Solar photovoltaic systems
03 May 2018
Solar panels can help individuals and organisations to reduce energy costs, cut carbon emissions and ultimately, with the right set up, earn you money.
Solar panels
Every hour the sun shines, it sends more energy to Earth than it needs to satisfy global energy needs for an entire year1.
Photovoltaic (PV) systems only require daylight, rather than direct sunlight to generate electricity so they work even on a cloudy day.
What are solar photovoltaic systems?
Solar photovoltaic (PV) systems are often known as solar panels. They directly convert the sun’s light into electricity using solar cells.
Solar panels can help individuals and organisations to reduce energy costs, cut carbon emissions and ultimately, with the right set up, earn you money.
The cost of solar panels is falling rapidly too.
Bloomberg New Energy Finance reported that the average global price of solar power will become cheaper than coal within the next 10 years.
Solar power is anticipated to generate a significant amount of future global electricity production.
It’s no wonder installing PV systems is growing in popularity.
Earning money from solar panels
The
Feed-in Tariff (FIT) scheme is closed to new entrants as of 1 April 2019. However, for those who installed and registered their system before this date, payments will continue to be made at the contracted rate (adjusted annually by RPI) for the remainder of their 20/25 year contract.
For eligible installations, installed and registered since the closure of the FIT scheme, the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) comes into effect from January 2020. Unlike the FIT scheme, generators will only receive payment for surplus energy exported to the grid and the rate will not be set by the government. Instead, rates will be set by, and vary from, supplier to supplier.
Solar panels still pose certain risks
While there are many benefits to having solar panels, there are some risks to consider from both an installation and user point of view. For example, ensuring installed panels do not obstruct or restrict use of roof windows as a means of escape.
To help you manage risks from your PV system, you can read our PV guidance notes on safe installation and maintenance of your solar panels.
1https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/global-warming/solar-power/
