In the last 5 years energy bills have increased by an incredible 114%

FAQ

Ethical Solar FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

What is solar PV?

Solar PV or Photovoltaic panels are solar panels that use light energy to produce electricity.

[back to the top]

Is a planning required to install a PV system?

In England and Wales, changes to permitted development rights for domestic renewable technologies introduced on 6th April 2008 have lifted the requirements for planning permission for Solar Electric panels. However, you will still need permission where:

  • Your panels protrude more then 200mm from the plain of the roof.
  • Are to be placed on the principal elevation facing onto or visible from the highway in buildings in Conservation Areas and World Heritage Sites.
  • Are ground mounted
  • On all systems over 4kW

[back to the top]

How much roof space does a PV system need?

For every 1KWp installed, you will need approximately 7.5m2, a 250w panel takes up 1.7m2

[back to the top]

Do solar panels have to be installed on the roof?

Solar panels can be installed on the roof, on the side of a building, on the ground or on a pole. The most cost effective installation will usually be on a roof, but if roof or shading conditions prevent the use of the roof we can help you review other options

[back to the top]

Do installed solar panels have to face a south?

Facing south at the correct angle will provide the best performance (most units per year). However solar panels can also be installed facing towards the east or west though annual performance figures will decrease significantly. Solar panels should not face north.

[back to the top]

What about cloudy days?

PV solar panels will produce electricity at a reduced rate under cloudy conditions. Severe clouds will interrupt the production of electricity. Your calculations however will be for the weather averaged over the year so cloudy days are included!

[back to the top]

How long will solar installations last?

Solar panels are known to last 40 years or longer. Our installations include a ten year insurance-backed workmanship warranty. Materials come with independent manufacturers warranties – typically six years. The REC PV panel performance warranty will guarantee 90% of rated production for 10 years, and 80% for 25 years; however, experience suggests that 1% reduction every 4 years seems realistic. Solar panels are designed to withstand hail, severe wind and weather conditions assuming proper installation.

[back to the top]

What are the maintenance requirements or other costs for a PV system?

There is little or no maintenance required. You might consider a periodic inspection to ensure that the panels remain clear of leaves, dirt, bird droppings etc. Other than that, unless there is an equipment failure there should be no maintenance required.

[back to the top]

How do the solar panels stand up to hail, wind, hurricanes etc?

Solar panels themselves are built using tempered glass for durability and safety and are designed to withstand hail and high winds (up to197 KM/h). Depending on the wind-load requirements in your area, heavier mounting hardware may be required.

[back to the top]

Will solar panels damage my roof?

Properly installed solar panels will not damage your roof. If your roof is near the end of its expected life, it might be a good idea to consider replacing the roof before adding solar panels, because removing and reinstalling the panels can add to the cost of a roof replacement.

[back to the top]

How long does it take to install a PV system?

A typical residential roof installation can be completed in 2-3 days. The number of panels and type of installation will affect the installation process.

[back to the top]

What are solar inverters?

An inverter is any device that inverts DC (direct current) into AC (alternating current). In a solar installation, an inverter is a centralized device that connects to and manages the performance of the solar panel array; it aggregates the DC power coming from the panels or strings of panels and inverts the DC power into single phase (or three phase) AC power at the correct voltage for delivery into the users electrical system, and provides equipment protection and safety features.

[back to the top]

Will my solar PV system include batteries?

We connect solar electric systems to the national grid, so you don’t need batteries. When solar power exceeds your usage, the electricity is exported to the national grid. When demand exceeds solar production, you will be buying the balance from your electricity supplier. We do also install off-grid systems, where you are still able to claim the Feed in Tariff.

[back to the top]

Can I power my entire building with solar panels and disconnect from the utility company?

Yes you can. In an off-grid installation, you must have batteries, a MPPT charge controller and an inverter – in some cases the batteries will cost nearly as much as the solar panels and only last 6-8 years before replacement becomes necessary. Off-grid solar is achievable, but is very costly and only recommended for locations where there is no grid to connect to. We are now pleased to be able to offer incredibly affordable reconditioned batteries for these systems, ask about this.

[back to the top]

Can I install the solar panel system myself?

In order to be eligible for the clean energy cash back, your system must be installed by an MCS certified installer. Ethical Solar is MCS certified.

