In this article we’ll be explaining on how the Solar PV can be beneficial to you and your home.
Solar panels are a great way to offset energy costs, reduce the environmental impact of your home and provide a host of other benefits, such as supporting local businesses and contributing to energy independence. Having in mind that all of our planet resources are getting used up, now it’s the perfect time to upgrade to Solar PV for your home, before the prices will go up.
You can find a lot of information in regards to upgrading to Solar PV on our website at www.alkagelectrical.co.uk. Also big bosses are talking about getting rid of petrol and diesel cars for good, we think it won’t be long till it happens, this is why we already installed thousands of pod point electric car charging points across the Nation.
How it works
Solar Photovoltaic (PV) panels store energy from the sun and turn it into electricity. You don’t need to live somewhere warm and sunny for solar panels to generate electricity; solar needs only daylight, not heat or sunlight. In the same way that a solar-powered calculator still works on cloudy days, so do solar panels. Many houses can accommodate the panels, in a range of styles and sizes. Those who can benefit most will have a large, unshaded south-facing roof, using most energy during daylight hours. The Department of Energy and Climate Change says there are now more than 500,000 solar panel systems installed across the country. Traditional panels are blue and shiny with silver frames and sit protruding from the roof.
Set-up costs
Upfront costs are the greatest concern to homeowners. According to the Energy Saving Trust (EST), the average cost of a solar panel system for a domestic property in the UK comes to between £6,000 and £8,000. However, millions of households face paying more for solar panels and home insulation after an EU ruling that could force VAT charges to increase. They are currently at 5%, which is a specially reduced rate. A VAT hike would add hundreds of pounds to the cost of installing home rooftop solar panels – as well as insulation measures – despite the fact the EU has imposed renewable energy targets on the UK and wants the UK to improve its energy efficiency.
David Weatherall, at the EST says: “This a huge backwards step and we have fully supported the UK’s fight to maintain a low rate of VAT on energy saving products. Cold homes is no niche issue. It is a widespread problem. Our research shows that nearly 40% of households are not warm enough in winter. At the same time the UK is going through a solar revolution with millions of homeowners taking advantage of green energy but an increase in VAT could bring our progress in this area to a grinding halt.
How much you could make
While there is a significant outlay, the figures on how much you can save by generating your own electricity are worth considering. The panels will generate a tax-free income via the government’s Feed-in-Tariff (FiT). These tariffs, introduced to replace government grants in 2010, are guaranteed for a 25-year period and are tax-free. They determine the major part of the return people can get from solar panels, paying them for every kilowatt of energy they produce. Households also make a saving by not having to buy energy from a supplier.
However, when the scheme first started the FIT was a generous 43p per unit; now it has come down to around 12p to 13p per unit – that’s just for the amount generated, whether the panel owner uses it or not. This is due to fall again later this year. Once you are receiving FIT payments, the rate you get will increase in line with inflation in accordance with the Retail Price Index (RPI) – but payments will also drop when inflation falls.
The EST estimates that the typical household using a solar electricity system could earn £1,060 a year from the generation tariff. However, this can vary, so it is important to check your household’s energy usage before you sign up so that you can do a more realistic estimate. How much each household is paid depends on how many solar panels a roof can take. The EST has an online calculator that allows you to estimate the profit you can make from installing solar panels – and how long it will take to earn you money. Visit energysavingtrust.org. The government’s Green Deal is a way to pay for energy-saving home improvements. Its finance plan allows eligible homeowners to repay the balance through the savings they make on their electricity.
Free installation deals
Many companies are offering customers who cannot afford the upfront cost of a solar panel system the option to have panels installed free in return for ‘renting’ out their roof. Companies such as Sainsbury’s and British Gas will lease your roof for 25 years and in exchange install and maintain the solar panels on it. In theory this is appealing because you won’t need to find any cash up front.
But this means you won’t be eligible for the feed-in-tariff and instead, the installation company will take it, so the saving will be solely be on your energy bills.
So here it is, the top 4 benefits of installing Solar Energy for your home.
1. Impact on the Environment
Solar energy has the least negative impact on the environment compared to any other energy source. It does not produce greenhouse gases and does not pollute the water. It also requires very little water for its maintenance, unlike nuclear power plants for example, needing 20 times more water. Solar energy production does not create any noise, which is major benefit, since a lot of solar installations are in urban areas.
2. Reduce Your Energy Bill
Generating your own electricity means that you will be using less from the utility supplier. This will immediately translate to savings on your energy bill. Plus, you can also make money by selling the unused electricity, which you have generated, back to the grid. The more energy you produce, the less you will need from the supplier which will increase your energy self-reliance.
3. Energy Production Matches the Time Frame of Higher Demand
Energy needs tend to be higher in the 11:00-16:00 time frame and then early in the evening. Naturally, this is the period when the price of the electricity peaks. Solar energy happens to reach its maximum production capacity during those hours. Electricity produced at that time has higher value than if it was generated at night. With the additional electricity input of solar energy, prices in those time frames could be driven down to a level close to those of night hours.
4. Solar Energy Is Applicable Everywhere
As long as there is sunshine, solar energy can be deployed anywhere. This is particularly useful for remote regions with no access to any other source of electricity. There is a vast amount of people around the world with no access to electricity. Independent solar systems could be deployed in those regions and improve the lives of millions of people. Moreover, solar energy is also used to power up spacecraft’s and boats.
If you would like to find out more or have decided to install a Solar PV, make sure to visit www.alkagelectrical.co.uk, we can supply, install and explain every step of the way for a very affordable price.
