Frequently Asked Questions

If you have any questions please feel free to contact us.

• What is renewable energy?

  Renewable energy products utilises the inexhaustible energy sources such as the sun, wind, water and sustainable plant material. Renewable energy products offer free and clean energy solutions which will reduce our total reliance on fossil fuels which have environmental impacts, including the contribution of increasing CO2 emissions and effecting climate change. Together with increasing world prices and higher demand for energy renewable energy technologies have their part to play in delivering cost effective energy and protecting the environment to the benefit of the next generation.

• What is Solar PV (Photovoltaic) solar cell?

  Close to 95% of all solar cells are made of silicon. Silicon is a classical metalloid and consequently has properties of both metals and non-metals. Quartz sand, which is well researched and also widespread in chip technology, is the base material for semiconductors. Silcon is the second most abundant element on Earth after oxygen. In order to produce solar cells from it, the raw silicon needs to be cleaned extensively and crystallised. Every solar cell has a possitive and negative layer. When sunlight hits the cell, an electric charge is generated between the two layers. This is referred to as the inner photoelectric effect. If you attach contacts to the two silicon layers, current flows. Once covererted to alternating (AC) current through an invereter can be utilised as convential electricity out of the socket. A Photovoltaic system therefore give you a direct energy from the sun.

• What is solar energy?

  Solar energy can be captured by solar panels. There are two main types of solar panels, which use different technologies to make use of the free energy from the sun. • Photovoltaic (PV) panels: These panels transform solar radiation directly into electricity. • Solar Hot Water Thermal Collectors: These panels absorb the thermal energy from the sun and transfer the heat collected into water. For maximum efficiency, solar panels should be mounted on a south facing roof at an optimum angle of 30 degrees with the horizontal and away from trees, surrounding buildings or chimneys for best performance

• Photos,volts,photovoltaics

  The Term photovoltaics is a compound of the Greek word for light "photos" and the name of electrical engineering poineer Alessandro Volta. The word "volt" for a unit of electric current gets name from the Italian scientist. Put both words together, i.e light plus volt, and it all becomes clear:photovoltaics - light is transformed into power.

• What are Feed In-Tariffs

  Feed In-Tariffs are a system of promoting green and renewable energy and have been sucessfully used in Europe and particularly within Germany. The UK government is currently putting through legislation to adopt a Feed-In Tariff scheme within the UK for Microgeneration. DECC announced in their press release in February 2010 the different levels of payback due under the scheme. For example a householder looking to generate PV electricity under 4 kwp (retro fit) will gain 41.3 per Kwh unit produced. For more information please go to the offical DECC website

• To tell if solar PV electricity is right for you, there are a few key questions to consider:

  •Do you have a sunny place to put it? You'll need a roof or wall that faces within 90 degrees of south, and isn't overshadowed by trees or buildings. If the surface is in shadow for parts of the day, your system will generate less energy. •Is your roof strong enough? Solar panels are not light and the roof must be strong enough to take their weight, especially if the panel is placed on top of existing tiles. If in doubt, ask a construction expert or an installer. •Do you need planning permission? In England and Scotland, you don't need planning permission for most home solar electricity systems, as long as they're below a certain size - but you should check with your local planning officer if your home is a listed building, or is in a conservation area or World Heritage Site. In Wales and Northern Ireland, you still need to get planning permission before installing a solar electricity system - though the legislation may soon change. To find out how to apply for permission, contact you local authority

• Do I need planning permission for solar PV?

  Do I need planning permission? Some authorities require planning permission especially for listed buildings or within a conservation area. Although planning permission for solar PV is not generally required, Solar Focus recommends that customers should always check with their local authority before having a system installed.

     

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