Solar PV FAQ
For more in-depth answers to any of the questions below please Contact Cambridge Solar.
What will solar PV cost me?
For a standard domestic system we would normally install a system that is between 2 and 4 kWp. This would cost you between around £8,000 and £15,000. Generally solar pv systems will offer you a return on investment of between around 8-12% and offer a payback period of around 9-11 years.
How does solar PV work?
On a simple level solar panels convert light into electricity. This electricity can then be used in your home or exported to the grid. This is all done automatically, when the sun is shining you use power from your panels, when it is evening you continue using power from the grid.
What do I need in order to install solar PV?
You need an area (normally on a roof, but ground morunted system are fine too) that has little shading and is facing roughly south. You generally need at least 15 m2 of available area.
What is the Feed-in Tariff?
The feed-in tariff is a government scheme that rewards homeowners for any renewable electricity they produce. You could earn over £1,000 per year from the feed-in tariff by installing a solar PV system on your home. Find out more on our feed-in tariff page.
How does the feed-in tariff work?
The energy you generate using solar is measured and you are rewarded for 100% of it whether you use it at home or export it.
Do I need planning permission?
Most of the time you do not need planning permission – installing solar panels is considered permitted development. You do need planning permission if you have a listed building, if you are installing a ground mounted system, if the panels protrude from the roof surface by over 200mm and you might need it if you live in a conservation area. If in doubt the best thing to do is approach your local planning officer or contact Cambridge Solar.
Do solar PV panels produce hot water?
No solar PV panels only produce electricity. Solar thermal collectors produce hot water. Find out more about solar thermal.
How long will the system last?
Solar PV systems are designed to last at least 25 years. There are no moving parts and little maintenance required and generally little to go wrong. The weak point of the system in the inverter which could need replacing once over the life of the system. At today’s prices inverter replacement would cost between around £1,000 - £1,500.
What gets installed?
We install everything required for your PV system to be working perfectly when we handover. This includes a mounting system for the panels to fix to, the solar panels themselves, and inverter to convert from DC to AC electricity and a generation meter to measure how much electricity you generate.
How do I get paid?
Your electricity supplier will contact you once every three months to ask for a generation meter reading. They will then pay you based on this.
