Installing Solar Panels on Your Roof

You’ve probably heard that going green with solar power can cut your energy costs while being kinder to the planet, but you may be wondering about what – besides the solar panels on your roof – going solar actually involves. Many people have questions and assumptions about solar power and how it would work in their own homes, but don’t want to ask for fear of sounding silly. If you don’t understand how solar panels could power your home in the typical UK climate, you’re not alone. These simple answers may answer the common questions that you have about solar panels and the logistics of solar power.

What Does a Solar Energy System Consist of?

The solar panels are the major and most obvious component of a solar pv system. They’re most often mounted on your roof, though there are other arrangements possible if you don’t have a suitable roof to hold them. In addition to the panels, you’ll need an inverter, which transforms the power fed from the panels to the type of electricity you can use in your home. If you chose a grid-tied system rather than an off-grid solar system, you’ll also have an electricity meter to measure the amount of energy your solar panels generate in addition to the meter that measures the amount of electricity you draw from you power supplier.

What’s the Difference Between a Grid-Tied Solar System and an Off-Grid One?

There are two main types of solar systems for generating electricity. An off-grid system is completely separate from the grid that supplies electricity from your supplier. In most cases, it is the sole supply of electricity for the building it supplies. A grid-tied system is more common, especially among homeowners who want to take advantage of the feed in tariff scheme that pays you for the electricity your solar panels generate.

With a grid-tied system, your home remains connected to the electrical grid and draws power from it when your solar panels don’t supply enough to meet your needs. In general, grid-tied systems don’t store energy – they generate it for your immediate use. If the solar panels generate more energy than you can use immediately, the excess is fed back into the grid, and you’ll be paid an additional few pence for every excess kilowatt hour your solar system produces. That’s in addition to the base tariff amount you receive for every kWh of energy your system produces, whether it supplies your power needs or is fed back into the grid.

If you have more questions about whether your home is a good candidate for solar panels, call a local solar installation company and ask. They’re used to questions and will be more than happy to help you make a decision about whether or not solar pv is a good choice for your home.