[back to the top]

Do I have to pay the whole system cost myself?

The feed-in-tariff (FIT) has replaced all the previously available grants on the basis that you get so well paid for the electricity you generate. We believe that you are much better off paying for the system yourself and thus avoiding the complexities of leasing your roof and not letting other companies profit from your FIT payments. However if there really is no way you can fund the project yourself then for 4kW systems we may be able to find an investor willing to pay for your system and allowing you still have a system that is sustainably installed.

For the occasional project that we really believe in but who may not have the capital available we are happy to look at installs at cost or at less than cost with some kind of profit share built in. Please ask about this.

[back to the top]

What is the feed-in tariff and what are the financial benefits?

The UK faces a legally binding target set by the EU to increase the amount of energy we generate through renewable sources to 15% by 2020.

In response the government has launched the FIT scheme that provides an attractive and on-going supportive payment for households, communities and businesses alike who invest in a small-scale renewable installation. It means that anyone who installs a solar system will be offered a fixed income for every unit of energy their systems generate and an additional income for the excess energy that gets exported. These returns are guaranteed for 25 years, they are tax free and they are index linked. The FIT is designed to offer a 4-8% return on domestic sized investments and a 5-9% return for commercial or community investments. The feed-in tariff along with savings made on electricity bills acts as a strong incentive to invest in solar power.

The overall price for everything you generate (even if you use it yourself) depends on the size of system installed.

A typical domestic system 1-4kW will receive 21p per unit.

A community or small business system between 4-10kW will receive 16.8p per unit.

A larger system between 10-50kW will receive 15.2p per unit.

A solar farm between 50-250kW will receive 12.9p oer unit.

The FIT rate increased on April 1st and it is corrected every year to match inflation. The export price is 3p per unit.

These feed-in tariff rates are expected to apply for all installations that are completed on or before 1st July 2012.

[back to the top]

Who pays for FITs?

The simple answer is you and me, who have to pay a very small carbon levy on our energy bills. The government forces electricity suppliers to pay the owners of solar PV installations their FIT subsidy. This is because the owner is providing a service by generating power for the grid. The total cost of all the generated solar electricity in the UK is added together at the end of the year and then divided between all the suppliers according to their market share.

[back to the top]

I’ve heard that the FIT is going to be reviewed / scrapped is this true?

The FIT scheme was reviewed on 31st October 2011 when it was announced that tariff rates would be reduced. These changes meant that anyone installing a solar system beyond the 12th December 2011 would have to register for the lower tariff payments. DECC was however taken to court for making cuts to the tariff at such short notice. The High Court announced that their actions were unlawful. Subsequently it is highly likely that the previous tariff will be reinstated and apply to all installations completed on or before the 3rd March.

Installations after the 3rd of March will recieve the lower, but still lucrative tariff, of 21p per unit. A further cut to the tariff is expected to apply to all entrants to the scheme installing after the 1st July 2012 as well.

The outcome of the court case in December means that the Government does not have the power to reduce FIT rates retrospectively, or in the middle of a consultation in the future – and was the whole reason behind the court case in the first place.

Any future changes to the FIT rates will only affect new entrants to the scheme. A further review is expected to come into play in the spring of 2012. This review is likely to introduce new rules ensuring a household has an efficiency of grade C or above before they can install solar panels. It is also possible for the feed-in tariff rates to be cut further.

[back to the top]

I am worried that the government will scrap the FIT scheme, what do you think will happen?

We believe this to be highly unlikely. A little background will hopefully reassure you….

The FIT scheme is part of the 2008 Climate Change Act. The act calls on government to cut emissions by at least 34% by 2020, and 80% by 2050, against 1990 levels.

In addition, the UK have a separate EU target which stipulates 15% of all our energy must originate from renewable sources by 2020 (In 2005 it was only 1.3%). Failure to hit this legally binding target could have serious consequences: legal action before the European court of justice and heavy fines. Government therefore has a great motivation to support renewable energy for the foreseeable future.

The government does not actually pay for the FIT – it is passed onto electricity suppliers and so there is limited political pressure to remove the FIT.

Banks, investment trusts, pension schemes together with large influential land owners such as the Royal family have invested in Solar PV. This, in itself suggests that Solar is a good bet.

