How can solar work for you?

If you have lots of questions about solar energy and how it can work for you, you might find some quick answers to common questions below.  Otherwise, you can read more in-depth about solar energy.

Click the questions below to reveal the answers.

• What is solar energy?
  • Solar energy is produced by harnessing the radiation from the sun through solar panels and converting it into electricity for your lights and appliances, or for heating your hot water. It is environmentally friendly and sustainable. And it's free.
• What happens when it's not sunny?
  • Solar panels will work on cloudy days - it only needs to be light for it to work. The panels are therefore positioned on your property in an unshaded position for optimum daylight hours, usually a south-facing roof if you have it, but east and west work too.
• How much will it cost?
  • This depends on the system you choose.  However, for a domestic household the average cost for a solar thermal hot water system is between £4,000 - £6,000 and for a domestic solar PV system between £6,000 and £10,000.
  • However, if you pay for solar power up front or by using a loan, with your savings and the government cashback scheme (see What is the feed-in tariff?) you'll be able to put this towards your investment costs.
    You can discuss your needs further with Solar Power GB on 01376 440 000 or send us an email
• What savings can I make?
  • You can make financial and environmental savings.
  • An average household can cut its hot water energy bills by at least 60% by using solar power
  • According to the Energy Savings Trust, a typical home solar PV can save the planet one tonne of CO2 (carbon dioxide) emissions per year. In addition, you'll be paid for the solar energy you produce. See What is the feed-in tariff?
  • If you use energy saving appliances you could save more. You can also get lots of solar powered gadgets.
• How does solar help the environment?
  • The fossil fuels currently used to provide your energy (coal, oil and natural gas) are running out, and produce carbon dioxide when burnt for energy. This causes global warming and upsets the ecosystem. Solar power uses energy from the sun. It is free, renewable and does not produce CO2.
• How does solar energy work?
  • Solar PV for electricity converts the sun's radiation through solar panels called photovoltaic arrays which can be placed on the ground, on the roof or on the wall. These contain semi-conducting material, usually silicon, PV cells. Sunlight creates an electric field across the layers as the silicon releases electrons.
  • An inverter converts this direct current (DC) to alternating current (AC) for use on your electrical appliances.
  • Solar thermal gathers sunlight via panels (or collectors) which heat a liquid. This is transferred to your water. It is sometimes heated further by your conventional system, but drastically reduces the use of your boiler.
• How does solar help the environment?
  • The fossil fuels currently used to provide your energy (coal, oil and natural gas) are running out, and produce carbon dioxide when burnt for energy. This causes global warming and upsets the ecosystem. Solar power uses energy from the sun. It is free, renewable and does not produce CO2.
• What is the feed-in tariff?
  • The government has legislated that energy producers buy green energy from those producing it. If you install solar power, you will be paid not only for what you use, but any extra you put back into the grid for others to use.
  • This works out at 41.3p per kWh (kilowatt hour, one unit of electricity). You receive an extra 3p for every unit you don't use - an estimated 50% of the total energy you produce! Considering fossil fuel electricity can cost upwards of 13p per kWh, it offers big savings and a good return on your investment.
  • The amount you are rewarded depends on the kilowatts of power your panels produce and size of the system installed.
  • The feed-in tariff payment covers England, Scotland and Wales, but not Northern Ireland.