Why go PV Solar?

Global climate change and the need to reduce carbon dioxide emissions play an increasingly important role in the management of a building’s energy use. With energy effi ciency high on the list of achievable improvements, the inclusion of a solar PV system goes further and can help transform a building from being an energy consumer to being an energy generator. Solar is suitable for use in
both urban and rural locations and is adaptable to almost any building which has suffi cient exposure to light.

Types of PV materials

PV comes in an increasingly wide range of roofi ng and building materials. Integrated tiles and shingles replace conventional roofi ng materials. Framed modular systems can be installed over existing roofs or on flat roof areas. Buildings can be clad with a variety of PV products from opaque panels to glass/glass laminates. Flexible PV material allows it to be incorporated into existing building materials and it can off er a solar feature to metal and fl at roofi ng materials. PV is a modular technology so there are no limitations on the size of system that can be installed. It can range from a small showcase installation to a system which will generate all of a building’s daytime electricity requirements.

The value of solar electricity

There are fi nancial advantages to installing solar PV, these include: avoided imported electricity costs, selling your electricity to energy suppliers and Renewable Obligation Certifi cates (ROCs). The amount of revenue you can generate is linked to the size of the system installed and its performance.

Avoided costs

A PV system reduces a building’s peak daytime power consumption from the grid, thus reducing electricity costs. As the electricity is generated where it is consumed, transmission and distribution
costs are avoided. Solar electricity is particularly advantageous in situations where peak loads are required during the day when solar electricity generation is at its highest level. With the functional lifetime of a PV system being 25-30 years, the avoided cost of electricity that would otherwise be purchased from the grid during this time is considerable. With rising electricity prices forecast,
the discounted capital expenditure of PV generated electricity is an added incentive for investment.

Selling your electricity

Energy supply companies are required to source a percentage of their energy from renewable sources in order to contribute towards cutting carbon dioxide emissions. As an energy generator, a building can sell any surplus electricity it produces to an energy supplier. By purchasing the electricity your PV system generates, energy suppliers are able to fulfil this obligation. Purchasing policies differ
from company to company so seek advice from your Installer, or refer to the Energy Saving Trust or your energy supplier for further information. Some electricity suppliers will pay you for every electrical unit your system generates. However, it is important to look at the balance between the
price your supplier is paying you for electricity and the cost of the electricity you are buying from them.

Offset your carbon dioxide emissions

As building regulations become more stringent, emphasising requirements for reduced carbon dioxide emissions from buildings, a correctly and appropriately installed solar PV system can provide
an eff ective solution; for every 1kWh of electricity generated, 0.43 kilograms of carbon dioxide is off set. Additionally, for every 1 kilowatt peak (kWp) of PV installed, annual carbon dioxide
emissions could be reduced by as much as 0.33 tonnes.

Other fiscal incentives

The Climate Change Levy is a tax on the use of energy in industry, commerce and the public sector, with off setting cuts in employers’ National Insurance Contributions (NICs) and additional support for energy effi ciency schemes and renewable sources of energy. The levy forms a key part of the government’s overall Climate Change Programme. Its basic design follows the recommendations
made in Lord Marshall’s report, Economic Instruments and the Business Use of Energy, published in
October 1998.

The levy will play a major role in helping the UK to meet its targets for reducing carbon dioxide emissions. It entails no increase in the tax burden on industry as a whole and no net gain for the public finances. The reforms are intended to promote energy effi ciency, encourage employment
opportunities and stimulate investment in new technologies. Every business installing a PV system on their building will be able to claim exemption from the Climate Change Levy.

Costs

The cost of your solar PV system will depend on the size of the system and the material used. A framed modular system is generally the least expensive option. With higher manufacturing costs and the increased work required for integrated systems, costs for these bespoke solutions will be higher.
Prestige cladding materials such as glass/ glass PV laminates are more expensive again. However, depending on the scale of the system being installed and bearing in mind the dual functionality
of the material, the costs can compare favourably to other prestige cladding materials such as granite.

How to proceed

Once you have decided to proceed with a solar PV system installation, the fi rst step is to choose an installer who can provide you with the service you require. The Department for Trade and Industry (DTI) provide grant programmes to support installation of PV panels. These grant scheme are accompanied by an accreditation scheme to ensure that PV installers meet all of the technical and quality criteria defi ned within accreditation scheme rules. It is a requirement to work with an accredited installer in order to access a government grant. Your installer will work with you to design the system you require, including any monitoring or display needs.