Solar and PV
> Solar Thermal
Solar panels are a popular way to invest in your home and your energy future - reducing your carbon footprint and dependence on traditional energy. With current interest rates and unstable utility energy prices, micro generation and installing solar panels in particular, currently represent one of the best investments, increasing your properties value and reducing your energy bills.
A quality solar water heating system will provide up to 70% of your home’s annual hot water, reducing your energy bills and CO2 emissions and your families’ carbon footprint for 25-30 years. The service offers:
~ High performance Evacuated Tube Collectors
~ Available in range of sizes
~ Can be free-standing or on a pitched roof
~ Solar Key marked and EN12975 Certified
~ Heat pipe design – offer low maintenance
~ Will produce hot water even in cloudy conditions
Solar Collectors work by converting sunlight into hot water. Each collector is made up of a number of evacuated tubes with a selective absorbent coating and copper heat pipe. Light enters the tube and the coating converts it to heat, this in turn s transmitted to the heat-pipe, the vacuum in the tubes prevents this heat being re-emitted to the atmosphere, meaning that the collectors will work in cold outside temperatures. Each tube with its heat-pipe is connected to a manifold through which fluid is pumped and warmed by the tips on the heat-pipes, the heated fluid is contained within a sealed circuit that connects to a dedicated solar coil on your cylinder.
In order to use a thermal solar collector to assist heating your hot water you will need: • Ideally a southern facing un-shaded roof space to mount the collectors
• A cylinder with a second solar coil fitted
• A dedicated pump unit and electrical controller
• Space to mount an expansion vessel
The Panels work just like your existing heat source, except they are powered by free, clean solar energy rather than an expensive, dirty, carbon fuel. The Solar System is your primary heat source. Your boiler, stove or immersion heater will automatically raise the water temperature if required. Even when solar energy levels are low the system will add some heat to the water, so your existing heat source will do far less work. The system comprises of four main components: Solar Panels, Digital Controller, Circulation Module and a Hot Water Cylinder.
The Digital Controller
The Digital Controller is the digital heart of the system. It uses sensors to compare water in the panel with that in the cylinder. When the panel is 3°C warmer than the cylinder, the solar pump switches on and the water circulates through transferring heat to the cylinder. If the temperature difference is below 3°C the pump turns off to stop the water in the cylinder being cooled.
What about the Cost and Payback?Each Installation is different and costs will vary, but you should budget an installation cost of around £3000 - £4000 depending on the size of the property, and whether a cylinder change is required. With regard to payback this again will depend on your property size, what type of fuel you are using and how effective your existing boiler is. A typical payback period at today’s energy prices with a modern condensing boiler on mains gas would be under 8 years, and of course if energy prices increase even by a small amount this figure will reduce further.
As a further incentive a fully fitted UK Solar System is normally subject to only 5% VAT (standard rate 15%). Every system is individual and will be designed on house size, occupancy and roof orientation. We can link solar hot water systems to work in conjunction with your existing boiler, wood burners, heat pumps or electrical immersion heaters. We can even connect them up to assist your central heating system. They can even be used for example to heat swimming pools or garden hot tubs!
The various options that we are able to offer are:~ Heat pipe solar collectors
~ Direct heat solar collectors
~ Flat panel solar collectors
When a survey is conducted we will discuss the options available and advise you as to which system would be most suitable for your application.
> Solar PV
Solar electricity systems capture the sun's energy using photovoltaic (PV) cells. The cells convert the sunlight into electricity, which can be used to run household appliances and lighting. PV cells don't need direct sunlight to work - you can still generate some electricity on a cloudy day.
Cutting Your Carbon Footprint
Solar electricity is green, renewable energy and doesn't release any harmful carbon dioxide or other pollutants. A typical home PV system could save around 1200 kg of carbon dioxide per year - that's around 30 tonnes over its lifetime.
Cut Your Electricity Bills
Sunlight is free, so once you've paid for the initial installation your electricity costs will be greatly reduced. A typical home PV system can produce around 40% of the electricity a household uses in a year. Store Electricity For A Cloudy Day If your home isn't connected to the national grid you can store excess electricity in batteries to use when you need it.
