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 £4200 to a system eg, 2kwp will be about £10,700.
3. 1kwp will cover about 7 square meters of roof area.
4. 1kwp system in Gloucestershire will deliver about 850kwhrs of electricity in a year.
5. A typical system will take 2 to 3 days to install
6. A typical house will use 3-3500kwhrs/year.
7. The system should ideally face South but SE to SW will be OK – see tilt and orientation guide.
8. The ideal roof pitch is 30-35deg, traditional pitches of 45º and 55º make only a few % difference – see tilt and orientation guide.
9. Space is needed in the house for the inverter and the total generation meter – see picture.
10. The total generation meter is the reading that gives you your payment for the energy generated – see picture.
11. The system is fully automatic and will generate electricity when the sun shines.
12. 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 returns and becomes stable.
13. 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 can not be seen from the highway.
14. The price guidance does not take into account scaffolding, any building specific problems or any electrical wiring changes that may be required to your particular building.
