Here in the UK, around 30% of the nation's carbon dioxide is produced in providing energy for domestic homes. For most of us, the single biggest thing we can do to reduce our carbon dioxide emissions from our home is to fit a solar PV system.

Chelsfield Solar has fitted several hundred solar PV systems across the SE of the UK. These systems can be fitted over the top of an existing roof, or they can be integrated within the roof covering when a roof is first built or is being replaced.

To give you an idea, a standard 3-4 bed house can fit around a 2kWp system on their roof - although this does depend on the roof design.

Typical Installation

Solar PV systems can be installed on pitched or flat unshaded roofs or ground mounted. Typically, the PV is secured on a southerly facing pitched roof aspect - East-West still work well albeit with a reduced output but northerly is not recommended. The PV is connected to an inverter, which converts electricity from DC to useable AC, and this is normally situated in the loft area or cupboard space. You will then have one cable from the inverter to the fuseboard area which is routed in the most inconspicuous way possible.

For further information and to initially ascertain whether your roof is suitable for solar PV please see our Is your roof suitable page.

Electrical

The electrical side of the installation is covered by Part P of the Building Regulations. Chelsfield Solar are NIC/EIC approved contractors which means we will arrange Building Control Part P approval on your behalf.

Structural

The structural side of Building Regulations (Part A) relates to the weight which is to be added to the roof in comparison to the weight of the roof covering. Following the site survey, we carry out a basic calculation of this ratio to check the system is within the guideline 25%. However, if you have any concerns you should contact the council building control department or an independent structural surveyor.

Selling your electricity

The government has recently introduced a Feed-In Tariff scheme whereby you will receive a higher rate for PV generated electricity than you buy from your supplier throughout the term of the scheme, which is 25 years from the scheme's introduction.

The amount paid is for everything generated irrespective of whether it is used at the time or not. You will also be paid for electricity exported back to the National Grid. In addition, you will also save by not importing electricity from your supplier if you use the PV electricity at the time of generation.

Please contact us for more information on the Feed-In Tariff.