Solar PVs
Solar electricity panels, also known as photovoltaics (PV), capture the sun’s energy and convert it into electricity that you can use in your building.
By installing solar panels, you can generate your own renewable electricity.
This page will explore everything you need to know about Solar PVs to better understand whether it's an energy saving measure that could work for your organsation.
Scroll to learn more, or click the button below to download the complete guide in PDF format.
How do solar panels work?
A solar PV panel consists of many cells made from layers of semi-conducting material, most commonly silicon. When light shines on this material, a flow of electricity is created.
The cells don’t need direct sunlight to work and can even work on cloudy days. However, the stronger the sunshine, the more electricity generated.
Solar PV systems are made up of several panels, with each panel typically generating around 400W of power in strong sunlight in the form of direct current (DC) electricity.
Are they right for my building?
Solar panels can be designed to fit the space you have, accommodating chimneys and unusual roof shapes. A south-facing pitched roof is ideal for generating the most electricity from the sun, but panels facing east or west can also work well. Panels can also be mounted on frames on a flat roof, but north-facing pitched roofs aren’t recommended.
Consider whether your roof is shaded by any nearby buildings, trees or chimneys, as this will reduce the performance of your system. Limiting the impact of shading will be a key concern for your installer. Sometimes shading is unavoidable and, in this case, your installer may suggest a number of solutions to maximise output from your given space.
Do I need permission?
Planning permission is not usually required for small-scale PV installations (less than 50 kWp). However, there are exceptions (for example, on listed buildings, buildings in conservation areas or national parks). Larger systems up to one megawatt may also be considered permitted development but additional criteria apply. You should always contact your local planning authority for advice before proceeding.
You should also check with your insurance provider to make sure your policy covers your solar PV system or to make any adjustments needed. It’s good to get confirmation of this in writing.
A small 3.5kWp solar PV system, such as you might see on the roof of a house, will take up around 20m2 of roof space, which is the same as about two car parking spaces. It would typically be made up from around 15 panels and would generate around 2,500kWh per year, depending on location and system design.
How much does it cost?
A typical small-scale UK installation of 3.5kWp, mounted on a pitched roof, will cost around £7,000. This cost includes:
• The inverter, generation meter, panel-mounting system and wiring.
• The cost of labour for supplying, installing, connecting and registering the system.
• Scaffolding, which is needed for most pitched roof mounted systems.
Larger systems are usually less expensive per installed kilowatt.
How much does it save?
The typical energy bill savings of a solar PV system differ depending on the size of the system you need or can accommodate, how much electricity you need daily, when you use it and what you pay for your electricity.
With the recent increase in the cost of electricity, the payback period for solar PVs has become considerably shorter, which can make installing solar PV a smart long-term financial investment. Payback periods can be less than 10 years in many cases. The PV panels should typically last around 40 years.
How long does it take to install?
Installation can take from one up to several weeks, depending on a number of different factors such as the size of your system, as smaller installations take less time to complete than larger ones, and the type of your roof and its complexity, as installations on flat roofs tend to be quicker than those on pitched roofs.
For the most part, solar PVs can be installed on your building with minimal disruption and your organisation can continue its activities throughout the duration of the installation.
Can I do it myself?
Solar panels are not a technology that you can install by yourself. You will need to talk to an installer who will assess your needs and evaluate your building before proposing which system could be right for you. Click here to learn more about choosing the right installer.
Duns Swimming Pool in Langtongate, Duns received £79,920 to install an array of solar PV panels. Recipients said that the system has generated a cumulative benefit of 50 MW of electricity, which is estimated to have reduced the daytime consumption by approximately 50% while saving 10,000 kg of C02.
Oakwood Tourism and Crafts, a community-owned shop supporting local arts and crafts businesses, has solar PV installed on its premises. The owner of the building, Sunart Community Company, received £11,388 towards the cost of installing a 4kw solar PV system and a 5kw battery storage.
Eaglesham Bowling Club received over £4,000 towards the cost of the solar PV installation, which was 60% of the total costs. The club found an installer on the Microgeneration Certification Scheme register. The solar PV system was estimated to generate around 70,713 kWh and offset around 67,177 kWh over its lifetime (25 years), with carbon savings of 14 tonnes. It is also expected to save the club around £13,261 in energy bills over the same period. Initial savings have paid for increased energy bills.
Loch Ness Hub, a one-stop shop for information, tours and tickets for attractions in the area, installed a 5.2kWp solar PV array on the building’s roof. A 7kW air source heat pump was also installed to provide heating.
Gloucester Cathedral has 150 solar panels on the nave roof, generating around 25% of the cathedral’s energy usage. The cathedral ran a “sponsor a solar panel” scheme, which raised about half the funding for the panels and their installation. Preparation involved the development of an innovative and light touch fixing method by a Cathedral Architect and the gathering of evidence that the solar panels would not be visible from various sites in and around Gloucester.
University College London has installed 600 square metres of solar panels on buildings across its campus to help generate more of its own energy from renewable sources. The panels produce around 120,000 kWh every year, reducing UCL’s carbon emissions by more than 28 tonnes per year.