Sell Your Electricity Back To The Grid
If your system is producing more electricity than you need, or when you can't use it, someone else can use it - and you could make a bit of money. An average 3 bed home could earn £25,000 over 25 years.
Clean Energy Cashback
Feed In Tariffs (FITs) was introduced to Great Britain on 1st April 2010. The scheme requires energy suppliers to make regular payments to householders and communities who generate their own electricity from renewable or low carbon sources such as solar electricity (PV) panels or wind turbines. The scheme guarantees a minimum payment for all electricity generated by the system, as well as a separate payment for the electricity exported to grid. These payments are in addition to the bill savings made by using the electricity generated on-site.
You will qualify for the full FIT payments if: The technology was installed between 15th July 2009 and 31st March 2010; OR It is installed on or after 1st April 2010 using an MCS certificated product and by an MCS* certificated installer;
* The Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) is an independent scheme that certificates microgeneration products under 50kW and installers in accordance with consistent standards. Barry Frampton Limited are MCS Registered. If you are eligible to receive the FIT then you will benefit in 3 ways:
1. Generation tariff – a set rate paid by the energy supplier for each unit (or kWh) of electricity you generate. This rate will change each year for new entrants to the scheme (except for the first 2 years), but once you join you will continue on the same tariff for 20 years, or 25 years in the case of solar electricity (PV).
2. Export tariff - you will receive a further 3p/ kWh from your energy supplier for each unit you export back to the electricity grid, that is when it isn’t used on site. The export rate is the same for all technologies.
3. Energy bill savings – you will be making savings on your electricity bills , because generating electricity to power your appliances means you don’t have to buy as much electricity from your energy supplier. The amount you save will vary depending how much of the electricity you use on site.
How Much Can I Earn?
As an example, a typical domestic solar electricity system, with a rated size of 2 kWp could earn around:
• £900 per year from the Generation Tariff
• £25 per year from the Export Tariff
• £140 p/year reduction in current electricity bills.
This gives a total saving of around £1065 per year. This assumes 50% of the electricity generated is exported, this figure will vary.
How To Take Part
You will require an additional electricity meter to measure the electricity that your system is generating, and also to measure how much is being fed back into the electricity grid. Once you have installed your generating technology you must inform your chosen energy supplier that you are eligible to receive the FIT. The supplier will then register your installation onto the Central FIT Register, which is administered by Ofgem. Payments will be made by your energy supplier at intervals to be decided between you and your supplier. You may be required to provide meter readings to the suppliers if requested. Tariff Levels For Technologies Installed Between 15th July 2009 and 31st March 2012.
| Technology | Scale | Tariff (p/kWh) | Tariff (years) |
|---|---|---|---|
| PV | =4KW (retro fit) | 41.3 | 25 |
| PV | =4KW (new build) | 36.1 | 25 |
Tariff levels vary depending on the scale of the installation. The tariff levels shown in the table above apply to installations completed from 15th July 2009 to 31st March 2012 for the lifetime of the tariff. After this date, the rates decrease each year for new entrants into the scheme.
Don't Forget Energy Efficiency
Before you invest in renewable or low carbon energy systems you should always make sure you house is as energy efficient as possible, so that the energy you generate is not wasted. You should ensure you have carried out the following measures:
• Ensure you have adequate loft and cavity wall insulation.
• Check you have installed heating controls
• Replace all old bulbs with low energy lighting
• Always buy Energy Saving Recommended rated appliances
These simple measures will help lower your energy bills, and ensure that the energy you generate is used as effectively as possible. Once your system is installed you should review the way you use energy in the home so you can make the most of the energy you generate. For example, solar electricity panels only generate electricity during the daylight hours, so it’s a good idea to use the washing machine and dishwasher during the day, rather than at night time. This means you can minimise the amount of electricity you have to buy from your supplier. Maintenance is generally small - you'll need to keep the panels relatively clean and make sure trees don't begin to overshadow them.
