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Solar PV

Introduction to Solar PV

Solar PV (photovoltaic) systems are becoming increasingly popular in the UK. This is due to a number of reasons: the introduction of the Feed-in tariff (FIT), the rising cost of electricity, the maintenance-free operation and the ease of integrating into the existing structure of the house. There are a number of ways of integrating PV into homes: above or on-roof systems; in-roof/integrated systems; tile imitation systems; flat roof and ground mounted systems.

Benefits of Solar PV

  • High reliability - No moving parts that can fail.

  • Generally maintenance-free operation.

  • Can reduce electricity bills as well as providing an additional, tax free, income stream.

  • Solar energy is free and reasonably predictable

  • Grid-connected systems can be as small or as large as is suitable or wanted as there will still be a grid connection feeding the property.

Example Solar PV System

The below details are for a sample solar PV system. It assumes a house with a suitable sized, unshaded and south facing roof.

System rating 2.82 kWp
Total array area 20 m2
Typical system cost £ 13,000
Estimate of annual energy produced 2,400 kWh
Equivalent energy to running a 60W laptop for 4.6 years
Annual CO2 saved 1,013 kg
Proportion of average households electricity produced 33%
Likely return on investment 7-8%
Likely total annual financial benefit (FITs and energy savings) £ 1,040

 

What next?

  1. Start a Solar PV enquiry with Cambridge Solar by visiting our Solar PV Enquiry Page.

  2. Contact Cambridge Solar on {businessPhone1} or using our Enquiry Form.

  3. Have a look at our Solar PV Frequently Asked Questions page

  4. Browse our Solar PV section in our Microgeneration Information Centre