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Eco Heat & Power Ltd
2 Sandbed
Hebden Bridge
West Yorkshire
HX7 6PT
Tel 01422 843 414

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Solar Power

Solar Power in the UK?

In the UK we receive vast amounts of solar energy with the average amount of energy received in a year being as much as 60% of that received on the equator. This radiation is similar to the output of 1,000 power stations.

Map of solar irradiation in the UK
(Annual Total kWh/m2)

Today there is a range of high quality products, which enable us to use the Sun's energy very effectively in the UK. Using the Sun's energy reduces our consumption of conventional fuel and helps to reduce the emission of harmful greenhouse gases.

Solar Power modules (panels) capture the sun's energy using photovoltaic (PV) cells. The cells convert the sunlight into electricity, which can be used to run household appliances and lighting.

PV cells don't need direct sunlight to work - you can still generate some electricity on a cloudy day.

The map on the right shows the total average solar radiation falling on one square metre surface inclined at 30 degrees to the horizontal, measured in kilowatt hours. These figures bring out the remarkable fact that the amount of solar energy falling on the total roof area of an average house is many times that required to provide all its heating and hot water.

However, we must note that there is a large difference between radiation available in the summer and that available in winter; also Solar Power systems will typically convert between 8% to 18% of solar energy falling on the solar modules into electricity.

These factors must be taken into account in determining the optimum size for a system. The optimum angle to the sun is from 12° to 50° from horizontal with an orientation from East to West being acceptable.

Solar Power explained

Solar Power systems broadly comprise modules usually mounted on the roof, this is wired back to an inverter and from the inverter the power is wired back to your fuse board. The inverter is often located in your loft, they will require an area about 450mm x 450mm and a depth of about 300 - 400mm. The inverter converts the DC power produced by the modules into AC power it then manages the connection to the National Grid. The unit must shut down in the event of loss of mains power from the National Grid, this is to protect people working downstream from your on-site generation.

We can provide Solar Power systems for domestic, commercial and industrial sites.

We use high quality modules from BP, Kyocera, Schuco and Schott, with inverters from SMA and Fronius.

Clean Energy Cash Back

The Clean Energy Cash Back under the Government's Feed-In-Tariff provides a return on investment of between 8 and 16%.

This income is guaranteed for 25 years. The payments are index linked and tax free. These systems will put value onto your home.

Save Energy – Save CO2 – Save Money

For detailed calculations of how this scheme works, and how it could apply to you, please refer to the "New FIT Clean Energy Cash Back" download at the bottom of this page, or visit the Energy Saving Trust's independent cashback calculator.

Please contact us for a site survey, or download one of our self-survey forms.

The performance of Solar PV systems is impossible to predict with certainty due to the variability in the amount of solar radiation (sunlight) from location to location and from year to year. This model is based upon the system facing due South and with no shade and is given as guidance only. It should not be considered as a guarantee of Performance. The remuneration figures are based on the set amount for the first two years of the Feed In Tariff (FIT) from April 2010. The avoided cost versus the exported is arbitrarily split 50/50 for indicative purposes, the avoided cost is based on the average cost of one kWh at 12p, this may vary. The export element is based on the base line figure at 3p but may vary upwards with different suppliers. This remuneration is also index linked, tax free, guaranteed for 25 years and paid to you by your energy supplier.