Solar Power
Electricity can be generated at your own home using Solar Panels. Solar Panels, also known as photovoltaics (PV), capture the sun’s energy and convert it into electricity to use in your home. Installing solar panels lets you use, free, renewable, low carbon electricity. One of main components of Solar Panels is silicon made from silica which is abundant on the planet.
Our purpose here is to give you the information you need to help you decide on whether Solar Panels are the right investment for you.
From personal experience I have been happy with my investment in Solar Panels, I have had them on my house since 2014 and, in that time, they have generated more than 40 megawatts (MW) of electricity. So happy that I have, also, had them installed on my office roof in Sutton Scotney.
Sources of Information
Here are some sources of information:
The energy saving trust has comprehensive information on Solar Panels and includes an indication of cost around £7,000 for a typical 3.5KW system.
If you have the space you can mount solar panels on a frame in your garden or on a suitable outbuilding rather than on the roof of your house.
There is a case study on a couple who have done several energy upgrades to their house but it does include installing Solar Panels. This includes using excess electricity to heat water via an immersion heater and, also, to charge an electric vehicle.
The Centre for Sustainable Energy produce home energy fact sheets. Scroll down the page to the section headed Renewable and low-carbon energy where there are downloads for Solar PVand for Getting the best from your solar panels. Our focus here is on solar electricity generation but there is a leaflet available here regarding Solar hot water.
In the same section on the Centre for Sustainable Energy there is also a leaflet on Battery storage. I personally have added battery storage to my system and found that helps to maximise the use of the electricity generated, you will have days where you are totally self-sufficient.
The Energy Saving Trust have advice on Solar panels in the form of answers to questions you may have about solar panels.
The Environment Centre run Hitting the Cold Spots on behalf of Hampshire County Council, they are available to give free energy advice and advice on available grants. You can call them on 0800 804 8601 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm).
Planning Permission
The rules as they stand in June 2024 for Planning Permission for Solar Panels will generally allow Solar Panels as a permitted development but please check the current rules. For installation on a building these are the rules.
If the panels are to be mounted in the grounds and not on a building then the rules are here. The array of panels is limited to 9 square metres.
If you are unsure then the local planning department (which for South Wonston is Winchester City Council) will always help you with any questions on planning permission.
A good installer should be aware of the planning permission rules.
Finding an Installer
The Energy Saving Trust have a tool called Go Renewablethat enables you see what technologies are recommended for your home. At the moment it cannot link you to installers in Hampshire (as of June 2024), but should do in the future.
There are a couple of accredited sites for finding installers:
MCSwho set standards for low-carbon energy technology products, contractors and their installations.
Trustmarka Government Endorsed Quality Scheme for consumers having work done in or around their home. They have information on financial support for Energy Efficiency Government Schemes where you may be able to get a grant.
When looking at installing Solar Panels make sure you know how much electricity you use each year and what you are paying for it. You will want to know how much money you will save by having solar installed. Any reputable supplier would be able to do the calculations for you but do check their assumptions because, after all, they are looking to sell you the panels.
Funding
Under the Energy Company Obligation there is some help for people in Social Housing or claim certain benefits. Details can be found on the above link.
A householder can get paid for any electricity that they generate and export to the grid, this is called the Smart Export Guarantee. Unfortunately, there is no set rate for this, it is down to energy companies to decide what to pay. The best Smart Export Guarantee rates can be seen here. Make sure you read the terms and conditions to ensure the rate is not linked to any obligations that do not suit your circumstances.