Yes. Earth is already showing many signs of worldwide climate change.

1. Average temperatures have climbed 1.4 degrees Fahrenheit (0.8 degree Celsius) around the world since 1880, much of this in recent decades, according to NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies.
2. The rate of warming is increasing. The 20th century’s last two decades were the hottest in 400 years and possibly the warmest for several millennia, according to a number of climate studies. And the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reports that 11 of the past 12 years are among the dozen warmest since 1850.
3. The Arctic is feeling the effects the most. Average temperatures in Alaska, western Canada, and eastern Russia have risen at twice the global average, according to the multinational Arctic Climate Impact Assessment report compiled between 2000 and 2004.
4. Arctic ice is rapidly disappearing, and the region may have its first completely ice-free summer by 2040 or earlier. Polar bears and indigenous cultures are already suffering from the sea-ice loss.
5. Glaciers and mountain snows are rapidly melting—for example, Montana’s Glacier National Park now has only 27 glaciers, versus 150 in 1910. In the Northern Hemisphere, thaws also come a week earlier in spring and freezes begin a week later.
6. Coral reefs, which are highly sensitive to small changes in water temperature, suffered the worst bleaching—or die-off in response to stress—ever recorded in 1998, with some areas seeing bleach rates of 70 percent. Experts expect these sorts of events to increase in frequency and intensity in the next 50 years as sea temperatures rise.
7. An upsurge in the amount of extreme weather events, such as wildfires, heat waves, and strong tropical storms, is also attributed in part to climate change by some experts.

The report, based on the work of some 2,500 scientists in more than 130 countries, concluded that humans have caused all or most of the current planetary warming. Human-caused global warming is often called anthropogenic climate change.

1. Industrialization, deforestation, and pollution have greatly increased atmospheric concentrations of water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide, all greenhouse gases that help trap heat near Earth’s surface. (See an interactive feature on how global warming works.)
2. Humans are pouring carbon dioxide into the atmosphere much faster than plants and oceans can absorb it.
3. These gases persist in the atmosphere for years, meaning that even if such emissions were eliminated today, it would not immediately stop global warming.
4. Some experts point out that natural cycles in Earth’s orbit can alter the planet’s exposure to sunlight, which may explain the current trend. Earth has indeed experienced warming and cooling cycles roughly every hundred thousand years due to these orbital shifts, but such changes have occurred over the span of several centuries. Today’s changes have taken place over the past hundred years or less.
5. Other recent research has suggested that the effects of variations in the sun’s output are “negligible” as a factor in warming, but other, more complicated solar mechanisms could possibly play a role.

What’s Going to Happen?

A follow-up report by the IPCC released in April 2007 warned that global warming could lead to large-scale food and water shortages and have catastrophic effects on wildlife.

1. Sea level could rise between 7 and 23 inches (18 to 59 centimeters) by century’s end, the IPCC’s February 2007 report projects. Rises of just 4 inches (10 centimeters) could flood many South Seas islands and swamp large parts of Southeast Asia.
2. Some hundred million people live within 3 feet (1 meter) of mean sea level, and much of the world’s population is concentrated in vulnerable coastal cities. In the U.S., Louisiana and Florida are especially at risk.
3. Glaciers around the world could melt, causing sea levels to rise while creating water shortages in regions dependent on runoff for fresh water.
4. Strong hurricanes, droughts, heat waves, wildfires, and other natural disasters may become commonplace in many parts of the world. The growth of deserts may also cause food shortages in many places.
5. More than a million species face extinction from disappearing habitat, changing ecosystems, and acidifying oceans.
6. The ocean’s circulation system, known as the ocean conveyor belt, could be permanently altered, causing a mini-ice age in Western Europe and other rapid changes.
7. At some point in the future, warming could become uncontrollable by creating a so-called positive feedback effect. Rising temperatures could release additional greenhouse gases by unlocking methane in permafrost and undersea deposits, freeing carbon trapped in sea ice, and causing increased evaporation of water.

The answers are as simple as you warming up in the sun and plants growing in your garden.

