Solar Panels for Electricity
Introduction to Solar Panels for Electricity
There is nothing better than generating free electricity from the sun. Solar panels work by capturing the sun’s energy using the photovotaic (PV) cells. These cells then change the sunlight in to electricity which can then be used for a variety of electrical appliances. Although solar panels work better in direct sunlight they will still work even on cloudy days, which is one of the reasons why they are becoming so popular.
The Benefits of Solar Panels for Electricity
- More and more people are now looking for ways that they can reduce their carbon footprint. Solar panelling is a great way for those people to go from saying it to actually doing it. Solar panels do not pollute the air in any way unlike normally generated electricity.
- Cut those bills - We don’t pay for sunlight so why not use that to our advantage. The only payment that is needed to be made for solar panelling is the initial investment for purchasing them. Once that has been paid, a household could generate free electricity for a lifetime.
- Sell the electricity - Sometimes solar panels can generate more electricity than is actually needed. If this is the case then that spare electricity can be stored up and actually be sold back to the grid.
- Store the electricity - Just because solar panels create the power, it does not mean that it has to be used immediately. The power can be saved up and used as and when it is needed.
Costs and Maintenance
The initial investment for solar panels can be pretty expensive. An average system would set the owner back about £12,000. Basically, the more electricity that the solar panel can create, the more it will cost but also the more it will save. The good thing is that solar panels need very little maintenance. They will need to be kept clean from time to time and any overhanging from trees will need to be dealt with, but other than that there is no other maintenance that is needed.
Are Solar Panels Right for You?
The fact is, that solar panels are not right for everybody’s home. Firstly the solar panel needs to be able to be in an area that receives plenty of sunshine. Many home owners place solar panels on their roof but they could even be placed on walls as long as they are not overshadowed by trees or other buildings. The roof of the building will have to be checked by a professional in order to see if it is strong enough. Solar panels are quite heavy so any tiles on which the panels will be placed will need to be checked thoroughly.
In the UK no planning permission is needed to install solar panelling however this does depend on size. If the panelling is quite large then it is better to be safe and ask the local planning officer for any information they can give you.
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