WHAT CAN IT BE USED FOR?
The power produced by a Solar PV system contributes directly to the electrical demand of the building and in most installations substitutes electricity that would otherwise have been drawn from the National Grid.If at any point more electricity is being generated than the building is using, the excess will be exported to the grid and payment can usually be received for this. In instances where the building is not grid connected, surplus electricity is stored in batteries.
The size of a solar PV system is referred to in terms of power output in full sunlight, known as its kilowatt peak (kWp), and is usually governed by the available roof area and budget. A typical 2 kWp system, occupying around 20m2 of roof space, would generate between 1500-1800 kWh of electricity per annum, which can be up to 50% of the consumption of an average household. Having solar panels is like having a mini power station on your roof to power appliances such as fridges and televisions. This lightens the load on our electricity infrastructure - the expensive network of poles and wires that transmits electricity from the nation’s large, centralised coal and gas fired stations to where it’s needed.
Solar Power
What is Solar Power?
A solar PV system is an energy system which directly converts energy harnessed from the sun into electricity.
This electricity is used throughout a building in the same way as conventional electricity imported from the grid. (PV requires only daylight, not direct sunlight to generate electricity and so the system generates electricity whatever the weather).
The average UK home could generate 60% of the power needed to supply its electricity - providing it is used efficiently. It's more than possible that properties can achieve 100% generation dependant on the size of system installed and their individual energy requirements.