And it’s as complex as using solar panels and photovoltaic cells to make electricity. Solar energy power. It’s as complex as the human beings that use it.

Plants convert solar energy into chemical energy through photosynthesis. Eventually they became the fossil fuels that we now use so abundantly. On this page I will focus on human-made solar energy applications in answering part of your question: how does solar energy work?

Even then, answering “how does solar energy work?” completely will somewhat depend on the purpose and type of application used to harness solar energy. Some of those aspects are covered more fully elsewhere (diy solar heating). And of course you must have broader solar energy information too.

For electricity, you would have a solar photovoltaic (PV) panel. These come in various sizes according to your needs.

Although traditionally it is more costly to have solar PV panels than solar water heaters, with new technologies rapidly emerging, the cost is fast becoming affordable for all.

So, you’re ready to go through this with me now? How does solar energy work?

Let’s go.

Solar energy can be direct or indirect, or active or passive. ‘How does solar energy work?’ is a question of which the answers can be classified also by focus type.

First, there are two approaches towards solar energy conversion into energy we may use, both involving the use of a solar panel. Let’s start with those shall we? These are

• Solar Thermal
• Photovoltaic

Solar thermal

The solar thermal method uses energy from the sun directly to generate heat. Solar panels can be used to collect heat from the sun to capture its heat and transfer it for water and space heating in buildings. Commonly such panels are positioned to maximise absorption of heat from the sun throughout the day and contain tubing through which water circulates. This tubing is known as solar thermal collectors There is also an indirect method where not water but a non-toxic anti-freeze liquid is used. The sun warms this liquid which in turn transfers this heat to water held in a tank. Passive thermal building design is as simple as designing to maximise the sun’s use.

Photovoltaic

This method converts the sun’s power into electricity. This is the photovoltaic process.

How does solar energy work? The solar cell: it’s simple and it’s complex!

• Solar cells, or photovoltaic cells are often silicon-based pieces of material that absorb the sun’s light. Not warmth, as in the thermal application
• Many of these solar cells are often combined in solar panels
• Numbers of solar panels can be combined and interlinked for greater power
• Solar energy excites the electrons in the solar cell and electricity is produced
• This electricity is in the form of direct current or DC
• DC however is not useable for most common purposes
• So, next DC power is transformed through an inverter to alternating current, or AC at 120 Volt, a common-use voltage
• A small amount of solar energy is lost in this DC to AC conversion but is now ready for distribution to household appliances night time use and reduced sunlight
• You may be connected to the regular power grid. It may be possible to feed any excess energy that your batteries cannot hold, back to the grid. In this way you may become a green contributor to a public utility.

A further classification that I need to cover in answering your question How does solar energy work? is this one.

Direct and indirect solar energy

Direct solar energy

Using direct solar power involves only one step in transforming it to useable energy, its electromagnetic radiation. Some examples of direct solar energy include

• Sunlight striking a solar cell by which electricity is immediately generated
• Sunlight that is absorbed by the dark surface warms water in solar thermal collectors
• Sunlight absorbed by a fibre optic cable that is fixed on the exterior of a building and lights the inside
• Amazingly a solar sail on a spacecraft can move it through the direct force of sunlight. How does solar energy work? Mysteriously it seems sometimes.

Indirect solar energy

You probably guessed it! This process involves more than one step from sunlight to useable energy. Here are some examples

• Plants convert sunlight into chemical energy, including carbon. Biofuel can be made from them as well as methane gas and hydrogen without waiting billions of years for them to turn into fossil fuels.
• Hydroelectric dams and wind turbines derive energy from solar-caused wind, rain and other climatic interactions
• Ocean thermal energy is indirect too through its solar-caused differences in temperatures at various depths and wave movement by the wind

After all this, I still have not answered your question: “What is solar energy?” as fully as I might. So, keep moving along with me please…

Active and passive solar energy systems

Passive

A passive system only requires direct sunlight without the aid of any other energy. Sunlight warming an area through a window for example is used in housing and hothouses. Passive solar water heaters for instance use no pump to circulate its water.

