Solar Panels - Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Feed in Tariff?
In April 2010, to encourage the installation of PV solar panels, the government introduced the feed in tariff (FIT). Under this scheme there are 2 payments:
A payment of 41.3p is made
for every unit of electricity generated from PV solar panels (even if this electricity is used by the householder).
An additional payment of 3p is then made if this electricity is fed into the national grid.
The Energy Savings Trust has shown that, on average, a house uses 50% of the electricity it generates and exports 50% to the national grid. This means householders are paid 41.3p for half the units of electricity produced and 44.3p for the other half. In practice utility companies normally average these payments and pay 42.8p for every unit of electricity generated. The combined feed in tariff is therefore 42.8p for every unit of electicity generated.
How much does it cost to install PV solar panels?
Installation costs depend on the number of photovoltaic panels to be fitted and local factors such as the size of the building on which they are fitted and whether scaffolding is required.
How long does it take to install PV solar panels?
A typical installation takes from 3-5 days.Are subsidies available for installing PV solar panels?
No. In April 2010 the government stopped subsidising the installation of solar panels. Instead they started to pay a subsidy for every unit of electricity generated. This subsidy is called a Feed in tariff.Are subsidies available for power generation from PV solar panels?
Yes. There is a subsidy available for generating power from PV solar panels. There is an additional subsidy if the power generated is fed into the national grid. This subsidy is called a feed in tariff.Are PV solar panels really green?
Generating electricity from photovoltaic solar panels emits no pollution, produces no greenhouse gases and uses no fossil fuels.
How long do PV solar panels last?
Approximately 25-30 years.Are the initial production costs of PV solar panels recovered?
Yes. Analysis shows that the initial cost of manufacturing PV solar panels is recovered in the first 2-4 years of the microgeneration scheme. Even with ground installations the cost of construction materials such as concrete bases are recovered satisfactorily.Do PV solar panels heat water?
Not directly. They simply produce electricity from light. The electricity produced can of course be used to heat water if required. PV solar panel technology is different from traditional solar panels that simply circulate water through pipes exposed to sunlight to heat water directly.Are there maintenance costs with PV solar panels?
No, there are no ongoing maintenance costs with photovoltaic solar panels.How can I use the electricity I generate from PV solar panels?
You can use it for any purpose you like. The power you generate feeds into your electricity supply and is used to operate your lights, heating, appliances etc. When your home is not using all the power you generate the excess is fed into the national grid.How much money can I make from generating electricity from PV solar panels?
For each kwh (kilowatt hour) of electricity you generate you will be paid 41.3 pence. For each kwh you feed into the national grid you will be paid an extra 3.0 pence. It is widely assumed that 50% of what you generate will be fed into the national grid so the average payment for each kwh of electricity you produce is 42.8p.
Can I use PV solar power to provide mains power to my home?
Yes.
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