Some solar technical terms and acronyms explained
Your guide to common abbreviations and technical terms relating to solar power AC AC is short for alternating current – this is the form of electricity supplied through the grid …
Alternatives to installing solar panels
Is it not possible to fit solar panels to your home? Fortunately there are still options for using renewable energy. These include using green energy companies such as Good Energy …
How to get the most value out of your solar panels?
Once you have had your solar panels fitted, what will be the next thing you will need to start thinking about? An important thing, especially if you have opted for …
Energy consumed vs energy produced by solar PV panels
It is commonly believed that a major problem with solar panels is that they consume such a significant amount of energy in their manufacture that the energy they produce is …
Thermal or Photovoltaic (PV) solar panels
Of the two different types of solar panel on the market, thermal (for hot water) and photovoltaic or PV (for electricity) how can a householder choose which is best? Currently …
Myths about solar panels
Some of the most commonly held misconceptions about solar energy are that solar panels are too expensive, do not work in cloudy weather and that they are unreliable. However, it …
How toxic are solar panels?
Concerns have been expressed recently about pollution from solar panels both during the manufacturing process and when they reach the end of their usable lives. The manufacture of panels frequently …
Solar panels and shading from trees
When trees cause solar panels to be shaded this can bring up issues such as the rights of the respective owners and the environmental sacrifice of removing or pruning the …
Why is solar power a good idea?
Solar panels are a great way to produce environmentally friendly renewable energy and save money at the same time. Most traditional forms of electricity generation work by burning fossil fuels …
On-grid and off-grid solar power
Most houses in the UK are connected to the national grid which supplies the house with electricity. PV systems installed on these houses will also be connected to the grid. …
Mounting options for solar PV panels
There are many ways to mount solar panels and the method used will depend on where you are situating them. Most domestic solar panels are mounted on top of the …
How much electricity can you get from a solar PV system?
The average household in the UK uses 3300 units of electricity (kWh, or kilowatt-hours) of electricity each year. Based on an electricity price of 12.5p per kWh this costs over …
New and up-coming solar technology
Solar technology is rapidly advancing, with new innovations constantly being developed. Micro-inverters and ‘hairy’ solar panels could greatly increase the efficiency of solar PV systems, and there are even plans …
Five innovative uses of solar power
Placing solar panels on your roof is only one option for using the enormous amount of energy the Sun provides. Solar technology can also be incorporated into everyday objects, as …