Solar Electricity (Photovoltaics or 'PV')
When electricity rather than heat is required, PV is a robust, flexible, scaleable technology which can provide energy for both houses and other buildings. The typical sized household PV system for example will provide at least 2,000 units of electricity per annum and save at least 1.14 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually. PV has a proven working life of 45 years plus and modules typically come with a 25 year manufacturers warranty. Electricity generation in the UK today is still largely sourced from fossil fuels, which causes the release of harmful gasses into the atmosphere – including CO2. The use of solar electricity generation through Photovoltaic (PV) systems will help to reduce the emission of these gases thereby helping government to meet their binding 2020 emission reduction targets.
Energy from the sun can be used to generate electricity through a PV system. Solar PV systems convert the sun’s rays directly into electricity through the use of solar cells. The technology can be used for domestic as well as larger industrial or commercial applications and has various applications to suit specific needs.
A large number of homes in the UK have recently been installing PV systems, and the number is increasing exponentially since the introduction of the Feed in Tariff (FiT) – the financial incentive scheme introduced by Government on 1st April 2010. The aim of the FiT is to increase the uptake of on-site electricity generating technologies including PV.