Solar PV
Overview
Solar panels are the collection of solar or photovoltaic cells which, convert solar energy i.e. sunlight into electrical energy or electricity. The process of extraction of electricity directly from sunlight is known as photovoltaic process. A photovoltaic cell or a self-generating barrier laver cell is also a PV detector which transforms radiant flux straight into electrical current. Moreover, electricity cannot be generated by heat through PV cells as sunlight is a must requirement for that.
The idea of producing electricity gained popularity in the recent times but it is actually a hundred year old initiative. Henri Becquerel made the discovery of photovoltaic effect and converted electricity directly from the sunlight. Thus, a century old thought is now responsible for all solar technology.
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There are different types of solar panels which are used by the people according to its utility. While buying a solar panel you must keep in mind various factors like where it will be installed, purpose; commercial or residential use, and budget. Greenio and our experts are here to help you make the right choice for which solar panels will suit you best and show you how you can make the most of them.
How Do Solar Panels Work?
Step 1- Solar panels absorb energy from the sun and convert it into DC electricity.
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Step 2- DC electricity from your solar panels is converted to AC electricity by inverter technology (AC electricity is used by most home appliances).
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Step 3- Electricity flows through your home or business, powering electronic appliances and devices
Step 4- Any extra electricity produced by the solar panels is fed back to the electric grid or into your battery if you have one installed.
What is a solar battery and should I get one?
More often that not, solar panels are generating more energy that can be used around the home at any one time. All the excess energy is then sent to the electricity grid, meaning that you're losing out on energy being generated by your panels. By including a solar battery as part of your solar pv system, you can hold onto the unused energy to use during the night when your solar panels aren't generating any energy.
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A solar battery is a device that you can add to your solar power system to store the excess electricity generated by your solar panels. You can then use that stored energy to power your home at times when your solar panels don't generate enough electricity, including nights, cloudy days, and during power outages.
The point of a solar battery is to help you use more of the solar energy you’re creating. If you don't have battery storage, any excess electricity from solar power goes to the grid, which means you're generating power and providing it to other people without taking full advantage of the electricity your panels create first.
Battery & Inverter Installed by Greenio in 2022
Benefits of Getting Solar PV
Combat ever increasing energy prices
By generating your own power through solar panels, you can reduce your reliance on the grid and reduce your annual electricity bill. Plus, if you generate more power than you use, you can arrange to earn money by selling it back to the grid through the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG).
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Lowers your carbon footprint
Solar power is a source of clean energy so using it to power your home sustainably will mean you're contributing to the UK achieving its carbon reduction goals - a vital step in helping to combat climate change. Cutting your carbon footprint will also mean you're helping to protect wildlife habitats,
communities and economies that are threatened by a warming climate.
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A renewable source of energy
As well as helping to combat climate change, renewable energies like solar also
help to reduce air pollution, which is one of the biggest challenges we're facing globally.
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Easy to install
Solar panels can easily be installed on your roof. It will usually take only a day or so for your home
to be up and running on solar energy. But it's important to remember that the tilt and direction of your roof will have an impact on how much energy you can expect to get from your panels. With a range of systems available Greenio can help you optimise your solar system to best match your needs.
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It can pay for itself
Solar PV systems are great for saving money, so much so that most can pay for themselves
overtime from the money you would of saved from not having to buy as much energy from the grid. This makes solar a great investment that overtime will cost you nothing.
FAQs
Do solar panels still work on cloudy days?
Absolutely! It's actually radiation from the sun, rather than temperature, heat or direct sunlight, that enables solar PV panels to generate electricity. Solar panels in hot sunny countries can gather more energy but solar panels can sometimes get too hot and become less efficient, so don't be fooled into thinking that they won't work well in the UK. They don't need constant direct sunlight to work and can still generate electricity when the weather is cloudy.
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Could you really charge an electric car for free using solar energy?
If you have an electric car, or are considering one, being able to charge it for free, reducing your fuel costs and
impact on the planet, is possibly the biggest benefit on offer. Planning to power your home and electric car with
solar energy will require a larger solar PV system, so it's worth mentioning this to us when vou enquire.
How long do solar panels last? This varies depending on manufacturer but most come with a 15-25 year manufacturers warrant and have an expected life well in excess of 25 years.
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How long does installation take?
It varies, a standard 10 panel home system on average takes between 1-3 days where as a commercial 30-50 panel installation would take around between 10-12 days. Each individual installation time can vary due to the number of panels and the complexity of the project etc. Greenio will always be able to give you an estimated installation time for small domestic projects all the way up to big commercial installations.
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Do I need planning permission?
In most cases installing solar panels on our roof does not require planning permission as they are considered 'permitted development' under planning law. There are, however, some rules and exceptions that must be observed. For example, it is important to consult you local council's planning department for advice if our house is in an area of outstanding natural beauty or is a listed building. We are happy to advise and quide you in this area.
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I live in a conservation area? Do I need planning permission then?
If you live in a conservation area and are considering solar, you will need to consider a few things when it comes to whether or not you will need planning permission. Firstly, you will need to consider if the suggested roof space that the panels will go on are road facing or not, if the suggested area of the roof where you want the panels yo go are is not road facing then you do not need planning permission as it is considered permitted development. If your roof are road facing you will need planning permission but Greenio are happy to assist you accordingly in getting the correct planning permission from your council as standard.
Can I go totally Off-Grid?
This is a tough one! You can go totally off-grid in theory however it is not something Greenio really recommend due to it not being the most practical of solutions as it can in some scenarios leave you without power so you will definitely need a back up power source. This means you cannot go totally off-grid without extensive infrastructure changes so if you are seriously considering this you should do some considerable research into whether or not its something you could achieve within your budget.
Can I add a battery to my existing solar PV system?
Yes of course, solar panels often produce more power than you can actually use so Greenio sometimes recommend a battery to be included in your system if your system is generating a surplus. Greenio analyse this on a case by case basis and will always be able to advise you in your case if a battery would be a beneficial addition to your system.
A battery can store the power that you do not use so you can use it at a time when you are not producing any power such as at night time.
How do I know what size battery I need?
The truth is, not everyone needs a battery. Greenio can advise you if you could benefit from adding a battery to your system and find the perfect battery for you so you get the most out of your solar. However below is few points to help;
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If you want to power more of your property at once, you will need a solar battery with a high power rating.
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If you want to run your property with your solar battery for a longer amount of time, you will need a battery with a higher usable capacity.
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If you want to get the most out of every kilowatt-hour of electricity you put into your battery, you will need A battery with a higher roundtrip efficiency.
Can Greenio put solar PV on my camper van or motorhome?
Of course, solar panels are a great way to power your motorhomes appliances and entertainment systems such as tv’s, radios and game consoles etc.
If you are interested in this type of service, dont hesitate to contact us for a free quote.
Why Greenio?
Our Expertise
Greenio's friendly experts are always available to answer your questions and help find the right Solar PV solution for you
The Best Engineers
Greenio Engineers are fully qualified with years of experience and knowledge. A forward thinking, professional and friendly company, Greenio ensure only the best electricians join our team.
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One-Stop-Shop
We handle all stages of the process from the quote stage to the installation so you will only need one number to call for any updates or to ask a question
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Customer Service
Our customer service is second to none by design and our customers have gave us 70+ 5 star reviews on google
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Warranty
Not only is all of the equipment installed by Greenio covered by their manufacturers warranty, all our Solar PV installations have a 24 month workmanship guarantee as standard
Interested in a free quote?
Fill in our Solar PV Enquiry Form or Call us on 0800 810 0565
