Ofgem have just announced the energy price cap. Your energy bill will now be capped at £2,074 in the coming year (from July). That’s good news for the consumer in that Ofgem are holding back the actual cost of energy but really that’s still an eye watering 80% rise in a small/average energy bill compared to 2 years ago.
Commercial energy remains uncapped. If you have the roof space and the funds to install Solar panels SolarTherm UK can save average commercial units a 48% saving in their electricity bill, and we have many case studies for an average UK home with a Southerly roof aspect at 67-76% savings. Contact us today to find out more
SEG was set up in January 2020 by Ofgem and is designed to ensure that the customer gets paid for the electricity they export to the grid. At first when it was announced the main electricity suppliers offered pitiful rates of 0.5 - 1.5p per kWh. Since then, rates from some are as high as 15p per kWh, but some tariffs come with higher grid buy in rates to compensate the suppliers. It’s criminal to charge a rate of 35p per kWh to buy electricity from the grid, but only offer 3p to the customer to buy it back from their solar export. The electricity supplier and the grid do absolutely no work to obtain it.
This diagram shows how the Smart Export Guarantee works.
Smart meters and meters:
Unless the customer has a smart meter then there is no way of knowing the exact generation and therefore cannot claim the SEG. The customer will usually get a smart meter installed by the supplier when submitting the application for SEG.
It’s important that the customer is advised that Solartherm UK do not apply on their behalf but are sent the application and have the details to hand for us to do so. This is because bank and personal details are required. Depending on how old the customers meter is will depend on what will happen, if it's a digital meter then it will only measure import and any export will be ignored. If it's an old dial meter, then the export will turn the meter backwards resulting in a cost deduction (which the energy companies don’t really like but until a meter change has been done are powerless to stop)
When it comes to excess generation it is worth looking at how much export electricity there is going to be, as installing a home energy storage system would allow the excess to be stored during the day and discharged early evening. Why sell at even 15p per kWh when you can store for free and discharge into your home saving you from buying it back at rates of 30p or more?
It is also possible on larger systems where the grid usage is low by day to still export to the grid once the battery is full.
We have covered before the frustrating delays with the DNO’s issuing the permission for Solartherm UK customers to connect to the grid. Electricity suppliers are cashing in on these delays by saying the customer can not apply for SEG until the DNO permission is accepted. Although Solartherm UK work quickly in submitting the DNO application the delays do result in the loss of any payments whilst the customer waits for the DNO acceptance and subsequent agreement of the application for SEG.
For a customer with a battery the losses are usually minimal, for a customer still awaiting stock to arrive and installation of a planned battery this is a further frustration but one we cannot do much about whilst demand for stock continues at four times the rate manufacturers can build stock.
Solar owners, it is vital that you do not allow anyone in your home to check your Solar PV system.
Ask yourself, does a cold caller really know your installer has gone into liquidation, that your system may not be working, that your warranty has expired? unfortunately, this is a known fraud whereby a salesperson enters your home and either turns off the system and claims it isn’t working, or that it’s out of warranty or that it needs further equipment or servicing.
YES…. people with no moral compass really do this. Plus, if you are duped the works carried out often invalidates genuine product warranties and may be unsafe.
It is a fact that most solar equipment apart from cleaning of the panels themselves need little maintenance and in fact can simply be checked by us over the phone. If your inverter is working and the meter is increasing daily, it’s fine. Is it working to capacity? well take the solar generation meter reading each day for a week, check your documents to see what capacity has been installed and if concerned please call or email us and we can manually check.
Do you have SolarEdge equipment installed? That’s amazingly simple to check with the online portal.
Please see more on the subject historically on our website here:
There is lots online about this, but companies such as ESE services are still trading and unfortunately there are many more that can make a quick buck by implying, they can repair, upgrade or service something that very well may not need it.
There are also various forums that you can find information online.
It would also be wise to register your number with TPS (telephone preference service) and question anyone that calls closely that claim to have details of your system.
This really has reached epidemic levels at the time of writing.
Have you heard the term Half-Cell lately when speaking to solar companies or reading online info, what is the difference?
Have you been reading up on what solar panels are what, which is best and what the terminology is?
The solar market is constantly growing, and latest trends quickly become mainstream. It’s true to say the Solartherm UK have seen a massive up take in solar since the Energy Crisis began.