Active

And yes, active systems do use the aid of energy besides that of the sun to make them work. Active systems may have electronic tracking devices to maximise sunlight absorption. They may use electric pumps, air blowers, shutters and so on. They can be computer-controlled.

Another way of answering “How does solar energy work?” is by focus type of the solar collector.

Focus types

When very high temperatures are required from solar radiation, its normally diffuse, non-concentrated, light is not enough. Solar energy applications can therefore also be classified as

• Point focus
• Line focus
• Non-focus

Point focus

A saucer-shaped, or parabolic, dish is used to focus diffuse sunlight into a concentrated point of solar radiation. At this point a cluster of solar cells, or a thermal energy receiver convert this radiation into electricity.

Line focus

Same principle as point focus except that here a trough shaped parabolic dish or line of mirrors concentrate the sun’s light which is then converted into electricity.

Non-focus

These systems are those we most commonly think of as solar collectors. Solar thermal panels and solar cell panels are among these. It is an advantage that these systems can use diffuse sun light without further adaptation as above. Concentrating sunlight is of course a more indirect use of solar energy. And greater technological complexity often means higher costs.

Well, that’s it. The basics of how solar energy works. Of course this is only one bit of knowledge that you need if you want to choose the best solar hot water heater, solar energy unit, or even a solar backpack!

You also need to know more if you wish to make your own solar energy system.

Wait, there’s more…

Remember, asking how does solar energy work is not enough. Not if you want a truly sustainable world where all people flourish.

A friend of mine, who is a mother of a son with a disability, visited my web site. Not because she wanted to know theanswers to How does solar energy work? She asked me to expand on “the link between disability and environment” and “how we’re all ‘cactus’ if we don’t get our act together and start to take care of one another”. My sentiments exactly. I’ll keep reminding you of that.

There’s an art to living with limits, dependency and fragility. Focus on that, take direct action and don’t be passive. It’s called sustainable living.

Have I answered all your questions about how does solar energy work? Probably not but you will let me know, won’t you?

Solarbase  hot water heating systems use free heat from the sun to warm domestic hot water. A conventional boiler or immersion heater is then used to make the water hotter, or to provide hot water when solar energy is unavailable.

• How do solar water heating systems work?
• The benefits of solar water heating
• Is a solar water heating system suitable for my home?
• Costs, savings and maintenance

How do solar water heating systems work?

Solar water heating systems use solar panels, called collectors, fitted to your roof. These collect heat from the sun and use it to warm water which is stored in a hot water cylinder.

There are two types of solar water heating panels, they are evacuated tubes (like in the picture above) and flat plate collectors. Flat plates collectors can be fixed on the roof tiles or integrated into the roof. However, Solarbase only install evacuated tubes.

An evacuated solar heating panel is more efficient than a conventional flat plate style of panel. It will also out-perform consistently better in cold, cloudy and windy conditions which are unfortunately all too common in the UK.  

An additional benefit of evacuated tube efficiency is the smaller roof panel footprint – something most people find very appealing. Furthermore, having less solar panel area on the roof reduces the fluid content of the heating system enabling a faster response to solar radiation.

Vacuum is by far the best insulation for a solar heating panel. It safeguards the collector from moisture, condensation and pollutants – resulting in increased durability and year-round performance.    

A boiler or immersion heater can be used as a back up to heat the water further to reach the temperature set by the cylinders thermostat when the solar water heating system does not reach that temperature. (The cylinder thermostat should be set at 60 degrees centigrade.)

Larger solar panels can also provide energy to heat your home as well – though usually only in the summer months when home heating is unnecessary.

The benefits of solar water heating

• Hot water throughout the year: the system works all year round, though you’ll need to heat the water further with a boiler or immersion heater during the winter months.
• Cut your bills: sunlight is free, so once you’ve paid for the initial installation your hot water costs will be reduced.
• Cut your carbon footprint: solar hot water is a green, renewable heating system and doesn’t release any harmful carbon dioxide or other pollutants

Solarbase specialises in the design and installation of photovoltaic and solar thermal systems.

