Photovoltaic (PV) solar panels

How it works

A Photovoltaic (PV) system works by converting energy from the sun into electricity. This electricity is then fed directly into the existing supply of the property where it can be used. The electricity generated is free and has no carbon emissions.

Benefits

If you install a PV system you will be reducing the cost of your electricity supply (because you will not need to buy as much) and lessening your impact on the environment. In addition to this you will also be able to claim Feed in Tariff (FIT) payments for the next 25 years for the electricity you generate whether you use it yourself or not! These payments are index linked so they rise with RPI each year.

FITs came into effect on 1st April 2010. This is a UK government scheme that provides a financial incentive to install small scale renewable systems to enable the UK to meet its carbon reduction targets. Under the FIT scheme, we would install a PV array on your property. We can do this because we are a government approved contractor (accredited under the Microgeneration Certification Scheme). We would also install a meter to measure how much electricity your property generates. You would then be eligible for quarterly payments from an electricity supplier for the next 25 years.

There are two payments that you receive. The first is a generation tariff which is paid to you for every unit of electricity produced (whether you use it yourself or not). The second is an export tariff which applies to the electricity that you generate but do not use.

The generation tariffs differ according to the size of the installed system and whether it is retrofit or new build:

Power produced	Payment
<4kW (retrofit)	43.3p per kWh
<4kW (new build)	37.8p per kWh
>4 - 10kW	37.8p per kWh
>10 - 50kW	32.9p per kWh
>50 - 150kW	19.0p per kWh
>150 - 250kW	15.0p per kWh
>250kW - 5MW	8.5p per kWh
Standalone	8.5p per kWh

The export tariff is 3p per kWh irrespective of the type of installation. Both the generation and the export tariffs are payable for 25 years and are index linked to RPI so they will increase each year. If you are an individual then the first £1,000 of tariff income each year is tax free. The FIT payments and electricity bill savings make the installation of a PV system a very attractive financial investment. Please contact us for an estimate of how much you could earn by installing PV or see our FIT calculator.