Mr Wood. Thirsk, North Yorkshire. 

Mrs Lee. Preston, Lancashire. 

John Moore. Cumbria.

What is the payback time on an investment is Solar PV?

Based on the cost of electricity and assuming modest inflation of energy prices, the payback period is currently in the region of 8 to 10 years. This figure could significantly reduce if electricity prices undoubtedly continue to rise. By adding a solar photovoltaic system to your home you will also increase the value of your property.
What about guarantees?
Companies we recommend ALL have comprehensive insurance backed guarantee's.
Most panels also come with a performance guarantee for a minimum of 25yrs.
Can I see how much electricity I am saving?
All system's have an inbuilt smart meter which records and stores data collected from your PV solar panels. This makes it easy for you to see how much electricity is being generated and also the amount of energy you are saving.
Do I need planning permission?
Solar panels are considered a ‘permitted development’ in England and Wales providing they are installed below the ridge line of your home. Seperate restrictions may apply if you live in a listed building or a conservation area. You can find Up-to-date advice by visiting the Government’s planning portal website.
Do solar pv systems need to be south facing?
The system should ideally be south facing. South east or west facing will still benefit but there will be a 5 - 10 % reduction in power generated over the course of the year. PV solar panels should be sited away from areas of shading during the day such as those caused by nearby buildings, walls, trees etc.
Will my roof be strong enough to support the panels?
Your roof needs to be able to withstand the weight of the photovoltaic solar panels. When a qualified surveyor visits you they will make a detailed report and advise you on every aspect of your viability from the information they obtain.
What does SAP stand for?
Standard Assessment Procedure (The Government’s mechanism for calculating performance of solar PV based on over 30 years historical daylight radiation data).
What is my SAP number?
The projected number of Kilo Watts a solar PV system will generate in 12 calendar months taking into account the size of the system, location of your property, angle of the roof, direction the roof is facing and any degree of shading.
What does MCS stand for?
Micro-generation Certification Scheme.
What is the MCS?
It’s the certification all installers and products must have to enable the customer to qualify for the Feed in Tariff payments.
Is every company that’s currently trying to sell me Solar MCS registered?
Unfortunately no, many companies newly formed or new to the solar business, since the FIT was introduced in April 2010, are parasitic in nature and sell off the back of a separate MCS registered installer. Beware, ask the salesman for sight of their MCS certificate and confirm that it will be the name on the side if the installation team’s vehicle and never ever sign on the day/night and if you do remember you have a 7 day cooling off period.
What are the 3 benefits of the Feed in Tariff for systems up to a maximum of 4KW?
 21.0p for every kilowatt of electricity generated + 3.1p for half those kilowatts + the opportunity to use all the free solar generated electricity and save on the unit cost that you would normally have paid to your energy provider.
Will I still get all the Feed in Tariff income even if I use all the free solar electricity I produce?
Yes, if neighbours ‘A’ & ‘B’ had identical solar installations and A used all the free solar electricity and B used none, they would both receive exactly the same amount of FIT income. House ‘A’ would of course have the added benefit of a reduced electricity bill for having used the free solar power.
How long does it take to install a system?
Usually a day to erect the scaffolding and a day to install the solar array and electrics.
What happens to the solar electricity I don’t use?
It will travel down the cables into the National Grid.
I know the Feed in Tariff income is paid tax free but is that the same if I have it installed on my business premises?
Yes, and the additional benefit is that the initial capital expenditure can be written off in the usual way.
Will the system work in a power cut?
No, the Inverter requires a mains supply.
Can I add to the system later on?
Yes as long as you have the roof space (if the inverter installed at the time of the initial installation does not have sufficient capacity to take the increase a 2nd inverter will have to be installed.
Can I have panels installed on different aspects of my roof?
Yes, if panels are fitted on 2 aspects of the roof a dual string inverter is required, and if fitted on 3 aspects of the roof or the roof and a separate outbuilding, 2 inverters would be required.
Can I have odd or even numbers of panels?
Yes, however most Inverters work at their peak efficiency with even numbers of panels.
Do the panels fit flush to the roof?
Standard systems sit approx 50mm above the roof so airflow has a cooling effect on the panels. Roof integrated systems are available at an extra cost of £1500 - £2000.
Do panels come in different wattages and dimensions?
Yes, 180w and 185w panels are usually 1000mm wide by 1300mm in length whereas 220w, 235w, 245w and 250w panels are usually 1000mm wide by 1600mm in length.
Can panels of different wattages be mixed in the same installation?
No, all the panels must be of the same manufacture, series and wattage.
Can the panels be fitted both portrait and landscape on the same installation?
Yes.
What is the installation sequence?
The panels are secured to the roof and cabled together to form the array – cables carrying the DC power run to an isolator switch (on/off switch) then into the DC/AC Inverter (which can be situated in the loft space, garage/outbuilding or outside) From there the cable runs through a second isolator switch through the generation meter and into a newly installed garage unit (small trip switch fuse board) or incoming mains board.
Do I have to flick any switches to alternate between normal mains electricity and the free solar power?
No, it’s an automatic process, the solar array is wired to your electrical system in such a way that when using any electrical appliance during daylight hours (television, computer, washing machine etc) the power will always be drawn off the solar system first – if you ask for more power than the system is generating at the time (i.e. you turn on other appliances) it will come off the mains supply as normal.
Can the Government change the Feed- in-tariff?
No, not for customers already in the system. The contract is enforceable in law for 25 years. However customers joining the scheme after March 2012 will have to ensure their home has an EPC rating of C or above to qualify for the feed in tariff of 21.0p.
What happens I sell my property?
The new owners continue to benefit from the free solar electricity and the feed in tariff for the remainder of the 25 year term.
What happens if I wish to change energy provider?
The generation meter is read and the new provider picks up responsibility for paying the Feed in Tariff from that point forward.
Do I still qualify for the Feed in Tariff if I am not connected to the grid?
Yes, as long as you intend to use all the power that the system generates, (unlike solar farms) although, you will not be able to claim the additional 3.1p export payment.
Do the panels need cleaning?
Although self cleaning, it is advisable to have them cleaned or hosed down twice a year to help maintain optimum efficiency.
My property is situated in a very windy place; will the panels and my roof be safe?
Yes, rig and in-situ installs have been subjected to wind speeds in excess of 100mph.
Will the panels drop in performance over time?
Yes, after approx 10 -12 years their performance will degrade at an average of approx 1% per year.
Will having solar fitted increase my insurance premiums?
No, but you do need to inform your insurers that the work has been carried out.

TOTAL UK SOLAR PV INSTALLATIONS - 08/02/12:

TOTAL GENERATION IN MW: