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• Getting started

• 1) How does solar PV power work?

  Photovoltaics are a method for generating electric power by using solar cells to convert energy from the sun into electricity. The photovoltaic effect refers to photons of light knocking electrons into a higher state of energy to create electricity. Solar cells produce direct current electricity from light, which can be used to power equipment or to recharge a battery.

• 2) What does a PV system contain?

  Solar PV systems are most commonly made from silicon, usually in crystalline form. Although there are cheaper, more aesthetic options moving into the market. The modules (sometimes referred to as a solar panel) are made from PV cells usually behind glass that are linked together in series to generate power output in the form of direct current (DC). A number PV modules can be connected together to give the desired electrical output.
  
  How does this system work?
  
  A charge is placed across each cell and as the energy from the sun hits the silicon, an electron is released from the atom. The charge across the cell means that this electron flows towards the positive layer. An electron flow means that a current is generated. This direct current is converted by an inverter in the system to an alternating current (AC) at the same level as the national grid.
  

• 3) What is photovoltaics or PV?

  Photovoltaics (PVs) are arrays of cells containing a solar photovoltaic material that converts solar radiation into direct current electricity. Materials currently used for photovoltaics include monocrystalline silicon, polycrystalline silicon, microcrystalline silicon, cadmium telluride, and copper indium selenide/sulfide. Due to the growing demand for renewable energy sources, the manufacture of solar cells and photovoltaic arrays has advanced dramatically in recent years.

• 4) What’s the difference between PV and other solar technologies?

  Photovoltaic means electricity from light. A solar PV system uses the natural energy from daylight in the form of solar radiation to generate electricity. This is different technology to solar thermal systems used for heating and hot water.

• 5) Why should I go solar?

  By installing a solar PV system you will be generating clean green electricity from the free energy of the sun. You will then reduce your electricity bills by not paying as much for your energy, but you will also earn money through the UK feed-in tariff scheme, launched on April 1. Installing a PV system will also help reduce greenhouse gases as energy use associated with buildings accounts for around 50% of UK CO2 emissions.

• 6) Will I be eligible to receive the tariff if I move into a home that already has an electricity gener

  FiT eligibility remains with the installation, even if the ownership of the home or generating technology changes. Therefore the technology must have been eligible before you move in, even if it is not registered yet.

• Installing

• 1) Do I need planning permission for a PV system?

  In most cases, planning permission is not required. However, some authorities do require planning permission especially for listed buildings or within a conservation area. Your local authority will be able to provide you with information on your home's eligibility.

• 2) How long will my system last?

  Solar panels have a manufacturers warranty of 25 years and a working lifetime of 40 years and beyond. However the lifetime can of course vary from system to system. Inverters however, usually need replacing every 10 years.

• 3) How to insure multi-roof solar installations in three easy steps

  By Dan Gumsley

  In front of you is a blank piece of paper.  On that piece of paper you jot down all the parties involved in your solar deal.  You then write down the word ‘insurance’ in large capital letters, join some of the names together with arrows and then screw the piece of paper up and toss it over your shoulder.  Where do you start?  It all seems so complicated… 

  In actual fact, when building a risk profile, jotting down the names of the parties involved is the first step insurance brokers take with their clients.  The panel manufacturer, the EPC contractor, the UK storage and distribution company, the homeowner, the SPV, the utility company, the Distribution & Network Officer….  the list can be extensive but rest assured, all the parties noted are relevant to placing insurance coverage for multi-roof solar PV projects.

  The point is, whether you are the owner of the installations or the EPC contractor, each party will have an impact on your risk profile.  In turn this will affect the premium you pay or, more disturbingly, the cover you’ll be granted.  For example, if the SPV is insuring the panels while in storage in the UK, the storage company will adversely affect the premium if their premises aren’t alarmed.  Looking at a recent scenario presented by an EPC contractor, if the installations take more than one day and the panels and equipment are left unsecured at the homeowner’s property overnight, insurers will not accept liability.

  With all the interested parties identified, the next stage is to determine who has an insurable (or financial) interest in the panels and equipment.  This insurable interest will begin from the moment the panels leave the factory right through to when they are installed on the roof-top and generating electricity.  Confusion can often arise when building an insurance model because it is possible for more than one party to have an insurable interest. 

  Let’s use marine transit insurance as an example.  From when the panels leave the factory, there are usually three parties who can buy the insurance – the manufacturer, the EPC contractor or the SPV.  So what are the implications?  If the SPV decides to pass the insurance responsibility to the manufacturer, they automatically prevent themselves from insuring the future profits of their solar venture should the panels suffer loss or damage while in transit.  Not only this but they also lose control of any claims and have less influence over the level of cover purchased.  Another example arises during the installation phase when the EPC contractor and the SPV have an insurable interest in the panels.  It is common for the SPV to ‘dual insure’ in this situation without understanding that being named as a co-insured under the EPC contractors ‘contractors all risks’ policy is sufficient.

  With the risk profiling complete and the insurance model in place, it is now up to your insurance advisor to recommend the right combination of deductibles and cover extensions to match your financial tolerance and that of the funders. 