Today’s mainstream full cell modules (60 cells) will have a market share of about 35% in 2028. The R&D departments of most major manufacturers predict that other cell variations will soon take over. Half Cell technology is a fairly modern technology that has changed the solar game. The International Technology Roadmap of Photovoltaic (ITRPV) predicts that the market share of half cells has increased from 5% in 2018 to potentially 40% in 2028. This indicates that Half Cell technology is a strong player against outdated full cell technology. Solartherm UK first installed this technology in early 2018 and have had a test module installed on the HQ since then.
What are Half Cell Modules?
Traditional full cell panels (60 cells) are made with 60 or 72 cells on the entire panel. A half-Cell module doubles the number of cells into 120 or 144 cells per panel. The panel is the same size as a full cell panel but with double the cells. By doubling the number of cells this technology creates more avenues to catch energy from sunlight to send into the inverter.
Essentially, Half-Cell technology is the process of cutting cells into half, reducing resistance so efficiency can increase. Traditional full cell panels with 60 or 72 cells produce resistance which can lower the panel’s ability to produce more power. Whereas Half-Cells with 120 or 144 cells have lower resistance which means more energy is being captured and produced. Half-Cell panels have smaller cells on each panel which reduces mechanical stresses on the panel. The smaller the cell the lesser chance of the panel micro cracking. Moreover, Half-Cell technology provides higher power output ratings and are usually more reliable than traditional full cell panels.
Traditional Full Cell
Half-Cell module
Why turn to Half-Cell technology for your next install?
The opportunity to generate more power for our customers and to save them money is at the forefront of any rooftop PV system. Half-Cell technology can see significant increases particularly in semi shaded areas.
The increase in Half-cell popularity over the years is due to some very distinct advantages such as:
Excellent performance in low light situations. This is due to the design the increased number of cells feeds more power to the inverter.
Half-cell technology is more durable for long-life performance
HC technology is less susceptible to micro-cracking due to the smaller size of the solar cells. The mechanical stress on the entire panel is lessened which reduces the opportunity for micro cracks to develop. Therefore, HC panels are more durable and less prone to cracking over extended periods of time.
Performs better in high-heat conditions, even the UK suffers from hot roofs.
Split junction boxes, this is a major solar panel improvement.
Hot spots are quite common in poorly manufactured solar PV panels and can severely reduce the lifespan of a solar PV panel. Half-Cell solar PV panels have less heat below the individual cells on the panel. Hot spots are common and a negative that comes with solar PV systems that receive elevated levels of constant heat. In some major cases, hot spots can cause fire risks to the customer’s home. Having a split junction box reduces cell heating and the possibility for hot spots occur.
Great Half-Cell products to try out
Canadian Solar is one of the largest distributors of Solar PV panels in the solar market. They are premium quality products to the UK Solar market. The 410w Perc mono is a high-power half-cell and has been installed by Solartherm UK since they first came into the UK marketplace. Similarly JA Solar, Jam 60S20 half-cell Mono Perc is one of Solartherm UK’s most popular modules, with efficiency of 20.6%, this panel will fulfil most solar buyers and comes with excellent warranties also.
Please feel free to contact our sales or technical team today on 01268 552868 OR email [email protected] for our current price list.
Canadian Solar 410w HC MONO PERC MODULE
Solartherm UK are also SunPower Maxeon technologies certified partners. It’s true that if you have the budget there is no better module on the market. With a whopping 40-year warranty and a claim of 29% more power and a whole host of another clever tech this solar module really is a show stopper!
The downside is that lead times are often long as stock is sold the second it hits our warehouse with never enough coming into the UK.
Please feel free to contact our sales team today on 01268 552868 OR email: [email protected] for the current stock availability list.
Our team have been working on lots of exciting Solar PV proposals for electricity production and energy reduction schemes for distilleries and bonded warehouses of late. The word has spread within the Scottish Whisky industry that their large facility roof spaces may be perfect for solar panel installations and can make a real dent in their required electricity usage.
A recent proposal that we undertook along the A917 located up towards St Andrews in the Fife region for a Whisky Distillery showed the operators that even in more gloomy locations very decent returns were achievable.
Our irradiance checking equipment showed that the distillery roofs could achieve 943kWh/m2. The design allows for a 220kWp solar system using 571no. 385w modules which may produce some 190’000 kWh of electricity per annum.
More interestingly, at the Distillery’s current electricity buy in rate of 10.9p per kWh the system would save around £20’900 per annum, however as they had just received notification that the rate was due to rise to 16.5p the increase in annual savings from the system rose to £31’350.
