GENERATING ELECTRICITY WITH SOLAR PV
Harnessing energy from the sun to help run your lights, power sockets and electric car is a popular renewable setup, but how can you maximise efficiency and keep it sustainable?
WORDS Nigel Griffiths
Tesla’s (
www.tesla.com) on-roof, 400Wrated solar panels feature a chamfered surround for a low-profile look, and come with a 25 year guarantee. The company also offers a PV tile solution, as well as the Powerwall range of home battery storage
COURTESY OF TESLA, INC
According to the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS), the body that’s responsible for certifying low-carbon energy technologies and contractors, the number of annual solar electric panel installations in the UK more than doubled in 2022 to over 130,000. No doubt the homeowners specifying this renewable tech are hoping to make a sizable dent in their energy bills – but will they be successful?
In an ideal world, electricity generation from PV would be consistent throughout the year. The equipment would also be locally produced, with minimal embodied energy and embodied pollution. There would be no peaks and troughs in production, and the battery storage needed to shift daytime generation to night time use would be cheap and low impact. So, as well as costs and energy savings, we need to think carefully about overall environmental impact when trying to work out the optimal size and type of system. Ultimately, if you want to install PV, then you’ll want the setup to be as efficient as possible and tailored to your particular project goals. Here’s what you need to know.