A quick introduction and guidance into having a Photovoltaic (PV) system installed based around a 1kwp (the peak output) system:-

1.  A 1kwp system will cost around £6,500

2.  Additional 1kwp’s will add about £4500 to a system eg, 2kwp will be about £11,000.

3.  1kwp will cover about 7 square meters of roof area.

4.  1kwp system in Gloucestershire will deliver about 800kwhrs of electricity in a year.

5.  A typical system will take 2 to 3 days to install

6.  The system should ideally face south but SE to SW will be OK – see tilt and orientation guide.

7.  The ideal roof pitch is 30-35deg – see tilt and orientation guide.

8.  Space is needed in the house for the inverter and the total generation meter – see picture.

9.  The total generation meter is the reading that gives you your payment for the energy – see picture.

10. The system is fully automatic and will generate electricity when the sun shines.

11. When electricity supply fails generation stops, so your system does not electrocute the man on the wire repairing the supply, then it automatically starts working again after the grid supply becomes stable.

12. Installing a solar PV system on a roof is a “Permitted Development” (excluding Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) provided it is less than 200mm above the roof and complies with the General Permitted Development Order. AONB’s are not “Conservation Areas” in “planning terms”. In “Conservation Areas” solar systems do not need planning permission if they do not face the highway. For full information look at the Government website .