission to fit a PV system, especially in conservation areas or on listed buildings. Always check with your local authority about planning issues before you have a system installed. Obtaining planning permission after the system is in place can be difficult and expensive.

How much does it cost?
For the average domestic system, costs are around £5,000 to £8,000 per kilowatt (kW) including installation. Most domestic systems are between 1.5 and 3kW and can produce around half a domestic property’s electricity requirements.
Solar tiles cost more than conventional panels, and panels that are integrated into a roof are more expensive than those that sit on top. If you intend to have major roof repairs carried out, it may be worth considering PV tiles, as they can offset the cost of roof tiles.

Community Energy Grants

Not-for-profit groups can apply for grants of up to £1 million towards the cost of installing renewable energy systems for generating electricity. Technologies like biomass, solar panels and wind turbines are becoming increasingly popular. These effective alternatives to fossil fuels can help reduce carbon emissions and fuel bills.

The microgeneration grant

Grants for the installation of microgeneration technologies are available to public sector buildings (including schools, hospitals, housing associations and local authorities) and charities. The grants cover a proportion (up to 50 per cent) of the cost of installing the technologies, and you can claim up to £1 million per site.
Grants are provided by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS). They are delivered through the Building Research Establishment as part of the Low Carbon Buildings Programme Phase 2 (LCBP2).

Grant levels for the not-for-profit sector vary according to technology and are applied to total installation costs;Solar photovoltaics installations can claim back 50 per cent of the cost.