The Energy Saving Trust
Says costs for installing a solar electricity system vary a lot - an average system costs between £8,000 and £14,000, depending on its size and type. Savings can be considerable - almost 1 tonne of CO2 a year, and around £200 off your electricity bill. A 2 kWp system could provide around 40% of a household's yearly electricity needs. For more information visit www.energysavingtrust.org.uk
Daily Telegraph Article
Tuesday, February 2, 2010"Families can earn £900 a year by installing solar panels on their roofs as part of a new Government scheme to pay people to generate their own electricity”
Ed Miliband, the Energy and Climate Change Secretary, said he expected that one in 10 homes will have installed renewable power on their homes in the next decade. He pointed out that the payments would be tax-free and a return of up to 9 per cent annually was better than any bank could provide.
The deal, called feed-in tariffs, will ensure that any households or building that invest in installing renewable electricity, should be paid a good rate of return. The panels cannot provide a home’s entire energy needs as they only work in daylight when they are generating electricity, any surplus goes straight into the national grid. Mr Miliband said he expected the number of people with solar panels alone to increase from 10,000 today to 700,000 by 2020.
“The guarantee of getting an income on top of saving on energy bills will be an incentive to householders and communities wanting to make the move to low carbon living," he said.
“The feed-in tariff will change the way householders and communities think about their future energy needs, making the payback for investment far shorter than in the past.
Installing solar panels, which cover a space of around 10ft x 10ft on an average sized roof, will cost around £12,500 but this will be paid back in10 years because the households will be paid £900 per annum, plus making £140 savings on the yearly electricity bill.”
> Solar News
Sunny Boy inverters 1200 and 1700 are used in the most diverse AC grids thanks to their galvanic isolation. In addition, the devices are suitable for the simple grounding of the generator. Their integrated ESS DC load-disconnecting unit simplifies installation and reduces its cost at the same time. Equipped with the OptiTrac MPP tracking process, it will always find the optimal working point, even under dynamic weather conditions.
Solar panels are a popular way to invest in your home and your energy future - reducing your carbon footprint and dependence on traditional energy. With current interest rates and unstable utility energy prices, micro generation and installing solar panels in particular, currently represent one of the best investments, increasing your properties value and reducing your energy bills. Read more by clicking on the PDF above.
BP Solar has been manufacturing solar wafers, cells and modules for more than 35 years. This experience shows that the best way to optimize module life and electrical energy production is to attend to every detail in the design and manufacture of our products, our process controls and testing methods. BP Solar’s latest generation of 72 cell, Monocrystalline T Series solar modules offers many benefits. Read more by clicking on the PDF above.
Features and benefits include:
• High performance evacuated tube collectors
• Available in 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 tube panels
• Can be mounted free-standing or on a pitched roof
• Solar key marked and EN12975-2 certified
• Heat pipes offer low maintenance
• Easy to install, easy roof fixings
• 10 years warranty, 20+ year lifespan
The SANYO HIT (Heterojunction with Intrinsic Thin layer) solar cell is made of a thin mono crystalline silicon wafer surrounded by ultra-thin amorphous silicon layers. This product provides the industry‘s leading performance and value using state - of-the -art manufacturing techniques. Read more by clicking on the PDF above.
The long-established German company SCHOOT Solar operates worldwide and started with the development and manufacturing of components for the solar industry in 1958. SCHOTT Solar polycrystalline modules are specifically designed for both roof- and ground-mounted applications. Due to strict internal quality standards, all modules benefit from exceptionally long durability, which results in maximised profitability.
In February 2010, the Government published a consultation document setting out its proposals for the design and operation of the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI). Read more by clicking on the PDF above.
StecaGrid 300 UK and StecaGrid 500 UK are built in a modular manner, and simple to install. With distribution over three phases, the system can at any time be expanded as desired, and thus flexibly adapts to your solar power system investment. StecaGrid 300 UK and StecaGrid 500 UK have an independent MPP tracker and achieve a very high efficiency of up to 95.8 %.
Solar Thermal Schematic
