Are you thinking about installing Solar PV for your home, school or business?

Now is the time to benefit from additional income from renewable energy produced by Solar PV. In April 2010 the government launched Feed in Tariffs, which pays you for the renewable energy you produce using technologies such as Solar PV and Wind Turbines.

Individuals, businesses and schools can benefit from the scheme.

The Feed in Tariff scheme works by paying you for the electricity you generate using Solar PV and other renewable technologies, and for any surplus you export back to the national grid.

As further bonus you save money because you are using Solar PV to produce some or all of the electricity you use. You will therefore reduce the amount of energy you need to purchase from your utility supplier.

Once a site survey has been carried out we will produce a design and quotation for the Solar PV system. Once you are happy with the design and costing installation can commence.

We will always work with you to agreed timescales. Most domestic installations will take 2-3 days, with the scaffold being delivered and erected the previous day and dismantled the day after installation.

Once the tiles have been carefully lifted ( only in the areas required), the fixings brackets are secured to the roofing spars.

The Solar cable is brought through waterproof compression glands and the roof is further protected by lead flashing. A Further lead flashing housing is made to protect the fixings from weather damage. Tiles are replaced.

Solar cable is fed into the house; this will later unobtrusively connect to the inverter.

The mounting rails are fixed in situ ready for the panels to be secured onto them.

The inverter is wired internally and a meter is installed close to the consumer unit.

All wiring is carried out to the 17th Edition BS7671 wiring regulations and is carried out by qualified Electricians.

Once the internal wiring is in place the solar cable can be connected the panels. The solar cable is secured to the system to prevent any damage by the weather.

Once the installation is complete the Distribution Network Operator (DNO) is informed and the installation is then registered for the Feed in Tariff.

Solar PV works by generating electricity by the conversion of solar radiation (light). Solar PV works even on dull cloudy days and does not require constant direct sunlight.

The photovoltaic cells contained within the Solar PV panels convert solar radiation into direct current electricity (D/C). An inverter then converts the D/C current to A/C electricity that we can use to power our electrical appliances in homes, businesses and schools.

Most roofs are suitable; however there is more benefit if the orientation is South, South East or South West as this will maximise the amount of light. It is also preferable to have little or no shading, i.e. from trees or other buildings.

Solar PV can also be fixed on out buildings, on a wall or be freestanding and angled at ground level.

Some planning restrictions may apply for example for buildings in conservation areas and listed buildings. It is recommended you contact your local authority planning office to discuss your requirements prior to installation.

An inverter will be positioned inside your property, usually in the loft. Additional monitoring devices can be used to record the amount of electricity you produce. You can even download the information to your PC to track the amount of renewable energy produced over the year.

In order to qualify for Feed-in Tariff, both the product and the installer must be MCS accredited.

Launched in April 2010, the Feed in Tariff is split in to two types of tariff.

Firstly, the generation pays a higher rate tariff per kilowatt hour of renewable electricity you produce. The generation tariff varies depending on which technology you choose.

Any surplus renewable electricity that you don’t use is automatically fed back to the grid. This is called the Export Tariff and is paid at a lower rate of 3p per kilowatt hour. The export tariff is the same for all technologies.

Tariff levels, for technologies installed between 15th July 2009 and 31st March 2012 of most significance to householders

*As of 1 April 2011 which take into account rise in Retail Price Index (RPI) which was 4.8%.

Tariff levels vary depending on the scale of the installation.

The tariff levels shown in the table above apply to installations completed from 15th July 2009 to 31st March 2012 for the lifetime of the tariff. After this date, the rates decrease each year for new entrants into the scheme.

All generation and export tariffs will be linked to the Retail Price Index (RPI) which ensures that each year they follow the rate of inflation.

For Solar PV Feed in Tariffs are guaranteed for 25 years and 20 years for Wind Turbine.

The tariff levels above are set until April 2012, after the initial start point tariff will be reduced. This is an incentive to start producing renewable energy early in the scheme.

Once your system is in place and is fully operating the energy supplier will be informed and they will start to pay you the Feed in tariff automatically.

For more detailed information regarding Feed in Tariffs please visit www.energysavingtrust.co.uk/Generate-your-own-energy/Sell-your-own-energy

Domestic Solar PV installations are subject to the lower rate 5% VAT.

Commercial installations are subject to VAT at the standard rate.