Solar Photovoltaic energy is widely used in offices and homes. It uses silicon semi-conductor cells to convert sunlight directly into electricity. Photovoltaic cells (PV's) are most commonly used as roof tiles to take advantage of the light coming from the sun. This is trapped by the cell and turned into electricity. Solar panels can either operate as a stand-alone energy source or feed energy to a grid. They work best when in direct sunlight, but they continue to produce electricity on cloudy days.
Generate FREE, green electricity from sunlight
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.
There is certainly enough sunlight in the UK (we get about 60 percent of the sunlight received at the equator) to make investing in solar worthwhile. Sussex being know as the Sunshine Coast says it all.
How does Solar PV 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 and colours, from grey "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.
The benefits Solar PV can bring to you
Cut your carbon footprint
Solar electricity is green, renewable energy and doesn't release any harmful carbon dioxide (CO2) or other pollutants. A typical home PV system could save around 1 tonne of CO2 per year - that's around 25 tonnes over its lifetime.
Cut your electricity bills
Energy from the sun 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.
Sell your excess 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 extra income. Contact us for more information about feed in tariffs and selling electricity.
