We’ve all seen the house at the end of the street with the solar panels on the roof, sitting there in the overcast British summer, it can’t be generating any power.
Right?
Wrong
Solar panels produce a significant amount of electricity when there’s ambient light, even on a cloudy English summer day or a foggy English winters afternoon!
What is solar energy?
The panels work by allowing photons (light particles), to knock electrons free from atoms in the solar panel, generating a flow of electricity. This goes straight from your roof into the electrical grid.
Sounds simple?
From a scientific viewpoint, it isn’t!
From a consumer viewpoint IT IS!
Once a qualified electrician has fitted and switched on the panels energy begins to be generated, and continues until there is no sunlight (so night time!)
How Can It Save You Money?
So how can a savvy home/business owner or landlord take advantage of energy that is ‘free’, limitless and even works in the rain?
There are many ways to use solar panels to save money, the two main ways are through:
- Generation: your energy supplier could pay you a set amount for each unit or kWh of electricity that is generated through the panels.
And
- Exportation: Your energy supplier could pay you a rate for each unit you export back into the national electricity grid, effectively selling any electricity you generate but don’t use yourself.
Beyond this, within 7 years it is typically expected that you will start to see an expected return on investment of over 10%. While this may not seem like a lot, it is money being generated from nothing but sunlight, and while you won’t be able to retire on it, it could amount of £1000’s
Who is solar suitable for?
Solar is suitable for both domestic homes and commercial businesses. The technology is becoming more efficient every year, and experts predict now is the ideal time to upgrade to solar panels, so you can start seeing the benefits from this ‘shining’ example of technology straight away.
There is also a side benefit for businesses or landlords, solar panels COULD be tax deductible for your business!
If you would like more information about solar power, the money it could save you or your business and if it’s right for your home one of our talented engineers would be happy to talk you through the process and help you select the solution that’s right for you