This is the time to invest in Solar PV systems, check out the new government legislation on Feed-in Tariff’s due from April 2010.

Solarbase electricity systems capture the sun’s energy using photovoltaic (PV) cells. Solar photovoltaics (PVs) are arrays of cells containing a material that converts solar radiation into direct current electricity which can be used to run household appliances and lighting.

Due to the growing demand for renewable energy sources, the manufacture of solar cells and photovoltaic arrays has advanced dramatically in recent years. Our aim to provide you with all the information you need to make informed decisions for your home. Installing a home solar PV energy system secures your energy supply, lowers your carbon footprint and contributes to a greener future. It is a sound financial investment that delivers savings you can see each month when your electricity bill arrives.

Solarbase offers a variety of solar PV systems that can be configured to meet your home’s needs. We can assist you in choosing and installing the right system for you.

How do photovoltaic (PV) cells work?

PV cells are panels you can attach to your roof or walls. Each cell is made from one or two layers of semiconducting material, usually silicon. When light shines on the cell it creates an electric field across the layers. The stronger the sunshine, the more electricity is produced.
PV cells come in a variety of shapes including "solar tiles" that look like roof tiles to panels and transparent cells that you can use on conservatories and glass.
The strength of a PV cell is measured in kilowatt peak (kWp) – that’s the amount of energy the cell generates in full sunlight.

As Solarbase are government accredited, the Solar Photovoltaic (PV) system is applicable for a government grant of £2,500 towards the cost of the installation.

What are the benefits?

• Environmentally friendly
• Immediately available
• No barriers to installation
• Fit and forget technology
• Minimal maintenance
• Flexible
• Cost effective
• Reduces energy bills

HOW MUCH ENERGY CAN MY SOLAR PV SYSTEM GENERATE?

An average gas heated semi-detached house with four person occupancy will use around 3,300 kWh of electrical energy per year.

In an average year, a south facing 1kWp solar system will generate around 800 kWh.

In order to achieve carbon neutrality in electricity this therefore would require a 4 kWp solar system and a slight change in lifestyle.

For a standard domestic household as described above a 2kWp system is likely to secure at least half the home electricity demand for free for at least twenty years, and perhaps more as appliances become increasingly energy efficient.

Technologies that use a significant amount of conventional energy to power pumps or fans are active solar technologies. Some passive systems use a small amount of conventional energy to control dampers, shutters, night insulation, and other devices that enhance solar energy collection, storage, use, and reduce undesirable heat transfer.

Passive solar technologies include direct and indirect solar gain for space heating, solar water heating systems based on the thermosiphon, use of thermal mass and phase-change materials for slowing indoor air temperature swings, solar cookers, the solar chimney for enhancing natural ventilation, and earth sheltering.

More widely, passive solar technologies include the solar furnace and solar forge, but these typically require some external energy for aligning their concentrating mirrors or receivers, and historically have not proven to be practical or cost effective for wide-spread use. ‘Low-grade’ energy needs, such as space and water heating, have proven, over time, to be better applications for passive use of solar energy.

Advantages and comparisons to active solar

Passive solar systems have little to no operating costs, often have low maintenance costs, and emit no greenhouse gases in operation. They do, however, need to be optimized to yield the best performance and economics. Energy conservation reduces the needed size of any renewable or conventional energy system, and greatly enhances the economics, so it must be performed first. Passive solar technologies often yield high solar savings fractions, especially for space heating; when combined with active solar technologies or photovoltaics (for example, to power pumps or fans), even higher conventional energy savings can be achieved.

Active solar technologies are employed to convert solar energy into usable heat, cause air-movement for ventilation or cooling, or store heat for future use. Active solar uses electrical or mechanical equipment, such as pumps and fans, to increase the usable heat in a system. Solar energy collection and utilization systems that do not use external energy, like a solar chimney, are classified as passive solar technologies.