  Dan Gumsley works as a renewable energy specialist for Willis, one of the world’s largest insurance brokers. He can reached on +44 7930 214113 or Dan.Gumsley@willis.com

  The views expressed here are his own.

• 4) Solar Power Portal’s Top 10 Tips

  Worried about cowboys? Scared you will get convinced to buy something you’re not sure about? Make sure you read Solar Power Portal’s top tips on choosing the right solar installer before you make the decision to install your own energy system.

  1. Do a bit of research into the company to find out how long they’ve been in business, how many installations they’ve completed, what the website feedback is like.

  2. Make sure that the work is carried out by them, and not subcontracted. If it is, find out which company they use.

  3. Find out if the installers are qualified electricians.

  4. Shop around – make sure the price they’re quoting makes sense. You should be provided with an itemized list of what you’re getting for your money.

  5. Ask for estimates on how much the system will generate each year.

  6. Ask for advice on system size and location. The installer should take your roof size, orientation and shading into consideration. Don’t be tricked into buying a standard kit.

  7. Talk about the different module options available. Find out what the different advantages are, and why there are so many variations.

  8. Make sure they look at the fuse box and look at the structure of the roof.

  9. Make sure they fully understand your needs. You don’t want a system that’s not right for your purposes.

  9. Get to know the person who will be working on your house. If you don’t feel comfortable, don’t do it.

• 5) What happens if I move home?

  Ownership of the technology is linked to the site and, therefore, in the case where a building or homeownership changes, the ownership of the technology would also transfer to the new owner.

• 6) Where can I install my system?

  Maximum output comes from south facing systems between 30-40 degrees from horizontal. A PV system should not be installed in shade as this will decrease the output from the system. Although most systems are installed on a roof, they can be installed on any surface such as facades, sunshades, garages or ground mounted. They are normally installed in locations that receive sunshine through most of the day.

• Feed-in tariff

• 1) What are the current feed-in tariff rates?

  Feed-in Tariff Levels (under consultation as of December 12, 2011)

  Energy Source	Scale	Feed-in tariff (pence/kWh)		Duration (years)
  Solar PV	≤4 kW (retro fit)	21		25
  Solar PV	≤4 kW (new build)	21		25
  Solar PV	4kW – 10kW	16.8		25
  Solar PV	10kW – 50kW	15.2		25
  Solar PV	50kW – 100kW	12.9		25
  Solar PV	100kW – 150kW	12.9		25
  Solar PV	150kW – 250kW	12.9		25
  Solar PV	250kW+	8.5		25
  Solar PV	Stand alone	8.5	25

• 2) What is a feed-in tariff or FiT?

  The Feed-in Tariff (FiT) - known as the 'Clean Energy Cash-Back Scheme' in the UK - is a Government-backed scheme that pays you for producing renewable electricity. There are two ways that the tariffs can help you make money from generating your own energy:
  
  Generation Tariff - This FiT provides a fixed income for every kilowatt hour (kWh) of electricity you generate and use in your property. The current FiT rate in the UK is 43.3p per kilowatt hour of energy produced by a reto fit system up to 4kW. The other tariff levels can be seen in the table below.
  
  The Export Tariff - Any extra energy you generate can provide you with an additional fixed income for every kWh of electricity you generate and sell back to the grid. This is currently set at approximately 3p/kWh.

  Energy Source	Scale	Feed-in tariff (pence/kWh)		Duration (years)
  Solar PV	≤4 kW (retro fit)	43.3		25
  Solar PV	≤4 kW (new build)	37.8		25
  Solar PV	4kW – 10kW	37.8		25
  Solar PV	10kW – 50kW	32.9		25
  Solar PV	50kW – 100kW	19		25
  Solar PV	100kW – 150kW	19		25
  Solar PV	150kW – 250kW	15		25
  Solar PV	250kW+	8.5		25
  Solar PV	Stand alone	8.5	25

• 3) Will I be eligible to receive the tariff if I move into a home that already has an electricity gener

  FiT eligibility remains with the installation, even if the ownership of the home or generating technology changes. Therefore the technology must have been eligible before you move in, even if it is not registered yet.

• 4) Will I need a special meter to be able to claim FiTs?

  Generation must be metered and FiTs payments are made to generators on the basis of metered generation. Meters will need to be able to measure generation, usage and import. However, as an interim measure, DECC has announced that at the very small scale, the amount of exports for the payment of export tariffs can be deemed (estimated), subject to the following:
  • These arrangements will only apply until the finalising of specifications for smart meters;
  • These arrangements do not apply if export meters exist already, or are provided at the generator's expense