Not finished there, the system being RPI linked with performance calculations run over the 25-year lifetime of the panels means a whopping return of £921’325 and at the cost supplied equates to a 3.77-year ROI.
Now if any large-scale business with cash in the bank has an accounts manager that says going green doesn’t make good financial sense, then we at Solartherm UK are willing to eat a Whisky cask for free!
Drawing from the MCS Installation Database, this latest report by Solar Energy UK shines a light on the indisputable financial benefits of solar PV for homeowners – adding up to £1,800 to the value of a typical home. In doing so, it highlights the vital role small-scale renewables play in increasing the market value and reducing the carbon footprint of our homes.
The data speaks for itself: solar PV is a proven economic and environmental solution to futureproofing our homes. It already puts cost savings back into consumers’ pockets, and with the ongoing electrification of heat and transport, its financial performance will only improve in years to come.
We echo Solar Energy UK’s calls for relevant sectors to help maximise the use of solar PV on the UK’s homes, from property development and finance to construction. This should undoubtedly be backed by sustained government support for domestic renewables in general, including long-term consumer incentives and broader green retrofit programmes. The current outlook and future for solar is bright – and we can do even more as we reach for net zero.
The longevity of solar panels has improved over the past decade, with many of the latest solar panels lasting up to 50 years. As time passes, the efficiency of solar panels can decrease (also known as the rate of degradation) which is typically dependant of the type and quality of solar panel installed. Other factors that can influence the degradation of solar panels including the maintenance and the quality of the installation.
Solar panel maintenance
Owning solar panels can provide you with clean green energy and a reduction in your energy bills, however, ensuring they are maintained and performing at the optimum efficiency could save you money and increase the longevity of your panels. Several maintenance tips to ensure your panels are performing at their optimum include:
Ensuring your solar panels aren’t in shaded areas.
Keep an eye on your inverter warning panels to ensure there aren’t any warning lights
Installing automated cleaners like a sprinkler system or scheduled appointments with a solar panel cleaning company
Cleaning solar panels is very easy, often the hardest bit is getting access to the panels. If cleaning the panels on the roof, ensure that you have the necessary safety equipment as the roof can be slippery. Using a soft brush or rag with biodegradable soap is recommended when cleaning solar panels, as hard equipment or harsh chemicals can damage the panels and lead to increased degradation.
What affects the longevity of solar panels?
One of the main factors that can impact the life of solar panels are the quality of solar panels installed. There are many cheap solar panels on the market, and it is often tempting to go with the cheapest quote when getting solar panels installed but often cheaper quotes can mean cheap lower-quality panels.
Why is the life of solar panels important? As your solar panels generate electricity year after year, it is often between 10 – 20 years before your solar panels have generated enough savings to cover the initial cost of installation. Therefore, ensuring your panels are performing at an efficient level during this time is important to ensure they pay for themselves. Furthermore, after they have paid for themselves, you want to continue to reap the rewards of your solar panels producing energy and reducing your reliance of the ever more expensive grid energy providers.
Speak to us today
For more information on solar panels and increasing their longevity, get in contact with us at SolarTherm UK today. Our expert team have helped thousands of customers across the country to maximise their investment in solar panels by providing the highest quality solar panels and equipment with our professional engineer fitting team.
For a no-obligation quote, contact us at SolarTherm UK today.
“Solar power? Hang on, we don’t live in California!” True, but it’s all about daylight, not sunshine. Panels can still generate some electricity on gloomy days, vital when the weather’s as dull as watching paint dry.
Before you stick them on your home, understand these key need-to-knows:
Ofgem have just announced from April 1st, 2021, the price caps current in place on energy will be lifted. Potentially affecting some 15 million UK households.
Your solar PV panel system will consist of a set number of solar panels, an inverter, or micro inverters, SolarEdge, a mounting frame and small components.
Often home energy storage systems or batteries were added to later systems, after 2014 batteries and storage systems started to become commonplace to be installed alongside the PV generating system. (Solar panels, or modules as they are known professionally)
The warranties typically associated with the solar panels are long. Usually a standard 2-year parts and labour, and 10–20-year product warranty. It is useful to note that a reputable installer such as Solartherm UK will also offer at no extra charge a 10-year insurance backed warranty. Largely this is a backup if the installer is unable to return and has ceased trading.
If installed correctly, a solar panel could last 25-40 years although they have a slight degradation rate and will very gradually diminish in their efficiency.
