Solar Panels FAQ
Although solar panels use for buildings was as early as 1973, there are still only around 1 million homes that have solar panels. Working throughout the North West, J Burrow Electrical provides solar panel installation in Lancaster. We can assess your home or commercial property and make the safe installation of solar panels for all clients.
Solar panels are a fantastic option to reduce your carbon footprint and utilise renewable energy in the long-term. Furthermore, with rising energy bills, solar panels are a fantastic method to help reduce energy costs. Solar panel installation is a great way to save money in the long-term and we can provide a full quote prior to installation.
How Do Solar Panels Work?
Solar panels work when they convert light from the Sun into usable electricity and energy. This process is known as the photovoltaic effect. Solar panels contain photovoltaic cells. This absorbs the sunlight when it hits the solar panel and the photons transfer their energy to electrons and causes them to break free. The electrons now move through the solar panel creating an electric current. Solar panel systems then convert this from a direct current (DC) to an alternating current (AC). This allows the current to be used with businesses and homes as well as making it suitable for an electrical grid.
What Are Solar Panels Made Of?
Solar panels are made of semiconductor materials, allowing sunlight to be converted into usable electricity. Whilst silicone is the main material used for this, other parts of the solar panel and its system use various materials. This can include:
- Silicone
- Tempered Glass
- Polymer Backsheet
- Aluminium Frame
- Metal Electrical Contacts
- Sealants
- Busbars
- Inverters
How Much Do Solar Panels Cost In The UK?
The cost of solar panels in the UK varies depending on several factors, including the quality of your solar panels and the system, installation costs, any government incentives, grants or loans you have and finally the size of your actual solar panel system. For domestic properties, solar panel costs can begin at £500, whilst larger systems for industrial use could cost upwards of £10,000. Typically, each panel will cost between £400-£500. This means prices will vary depending on whether you want your entire property powered by solar, or just some of it.
How To Clean Solar Panels?
Cleaning solar panels is extremely important to maximise the efficiency of each solar panel and ensure all sunlight can be absorbed by the semiconducting materials to use for electricity. Any dust or dirt should be removed immediately from solar panels as this could lead to a decrease in energy output. Typically, water and mild detergent will be suitable for most solar panels. However, you should always check with your manufacturer to ensure this is the case and avoid any safety risks.
To avoid cleaning solar panels when they are hot, you should look to clean in the early morning and this should be done a few times a year. If you are worried about the efficiency of your solar panels, you can also choose to have inspections and professional cleaning services to take care of this.
How Effective Are Solar Panels?
Solar panel efficiency is dependent on several different factors. Firstly, they are extremely good at converting sunlight even on cloudy days. Solar panels do not need direct sunlight to work. Electricity is still produced on cloud days however, not at night time. Using a storage system solves this problem so electricity is still available at night.
However, some factors that could lead to inefficient solar panels include solar panels being unclean, due to dirt and dust or having very little sunlight available very day. Whilst solar panels do work without sunlight, the more light they have, the more efficient they will be and the more electricity they generate.
Positioning of your solar panels can also influence their efficiency. It’s important to consider what position in your land will have the most sunlight, as well as what tilt the solar panel should be at.
How Much Energy Do Solar Panels Create?
Solar panel efficiency typically ranges between 15%-22%. This means that a residential solar panel system should generate anything between 10 to 25 kilowatt-hours (kWH) per square metre of solar panels. For example, your fridge or freezer will use around 1 to 2 kWh whilst an oven when switched on would use between 2-5 kwh. 1 solar panel may be able to a assist with lowering energy bills and powering your appliances, but alone it may not be enough to power your entire home. Commercial and Industrial spaces will require a larger solar panel system to power your entire building or land.
Why Could Solar Panels Be Inefficient?
There are several reasons why solar panels could be inefficient. Firstly it could be due to the size of your solar system and the location of your property. If your solar panel system is only of a small size, it won’t generate as much power as a larger system. Similarly, locations that don’t have as much sunlight, won’t generate as much electricity.
Other factors that could contribute to the inefficiency of solar panels include the quality of your panels. If there are issues with your panels, whether this is the actual panel surface, mismatched components or inverter issues, this could all cause your panels to produce less power.
The placement of your solar panels is also important. Installation should always be completed by qualified electricians. They will also identify the optimal orientation and tilt of the solar panel to generate the best efficiency.
Finally, if your solar panels or entire system is ageing, it could potentially degrade over time. Depending on the lifespan of your solar panels, as well as weather conditions and dirt, maintenance of your panels should help with efficiency.
Can You Put Solar Panels on a Slate roof?
Yes, solar panels are suitable for slate roofs. For all roof types, it is important to assess the space you have available and the safest method of installation. Professional installers will make sure solar panel systems are installed safely, as well as being at the optimal tilt for absorbing solar energy.
What Roof Types can Solar Panels be Installed on?
Solar panels are available for installation across nearly all types of roofs. Unless there is a particular issue with the condition of your roof, you should be able to take advantage of solar panel systems. Solar panels are installable on:
- Asphalt Shingle Roofs
- Tile Roofs
- Metal Roofs
- Flat Roofs
- Slate Roofs
- Wood Shake Roofs
- Membrane Roofs
- Composite Roofs
- Green Roofs
- Ceramic roofs
How Much Can You Save Using Solar Panels?
After the initial cost of solar panels, you could save up to £420 per year according to Money Saving Expert. This makes it a great choice if you have the initial funds to install solar panel systems. On top of this, you could get paid for installing solar panels, receiving money for any excess energy you generate, as well as finding any grants that could reduce the cost of installation.
For more information or to make an enquiry for solar panels, contact J Burrow Electrical. Call us on 07766 740 779.