Generate Your Own Electricity!
Steyning based electricians Premier Electrics explains to us how we can generate our own electricity and even get paid for any excess electricity we don’t use!
Q. How much power do we use in the home?
Everyone consumes energy, but sometimes it is hard to know just how much power is really being used in the home.
Domestic electrical usage is measured in kilowatt hours (kWh) and the best way to understand what this means is to look at what a kWh does in everyday life. A kWh of electricity can provide: 1200 electric shaves, Drying your hair 15 times, Listening to 15 CD’s.
An average 3-bedroom house uses between 9-10kWh per day (Source: Energy Savings Trust)
Q. What is a Solar Photovoltaic (PV) system?
A Solar Photovoltaic system (or Solar PV as it is commonly known) is a renewable technology which utilises free energy from the sun to generate electricity. The electricity produced by Solar PV can be used to drive anything from an appliance to a light bulb that is usually powered by the mains electrical supply.
Q. How does Solar PV work?
Solar PV relies on daylight to generate power through the use of photovoltaic cells within roof mounted panels
(modules). These modules are generally fixed to a roof and connected by cables into an inverter. This converts the DC electricity produced by the modules to AC (the same as the electricity that comes from the National Grid) which is either consumed within the property or sold back to the power supplier.
Q. How ‘green’ is Dimplex Solar PV?
Dimplex is a renewable energy source that does not require the burning of fossil fuels to generate electricity and does not leave a carbon footprint as it creates no carbon dioxide during operation. For each kWh of electrical energy generated using a fossil fuel, about 1.5lb (0.68kg) of CO2 is released into the atmosphere and the average person uses around 600-800 kWh of energy every month. Dimplex Solar PV makes no noise, emits no pollutants, creates no waste and uses no fuel, meaning it is a VERY green energy supply.
Q. What is the life expectancy of a Dimplex Solar PV module?
Dimplex Solar PV modules have a life span of over 25 years guaranteed, but should last much longer since there are no moving parts.
Q. What happens to the electricity produced by solar modules that is not used in my house?
With a ‘Grid-connected’ system, any excess power generated is fed back into the electrical supply Grid.
Q. Can I sell the electricity I generate back to the power supplier?
Most electricity suppliers will pay for power fed into the Grid (feed-in) from domestic Solar PV systems. The easiest way to do this is by signing up to a ‘Buy Back’ or ‘Feed-in Tariff’ scheme with your power supplier. There are two main types of tariff available:
Generation: You are paid for all of the electricity that your solar PV system generates even if you consume it in your home at 41.3 pence per kWh.
Export: You are paid for just the electricity that is exported back to the Grid and not for any electricity you have consumed at 44.3 pence per kWh guaranteed fr 25 years.
Q. What happens when there is little or no sunlight, e.g. during winter months?
Solar PV modules do produce more electricity on brighter days, however sunlight is not a necessity. Even in the winter months when the sun is lower or the skies are overcast, Solar PV modules can still produce some electricity. The output will just be lower.
Q. Will planning permission be required to install Solar PV modules on the roof of my house?
In some circumstances, you may need planning permission to install Solar PV modules. This may be if you live in a listed building or conservation area. You should always check with your Local Authority before purchasing and installing a solar PV system. A flat roof installation will always require planning and a structural engineers report, due to the effects of wind pressure, etc.
Q. What is the return on the investment?
A typical 2 kWh system will pay for your electricity used and give you up to £2-300 per year payback for 25 years ‘no more electricty bills’.
For more information about Solar Photovoltaic systems please call Neville on 01903 814815.
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