Getting your Solar Photovoltaic System

Getting your Solar Photovoltaic System

If you are planning to get a solar photovoltaic system installed to generate electricity at home, and at the same time want to be eligible for government incentives (Feed-In-Tariffs), here are the first steps that you should take:

1. Assess the suitability of your home for photovoltaic solar (this has already been discussed in the previous section)
2. Ensure that you are already taking the required energy saving measures
3. Engage a certified Solar Photovoltaic provider for assessment, survey and installation
4. Check if planning permission is required e.g. for listed buildings, world heritage site, conservation areas, areas with protected wildlife.
5. Apply for the Feed-in-tariff

So, once you are done with your own initial assessment of suitability of your home for solar photovoltaics, you should call the solar photovoltaic solution provider. In fact, you could even engage the solar photovoltaic provider right at the first step (if you are not comfortable doing the initial assessment yourself). This could actually be a good way to proceed because professional solar pv solutions providers can make a better judgement and even suggest you how to best make your home suitable for a photovoltaic solar system; and you too can join the green energy brigade then. You can call us (A E Solar Systems) on 0845 303 8370 for a complete end-to-end solution for solar photovoltaic assessment, installation and advice.

The process that is followed by the solar photovoltaic systems provider is very similar to the process for solar thermal provider. Moreover, the reputed solar energy solutions providers will have ST and PV solutions both. Let’s take a quick look at how a solar pv solutions provider proceeds:

1. Feasibility assessment: The solar pv solutions provider will get your requirements and details of your property and ask you a few questions in order to do a quick feasibility analysis for solar pv installations. Some broad criteria are used for such feasibility analysis.
2. Site Survey: The site survey is what confirms the feasibility assessment; and based on the amount of electricity you want to generate, the available area that is suitable for solar pv installation, the orientation of your home, and the roof condition, recommendations/ options are provided by the photovoltaic solutions provider.
3. Quotation: The solar pv energy provider will provide you a formal quote.
4. Permissions advice and Grants assistance: Since providing solar energy solutions is the job of a solar photovoltaic provider, they are able to use their experience and expertise to also advice you on how to get grants and whether you need any planning permissions.
5. Installation: The solar photovoltaic panels and tiles are at their best efficiency levels when they are installed at 30-50° angle. Your solar photovoltaic solutions provider will have the knowledge and expertise to consider all such factors and ensure that your solar panels and tiles perform at their peak.

Planning Permission

Like solar thermal energy systems, Solar PV systems too don’t need any planning permission in most cases (you can confirm with your local authorities and even do a quick check with your Solar PV provider). With the government supporting and aiding the green / renewable energy initiative, you would expect that anyways. However, there are areas where you would need to seek planning permission. These areas include World Heritage Sites, Conservation Areas and Listed Buildings.

Also, in areas having protected wildlife, you might need to check with the relevant local authority as part of your solar pv planning exercise e.g. if you have birds nesting and roosting on your roof then you will need to ensure that installation and maintenance activities happen when the birds are away (especially protected species).