Energy Saving Solutions

Solar Panels (PV)

Generate cheap, green electricity from sunlight.
Solar panel electricity systems, also known as solar photovoltaics (PV), capture the sun's energy using photovoltaic cells. These cells don't need direct sunlight to work - they can still generate some electricity on a cloudy day. The cells convert the sunlight into electricity, which can be used to run household appliances and lighting.

The benefits of solar electricity

  1. Cut your electricity bills: sunlight is free, so once you've paid for the initial installation your electricity costs will be reduced.
  2. Get paid for the electricity you generate: the government’s feed in tariffs pay you for the electricity you generate, even if you use it.
  3. Sell electricity back to the grid: if your system is producing more electricity than you need, or when you can't use it, you can sell the surplus back to the grid. Read more about feed-in tariffs and selling electricity.
  4. Cut your carbon footprint: solar electricity is green, renewables energy and doesn't release any harmful carbon dioxide (CO2) or other pollutants. A typical home solar PV system could save over a tonne of CO2 per year - that's more than 30 tonnes over its lifetime.
  5. If your system is eligible for the feed in tariff scheme it could generate savings and income of around £670 per year - you will get paid for both the electricity you generate and use, and what you don't use and export to the grid.

*this is based on the proposed 21p/kWh rate in the UK Government’s solar FiTS review consultation.

How do solar panels (PV) cells work?
PV cells are made from layers of semi-conducting material, usually silicon. When light shines on the cell it creates an electric field across the layers. The stronger the sunshine, the more electricity is produced.  Groups of cells are mounted together in panels or modules that can be mounted on your roof.
The power of a PV cell is measured in kilowatts peak (kWp). That's the rate at which it generates energy at peak performance in full direct sunlight during the summer. PV cells come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Most PV systems are made up of panels that fit on top of an existing roof, but you can also fit solar tiles.

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 around twice as much as an equivalent panel system, although you will save the money you would have spent on roof tiles or slates. 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.

Costs
An average system is 3 kWp and will cost around £10,000 (including VAT at 5%). Most domestic PV systems cost around £3,000 to £3,500 per kWp installed, though small systems cost proportionately more. Costs vary between installers, so it is important to get several quotes. Other factors are:

  1. the more electricity the system can generate, the more it costs but the more it could save
  2. larger systems are usually more cost-effective than smaller systems (up to 4 kWp)
  3. PV panels are all around the same price per kWp, but PV tiles cost much more than a typical system made up of panels
  4. panels built into a roof are more expensive than those that sit on top.

Savings
A 3 kWp system can generate over 2,500 kilowatt hours of electricity a year - that's around three quarters of a typical household's electricity needs - and will save over a tonne of carbon dioxide every year,
If your system is eligible for the Feed- in tariff scheme it could generate savings and income of around £670 per year - you will get paid for both the electricity you generate and use, and what you don't use and export to the grid.
*this is based on the proposed 21p/kWh rate in the UK Government’s solar Fits review consultation.

Maintenance
Solar PV needs little maintenance - you'll just need to keep the panels relatively clean and make sure trees don't begin to overshadow them. The panels should last 25 years or more, but the inverter is likely to need replacing some time during this period, at a current cost of around £1,000.

Heat Pumps

Heat pumps are effective solutions to heating and cooling applications for all types of buildings, domestic, commercial and retail premises including hotels and residential complexes.

This well-proven technology has been in use for decades and Heat Pumps are at work all over the world providing safe, reliable heating and cooling at affordable prices.

Reserves of conventional fossil fuels are finite and emissions of Carbon Dioxide and other greenhouse gases add increasingly to the effects of climate change. As a low carbon technology, heat pumps can significantly reduce the UK’s Carbon Dioxide emissions.

Where Heat Pumps are used for heating, they are capable of highly cost-efficient energy applications because they tap into a limitless supply of clean, pollution-free heat – either the surrounding air or heat captured in the ground – all you pay for is the energy to transport that heat, and in some applications, most of this energy can be reclaimed, too.

 Feed in Tariff Scheme

Info to come.

Loft Insulation

Info to come.