Solar hot water systems, except those based on the thermosiphon, use pumps or fans to circulate water, an anti-freeze mixture, or air through solar collectors, and are therefore classified under active solar technology. The solar collectors can be nonconcentrating or ‘flat-plate’, or of various concentrating designs. Most solar-thermal collectors have fixed mounting, but can have a higher performance if they track the path of the sun through the sky. Solar trackers, used to orient photovoltaic arrays, may be driven by either passive or active technology.

A solar water or space-heating system that uses pumps or fans to circulate the fluid from the solar collectors to a storage tank subsystem. There are two basic types of active solar heating systems based on the type of fluid – either liquid or air – that is heated in the solar energy collectors. Liquid-based systems heat water or an antifreeze solution in a “hydronic” collector, whereas air-based systems heat air in an air collector.

Both of these systems collect and absorb solar radiation, then transfer the solar heat directly to the interior space or to a storage system, from which the heat is distributed. If the system cannot provide adequate space heating, an auxiliary or back-up system provides the additional heat. Liquid systems are more often used when storage is included, and are well suited for radiant heating systems, boilers with hot water radiators, and even absorption heat pumps and coolers. Both air and liquid systems can supplement forced air systems. To learn more about these two types of active solar heating, see the following sections:

• Solar Air Heating
• Solar Liquid Heating

Economics and other benefits of active solar heating systems

Active solar heating systems are most cost-effective when they are used for most of the year, that is, in cold climates with good solar resources. They are most economical if they are displacing more expensive heating fuels, such as electricity, propane, and oil heat. Some states offer sales tax exemptions, income tax credits or deductions, and property tax exemptions or deductions for solar energy systems.

Heating your home with an active solar energy system can significantly reduce your fuel bills in the winter. A solar heating system will also reduce the amount of air pollution and greenhouse gases that result from your use of fossil fuels such as oil, propane, and natural gas for heating or that may be used to generate the electricity that you use.

Selecting and sizing a solar heating system

Selecting the appropriate solar energy system depends on factors such as the site, design, and heating needs of your house. Local covenants may restrict your options; for example homeowner associations may not allow you to install solar collectors on certain parts of your house (although many homeowners have been successful in challenging such covenants).

The local climate, the type and efficiency of the collector(s), and the collector area determine how much heat a solar heating system can provide. It is usually most economical to design an active system to provide 40%–80% of the home’s heating needs. Systems providing less than 40% of the heat needed for a home are rarely cost-effective except when using solar air heater collectors that heat one or two rooms and require no heat storage. A well-designed and insulated home that incorporates passive solar heating techniques will require a smaller and less costly heating system of any type, and may need very little supplemental heat other than solar.

Besides the fact that designing an active system to supply enough heat 100% of the time is generally not practical or cost effective, most building codes and mortgage lenders require a back-up heating system. Supplementary or back-up systems supply heat when the solar system can not meet heating requirements. They can range from a wood stove to a conventional central heating system.

Controls for solar heating systems

Controls for solar heating systems are usually more complex than those of a conventional heating system, because they have to analyze more signals and control more devices (including the conventional, backup heating system). Solar controls use sensors, switches, and/or motors to operate the system. The system uses other controls to prevent freezing or extremely high temperatures in the collectors.

The heart of the control system is a differential thermostat, which measures the difference in temperature between the collectors and storage unit. When the collectors are 10°–20°F (5.6°–11°C) warmer than the storage unit, the thermostat turns on a pump or fan to circulate water or air through the collector to heat the storage medium or the house.

The operation, performance, and cost of these controls vary. Some control systems monitor the temperature in different parts of the system to help determine how it is operating. The most sophisticated systems use microprocessors to control and optimize heat transfer and delivery to storage and zones of the house.

It is possible to use a solar panel to power low voltage, direct current (DC) blowers (for air collectors) or pumps (for liquid collectors). The output of the solar panels matches available solar heat gain to the solar collector. With careful sizing, the blower or pump speed is optimized for efficient solar gain to the working fluid. During low sun conditions the blower or pump speed is slow, and during high solar gain, they run faster.

When used with a room air collector, separate controls may not be necessary. This also ensures that the system will operate in the event of utility power outage. A solar power system with battery storage can also provide power to operate a central heating system, though this is expensive for large systems.

