My System
There are lots of things to consider before investing in a PV system. Listed here are just a few of the more important things to know, please consult our FAQ page for more information. If you have any questions which are not covered please feel free to email us here
Roof suitability:
The first thing to say about roof suitability is which way is your roof facing? If it is north or 90° either side then PV is not suitable. Due south is ideal but anything 90° either side is also acceptable. The next thing is the pitch (angle) of the roof, Once again there is an ideal angle, 30°-40°, but other angles are ok. For the relevant percentage of output at different combinations of pitch/angle see the table below:
Next there is area. With the latest monocrystalline modules the area required is approximately 8m2 for a 1kWp system, 12m2 for a 1.5kWp system, 16m2 for a 2kWp system and so on. (more in the FAQ).
Last but not least is shading. Any shading can have a detrimental effect on the output of any system. It is important to consider any surrounding buildings (or potential surrounding buildings) and any trees (or potential trees!) when considering any site for PV installation.
Planning permission/consent:
Planning permission is not usually needed for domestic or commercial installations. Renewable energy systems benefited from a recent (April 2008) relaxation of planning regulations and now most systems fall within ‘permitted development rights’. Exceptions can be if you live in a Conservation Area or the installation is planned for a listed building. There are also controls on Areas of Special Scientific Interest and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. A quick call to the local planning department will confirm whether or not you need to obtain planning permission or consent.
Durability:
There are no moving or wearing parts in a PV system, therefore it can be expected to last a long time. Modules generally have a guarantee of 20-25 years and some have already lasted nearly double this. The fixing frames are aluminium so do not rust. The electrical wiring and components can be expected to last as long as any other electrical wiring in your home, a quality installation will last a very long time. Inverters generally have a 5 year warranty but again, the vast majority last much longer than that.
Grant funding:
Different grants are available depending on the type of premises and the size of the installation. Please fill in our form to find out more.
VAT:
On domestic premises the current VAT rate for renewable energy systems is 5% providing that 60% of the energy is used for domestic purposes. If your house is a new build the rate is 0%. Commercial premises attract the standard rate of 17.5%.
Next step:
Please go to our no obligation quote form to find out which system and which grants are available to you.