SOLAR PV SYSTEMS

WHAT IS THE WORKING SOLAR PV PANELS?

Numerous cells composed of layers of semi-conducting material—silicon, most commonly—make up a solar PV panel. This substance produces an electrical flow when exposed to light.

The cells can function even on cloudy days and don't require direct sunlight to do so. Nonetheless, more electricity is produced in response to increased sunshine.


Solar PV systems consist of many panels, each of which can produce approximately 355W of energy when exposed to intense sunshine. Usually, a system with fifteen or so panels produces direct current (DC) electricity. An inverter is built in conjunction with the system to convert DC electricity to AC since domestic appliances require alternating current (AC) electricity. You can utilise this electricity within your house or export it to the grid.

Do I Need Solar Panels?

Space is an important factor. The typical system size is 4.2kWp, requiring around 25m2 of roof space. A roof that faces south and is not shaded is best for producing the most electricity. North-facing roofs are not advised, although rooftops facing east or west may still be taken into consideration. About 15-20% less energy will be produced by a system facing east or west than by one looking directly south.

Any structures, trees, or high structures close by may shade your roof, which would impair the efficiency of your system.

It is ideal to find an area that is not shadowed, although shadowing is occasionally inevitable. Using "optimisers," certain solar PV systems can reduce the effects of shadowing. Apart from the fact that they provide more opportunities for monitoring, optimising without shading is neither necessary nor advantageous as they won't provide extra energy.

Solar PV

DO YOU OWN ENOUGH SPACE?

SHADOW ROOFS

MAINTENANCE

Solar PV systems need little maintenance. Keep an eye on nearby trees to ensure they don’t begin to overshadow your system.

After installation, your installer should provide written instructions for any upkeep you should perform to make sure everything is operating as it should. This should provide important troubleshooting tips and information on the primary inverter fault signals. After the system is installed, your installer should ideally show you how to use it.

You can anticipate what to expect and be aware of potential problems by closely monitoring your system and the quantity of electricity it generates, as well as the surrounding weather.
Although the inverter will probably need to be replaced at some point during this time, at a cost that will depend on the manufacturer and system size, the panels should endure for at least 25 years. Certain inverters can send you an email alert in the event that the system fails and include online monitoring features.

The majority of inverters come with minimum guarantees of five years, which are frequently extended to fifteen years. Ask your installer about the potential benefits and life expectancy of an extended warranty. A 15-year warranty may end up costing nearly as much as a new inverter, so make sure to weigh your options carefully.