Having said all of the above, of course nothing is certain but we would certainly put our money on the FIT payments being honored.

[back to the top]

How much will an installation cost?

The cost of an installation depends on the complexity of each job and is why we always come out to do a survey. Significant factors are: the size of the system; panels chosen; roof orientation; types of tiles; and, any roof-strengthening work or re-wiring that needs to be done. If you are interested to find out the cost of an installation on your property please don’t hesitate to get in touch to arrange your free non-obligatory survey.

[back to the top]

How long will it take to earn back the initial cost of the system (return on investment)?

This is a complex subject as it is dependent on a number of factors, such as the price of electricity, how much sunshine falls in your location and your income tax bracket. In Bristol a payback under 8 years is currently possible (based on a 4 kWp installation).

In other words the system will have paid for itself in less than 8 years, leaving you with over 17 years to enjoy a tax-free income that is linked to RPI inflation.

[back to the top]

How much energy is likely to be exported?

This depends on how much electricity you use and when you use it. There’s currently no meter to show how much is being exported so generally you’ll be paid by your supplier a default payment of 3p on 50% of your total annual generation total.

[back to the top]

My roof is West facing. Is it still worth getting panels?

An unshaded East or West-facing roof, will only experience between a 10-14% yield reduction compared with the very best orientation which is due south and around 35° roof pitch. It’s entirely up to you whether you still think it worthwhile, but we can work out your expected income in a quote.

A roof with an orientation of South-West or South-East will only lose approximately 5% in annual yield.

[back to the top]

My main concern with a solar investment is the possible complications and costs should I need to claim on any of the guarantees involved with the products or workmanship?

All of our installations come with a 10 year insurance backed warranty as standard from the CPA (Consumer Protection Association). In the unlikely event of you having a problem and us not being around, the CPA will find you an accredited installer to sort out any problems free of charge.

With regard to our products, we can of course only provide the warranty that the manufacturer provides. For this reason we look very closely at the manufacturers we recommend. Our Directors have visited factories where our panels are produced.

One significant factor when choosing manufacturers is the type of installation their products have been used on. Large banks and investment institutions research all the materials used on their multi million pound projects to ensure they will work properly for the duration of their investment. All the products we use, from our solar panels, to our mounting system, have been used on such large-scale projects.

All the panels we install come with 25 year performance linked warranties.

In addition to choosing the best manufacturers we also test every single panel before it goes onto a system.

In the unlikely event of you having a warranty issue, we will gladly form the bridge between you and the manufacturer.

[back to the top]

What if I plan on moving house?

You could include your PV system in the sale of your house. Take for example a 4 kWp installation – you will be selling your home with a passive income of around £1600 a year tax free and index linked together with cheaper electricity bills. This should make your house more attractive and potentially more valuable if marketed correctly.

Alternatively, you could maintain ownership of the panels and allow the new homeowner to befit from free electricity, whilst you benefit from the FIT payments. This would require you to convince the new buyer to allow you to lease their roof.

In theory you could take the panels with you to a new property but in reality this would be impractical and expensive.

[back to the top]

What is important when choosing a panel?

We believe there are a number of important factors to consider when choosing a panel.

Outdoor test data….

A solar panel is rated under STC (standard test conditions, 1000 W/m2, 25°C and 1.5 Atmospheres). This means that all 250 Watt panels should produce 250W of electricity in a laboratory under STC. Unfortunately, the real word does not operate under STC. In the UK the temperature of a panel may range from -20°C all the way up to 70°C, whilst sunlight intensity varies hugely between seasons.

What we really want to know is how a panel will perform under UK climatic conditions. To find this out we use outdoor test data. There is a test bed in Germany (a very similar climate to the UK) where the actual yield in units of electricity is measured between a wide range of leading solar panel manufacturers over a year. The results from the latest Photon International test can be viewed here.

We use this information to help us select the best panels for your installation.

It is not only the performance of a panel that is important. We also want to make sure they will stand the test of time. To that end it is important to work with respected solar brands, particularly ones used on large-scale projects. Large banks and investment institutions fund such projects and conduct detailed research to ensure their panels will work properly for the duration of their investment. All the panels we install come with a 25 year performance linked warranty and 10 year insurance.

[back to the top]

0117 314 9040