• Energy generating

• 1) 10 Ways to cut your CO2 emissions

  Typical £ and CO₂ savings per annum

  Action	Potential £ savings/year	Potential CO2 savings/year	References
  Install solar pv	£143	1 tonne	HomeSun*
  Loft insulation (electric storage heating)	£193	2 tonnes	Eaga**
  Loft insulation (gas central heating)	£150	1.1 tonnes	Eaga
  Cavity wall insulation (electric storage heating)	£240	2.6 tonnes	Eaga
  Cavity wall insulation (gas central heating)	£188	1.5 tonnes	Eaga
  Double glaze your house	£80	720 kg	Energy Saving Trust (EST)
  Draught proofing (doors, windows, skirting boards, floor boards)	£45	309kg	EST
  Pipe insulation	£10	60kg	EST
  Water tank insulation	£35	190kg	EST
  Replace old gas boiler with new condensing boiler	£346-£534	2.9-4.4 tonnes	Eaga
  Fit energy saving bulbs	£37		EST
  Change to energy saving appliances and electronics			Switch to AAA rated and EST recommended appliances and save between 20 and 75%

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

  * Based on an annual saving of 2200kWh, a per unit CO₂  saving of 0.45kg

  ** All Eaga figures are based on average savings from a typical 3 bedroom semi-detached house built between 1950 and 1965

• 2) How much electricity will I make?

  Each kilowatt peak (kWp) of PV installed in the UK will produce on average around 800kWh a year. This varies with geographical location and your accredited installer will be able to estimate your system output depending on the solar radiation levels in your area. You can view all of the certified installers in your area in our Directory.

• 3) I rent . If my landlord installs an electricity generating technology, who would receive the FiT?

  It will be up to landlords and tenants of domestic or commercial property to come to an arrangement about the receipt of payments and on-site electricity use benefits.

• Cost

• 1) 10 Ways to cut your CO2 emissions

  Typical £ and CO₂ savings per annum

  Action	Potential £ savings/year	Potential CO2 savings/year	References
  Install solar pv	£143	1 tonne	HomeSun*
  Loft insulation (electric storage heating)	£193	2 tonnes	Eaga**
  Loft insulation (gas central heating)	£150	1.1 tonnes	Eaga
  Cavity wall insulation (electric storage heating)	£240	2.6 tonnes	Eaga
  Cavity wall insulation (gas central heating)	£188	1.5 tonnes	Eaga
  Double glaze your house	£80	720 kg	Energy Saving Trust (EST)
  Draught proofing (doors, windows, skirting boards, floor boards)	£45	309kg	EST
  Pipe insulation	£10	60kg	EST
  Water tank insulation	£35	190kg	EST
  Replace old gas boiler with new condensing boiler	£346-£534	2.9-4.4 tonnes	Eaga
  Fit energy saving bulbs	£37		EST
  Change to energy saving appliances and electronics			Switch to AAA rated and EST recommended appliances and save between 20 and 75%

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

  * Based on an annual saving of 2200kWh, a per unit CO₂  saving of 0.45kg

  ** All Eaga figures are based on average savings from a typical 3 bedroom semi-detached house built between 1950 and 1965

• 2) How can I get FREE solar power?

  There are several companies offering FREE solar power in the UK, the most famous being 'A Shade Greener' and 'ISIS Solar'. Information on these companies, and details of how to contact them are available in our Directory.
  
  Q: Am I eligible for FREE solar?
  A: Every house is different. Each solar company will have their own requirements for free installation but most ask that your house has the following:
  - South facing/almost south facing roof
  - Relitively unshaded roof
  - Roof of approx. 24m2
  
  There is no catch with these offers, these companies really do install solar panels on your house for free. You can read more about how they do this by looking them up in our news section.

• 3) How much will this cost me?

  The cost of a solar PV installation varies depending on the system size, type and location. The average price ranges from £10,000 - £15,000. There are loans available to help with the cost of the system, and all UK homeowners are now eligible for the feed-in tariff which pays you for the energy you produce. For more information on your options visit the Policy section of Solar Power Portal UK.

• General

• 1) There is not much sun in the UK - will solar PV still work?

  Yes. Solar photovoltaics works using light, and not necessarily sun light. This means that a solar PV system can function in cooler and often cloudier countries. However you will of course generate more energy at sunnier times of the year.

• 2) What is a feed-in tariff or FiT?

  The Feed-in Tariff (FiT) - known as the 'Clean Energy Cash-Back Scheme' in the UK - is a Government-backed scheme that pays you for producing renewable electricity. There are two ways that the tariffs can help you make money from generating your own energy:
  
  Generation Tariff - This FiT provides a fixed income for every kilowatt hour (kWh) of electricity you generate and use in your property. The current FiT rate in the UK is 43.3p per kilowatt hour of energy produced by a reto fit system up to 4kW. The other tariff levels can be seen in the table below.
  
  The Export Tariff - Any extra energy you generate can provide you with an additional fixed income for every kWh of electricity you generate and sell back to the grid. This is currently set at approximately 3p/kWh.

  Energy Source	Scale	Feed-in tariff (pence/kWh)		Duration (years)
  Solar PV	≤4 kW (retro fit)	43.3		25
  Solar PV	≤4 kW (new build)	37.8		25
  Solar PV	4kW – 10kW	37.8		25
  Solar PV	10kW – 50kW	32.9		25
  Solar PV	50kW – 100kW	19		25
  Solar PV	100kW – 150kW	19		25
  Solar PV	150kW – 250kW	15		25
  Solar PV	250kW+	8.5		25
  Solar PV	Stand alone	8.5	25

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