Special area regulations – such as local community, subdivision, or homeowner’s association covenants – also demand compliance. These covenants, historic district regulations, and flood-plain provisions can easily be overlooked. To find out what’s needed for local compliance, contact your local jurisdiction’s zoning and building enforcement divisions and any appropriate homeowner’s, subdivision, neighborhood, and/or community association(s).

Installing and maintaining your solar heating system

How well an active solar energy system performs depends on effective siting, system design, and installation, and the quality and durability of the components. The collectors and controls now manufactured are of high quality. The biggest factor now is finding an experienced contractor who can properly design and install the system.

Once a system is in place, it has to be properly maintained to optimize its performance and avoid breakdowns. Different systems require different types of maintenance, but you should figure on 8–16 hours of maintenance annually. You should set up a calendar with a list of maintenance tasks that the component manufacturers and installer recommends.

Most solar water heaters are automatically covered under your homeowner’s insurance policy. However, damage from freezing is generally not. Contact your insurance provider to find out what its policy is. Even if your provider will cover your system, it is best to inform them in writing that you own a new system.

Pros and Cons of Solar Energy

The advantages of solar energy are numerous.

In fact there really isn’t a debate. As prices for solar power fall it is becoming easier and easier for the ‘normal’ family to afford this technology.

Here are the solar energy advantages….

1. Saves you money

Well in the long run it does. After the initial investment has been recovered, the energy from the sun is FREE. The recovery/ payback period for this investment can be very short depending on how much electricity or water your household uses.

If you have a PV system and you produce more electricity than you use, your utility company can buy it from you, building up a credit on your account! How good is that?!

It will save you money on your electricity bill if you have one at all. Also, if you have a solar water heating system then you will save money there as well.

Solar energy does not require any fuel. Just the sun.

It’s not affected by the supply and demand of fuel and is therefore not subjected to the ever-increasing price hikes.

Once your system is installed, thats it! Its just savings. They are immediate and will last a lifetime. And you don’t need to pay for the steep installation costs. If you are competant at DIY you can fit your own. Click here for more details.

2. Solar energy benefits the environment

Solar Energy is clean, renewable (unlike gas, oil and coal) and sustainable, helping to protect our us and our environment.

Pollution is reduced dramatically. Solar energy doesn’t pollute our air by releasing carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide, sulphur dioxide, mercury or other harmful fumes into the atmosphere like many traditional forms of electrical generations does.

Solar Energy does not add to global warming.

By not using any fuel, Solar Energy does not add to the cost and problems of storage of radioactive waste or the recovery and transportation of fuel.

3. Low/no maintenance

Solar Energy systems are virtually maintenance free. Once installed, there are no recurring costs unless for example, on a water system a tube might break. This is unlikely though.

They operate silently, have no moving parts, do not release horrid smells and do not require you to add any fuel.

More solar panels can easily be added in the future when your family’s needs grow.

4. Independent/ semi-independent

Solar Energy can be utilized to offset utility-supplied energy consumption. It does not only reduce your bills, but will also continue to supply your home/ business with electricity or water in the event of a power outage.

A Solar Energy system can operate entirely independently, not requiring a connection to a power or gas grid. Systems can therefore be installed in remote locations (like holiday log cabins or cottages in the country), making it more practical and cost-effective than the supply of utility electricity to a new site.

The use of Solar Energy reduces our dependence on foreign or centralized sources of energy, influenced by natural disasters or international events like wars, and so contributes to a sustainable future.

So the advantages of solar energy are clear for all to see. If you would like more information on making your own solar panel click here.

Disadvantage of solar energy

The main disadvantage of solar energy is that it could cost too much.
And indeed, with some solar companies it does. Some companies prices are very over inflatate. With costs plummeting all the time as technology becomes better this really doesn’t hold up anymore.

So really, I can’t find any disadvantages other than if for some insane reason you like paying through the nose by your energy supplier, with no control or influence on price, lurching from one energy price rise to another. You can minimise the impact of this effect and offset your costs and reduce your bills. You will be independent!

