Solar Photovoltaic (PV - electric)
Solar Photovoltaic systems (Solar PV) generate electricity when exposed to the sunlight (insolation). The Solar PV system generates electricity that is supplied direct to the building’s distribution board where any load such as lighting, TV, washing machine etc. immediately consumes that electricity when required. During times of excess generation of electricity, due to low electrical loads for example, the electricity will flow past your meter to the grid outside and can be sold to your local electricity suppler. It must be noted here that if you have an old-fashioned mechanical electric meter, the meter will turn backwards when this occurs, resulting in a lower meter reading than should actually be so. If you wish to sell the excess electricity then your local supplier will require that you replace the meter with a digital version whereby such double counting will not occur.
Solar PV systems are simple semi conducting devices that require any form of light to generate electricity. This relationship is proportional.
Diffuse overcast days with grey, miserable sunlight will generate electricity regardless of cold and rain. However, glorious sunny days will ensure that the Solar PV system performs more efficiently, although energy can still be produced in overcast or cloudy conditions. The Solar PV panels that we sell are generally blue or grey in colour and will operate successfully in all parts of the UK, offsetting your reliance upon conventional grid electricity and so reducing your electricity bills.
Our systems consist of semi conductor cells connected together to form modules. Each module is then connected together to form a panel. The panels generate Direct Current (DC) electricity that is
converted to Alternating Current (AC) via an inverter and fed into the buildings mains supply.
Basic Layout of Grid Tied PV system
Photovoltaic panels have a very long life of 20-25 yrs and very low maintenance costs, requiring little more than the occasional cleaning. The DC/AC inverters however, have shorter lifespans of 10-15 years and replacements will be required during the lifetime of the system. Enviko have found that during system inverter replacement our customers have preferred to replace the panels with better, higher efficiency devices to maximise the contribution from the sun in their home.
Please feel free to get in contact with us by email or call 0845 189 9894 to discuss any of your requirements.