Điện mặt trời Bám Lưới

What are solar panels?

Solar electricity panels, also known as photovoltaics (PV), capture the sun's energy and convert it into electricity that you can use in your home.

Solar PV panels are made from photovoltaic cells, grouped together in modules.

Since solar energy is a renewable resource, by installing solar panels you can generate your own renewable electricity.

How do solar panels (PV) cells work?

Solar PV cells are made from layers of semi-conducting material, usually silicon.

When light shines on the material, electrons are knocked loose, creating a flow of electricity. The cells don’t need direct sunlight to work, they can work on a cloudy day. However, the stronger the sunshine, the more electricity generated.

Solar PV cells are grouped into modules, and modules usually grouped into solar arrays – modules and arrays come in a variety of shapes and sizes.

Most PV systems are made up of panels that fit on top of your roof, but you can also install on the ground, or fit solar tiles.

The electricity generated is direct current (DC), whereas the electricity you use for household appliances is alternating current (AC). An inverter is installed along with the system to convert DC electricity to AC.

Are solar panels right for me?

Space is a key consideration. As a general guide, a roof area of 10m2 to 20m2 would be enough to delivery between 20% and 45% of the typical household’s electricity needs.

This roof space will ideally face south, unshaded, and at a pitch angle of about 30 or 40 degrees.

East- or west-facing roofs could still be considered, but north-facing roofs are not recommended.

 Are there any nearby buildings, trees or chimneys that would shade your roof? If so, this will have a negative impact on the performance of your system.

Solar PV installations are classed as permitted developments, but always check with your local authority before installing in case there are any limits or restrictions applicable.

Benefits of solar electricity

Getting the most out of your solar PV system

Reduce your electricity use

During daylight hours, you’ll be generating electricity even on cloudy days, but during the evening you’ll be using electricity from the mains. By reducing your electricity use can help lower your bills and reduce your carbon footprint. Remember to turn devices off and avoid standby, and see our Energy saving quick wins for more tips to reduce your energy use.

Use more electricity during the day

As your PV system will be working at its peak during daylight hours, it’s a good idea to think about reorganising domestic activities such as washing, dishwashing and ironing. If you are home most of the day, then this will be easier to do, but if you work during the day then try setting up timers for your dishwasher and washing machine.

Insulate your home

If you have electric heating, programming your timers to come on during daylight hours will help you save money on your electricity bills. To keep that heat in your home for longer, insulate your loft and walls. Draught-proof your doors and windows as well to prevent draughts.

Combine with other renewable systems

You can combine PV with other space-heating renewable technologies such as heat pumps, solar thermal panels and wind turbines. These technologies work well with each other as PV can be set up to help power a heat pump or several of these systems can feed into a thermal store.

Solar tiles and slates

Solar tiles are designed to be used in place of ordinary roof tiles. A system made up of solar tiles will typically cost about twice as much as an equivalent panel system.

Solar tile systems are not normally as cost-effective as panel systems, and are usually only considered where panels are not considered appropriate for aesthetic or planning reasons.

Export payments

With any domestic PV system there will be times when the electricity you generate is more than you can use or store, so the surplus will be exported to the grid to be used by somebody else. If you want to be paid for exporting, you need to make sure you’re getting an export payment. If you were able to claim the Feed-in Tariff, then you will be getting export payments as part of that. If not, you need to find an energy company that will pay you for this surplus.

In Great Britain, the  Smart Export Guarantee guarantees you payment for the electricity you generate.

In Northern Ireland, you can get paid for any surplus you export – usually estimated on the basis of how much you generate. Contact Action Renewables for more information.

Costs and savings

Following the closure of the Feed-in Tariff scheme to new solar PV system applicants in March 2019, the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) will be introduced to provide financial support to small-scale renewable energy generators for the electricity they export to the grid. As shown in the tables below, the savings from solar PV with the SEG are considerably higher than without it.

Visit our Smart Export Guarantee and Feed-In Tariffs page for more information about the SEG which applies to solar PV and other renewable energy generators.