SolarBase offer a FREE quotation and Consultancy service to all businesses and homeowners who are contemplating changing their energy requirements to Solar Power.

SolaBase offer a huge range of solutions that can dramatically reduce your energy bills and in turn reduce your carbon footprint,

Alternately, please use our contact form

By obliging electricity utility companies to buy renewable electricity at a fixed price for a fixed number of years, renewable installations become cost effective for the installer. A feed in tariff is effectively a subsidy designed to increase the exploitation of renewable energy sources, and to help governments to meet their carbon reduction obligations.

How Feed in Tariffs Work

As long as the retail price of electricity is cheaper than the cost of electricity generated from renewable sources, it is difficult to persuade anyone to move away from fossil fuels. However, by offering above market prices – e.g. paying renewable generators 30p per kWh unit instead of the <10p per kWh retail electricity price – utility companies and home-owners will see that there is money to be made by installing PV solar panels and wind turbines etc.

The UK Government has now announced feed in tariffs for small wind turbines and photovoltaic solar panels:

36.5p/kWh for small solar photovoltaic systems up to 4kW, and 28p/kWh for systems up to 10kW.

These tariffs will replace the current ROC system. Payments will begin on 1st April 2010, but all small wind and solar systems commissioned from now on will be eligible for both LCBP grants and the new feed in tariff.

WHAT IS THE PROPOSED SOLAR PV FEED-IN TARIFF?

 It is hoped that the proposed feed in tariff will begin in April 2010, and will last 20 years. Over these 20 years the p/kWh received for generation for new systems will decrease at a rate of 7%.

This stops people from waiting to invest due to beliefs that the price for the technology will come down, as the later you invest- the less you will receive for your generation.

It has been proposed in this manner to encourage investment now.

It has been aimed that the return on solar PV investment should fall between 5-8%.

The proposed tariffs depend on system size and can be seen below (existing systems are eligible for the rates but will not be paid alongside ROCs).

These rates will be paid for each unit of electricity generated even if you use it in your own house/building. As well as this if you have any excess electricity it can be exported back to the grid and you will get an extra 5p/kWh.

For example: 2.52kWp solar PV system producing 2100kWh/year (smaller than 4kWp on an existing building) using half of the electricity the system produces in the building and exporting half of the electricity back to the grid would earn/save:

Earn ((Half the electricity generated 2100/2 kWh x £0.365) + (Half the electricity generated 2100/2 kWh x £0.415)) + Save (Save buying half the electricity generated 2100/2 kWh x £0.13/kWh)

= £955/year!

At present there are low carbon building programme grants worth £2,500 available for domestic investors. This grant alongside the proposed future feed in tariff would make the return on a typical solar PV system (costing £13,400 for 2.55kWp, generating 2126kWh/year) around 8.87% (based on half the electricity being exported and half being used onsite).

Even without the initial grant the return would be an astounding 7.22%.

Case Study

Mr & Mrs Davies paid £7950 minus £2500 grant for a 1.44 kWp Solar PV System producing around 1186 units per year.

Their annual household usage was 3870 units. % covered by solar panels: 30%, amount saved off their bill (assuming each unit is 15p): £177.90

From April next year, you will qualify for the UK Feed-in-tariff. 

This pays 36.5 for every unit you generate (whether I use it or not)

WARNING – not all technologies qualify for the 36.5p – don’t assume that if you generate electricity by another method, you get such a high payment.

Therefore:-

Solar System generated in one year: 1186 kWh units
Feed-in-tariff: £432.89
Amount saved off bill (assuming each unit is 15p): £177.90
(You’ll still be saving any electricity off your bill as in the first estimates)
Annual saving: £610.79
Payback assuming everything stays the same: 8.92 years

Our Solar Solutions;

• Solar Photovoltaic Energy
• Retro Fit Solar System
• Twin Coil Vented Solar System
• Twin Coil Unvented Solar System
• Combi Boiler Solar System
• Solar Swimming Pool Heating
• Air Source Heat Pumps
• Underfloor Heating Systems