Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category
Tuesday, September 7th, 2010
Saturday 11 September 10.00 am – 4.00 pm
Findon Hall, Culbokie, Black Isle
Exhibitions/Seminars/Open houses
Visit Solar Technology’s stand at the show’s central venue at Findon Hall. Solar Technology will be happy to answer any questions regarding PV Solar Installations. If you would like a firm quotation, a site survey can also be booked.
One of the Open Houses on view – at Canon Bridge - has Photovoltaic (PV) Solar Panels, installed by Solar Technology. Maps and directions available on the day at Findon Hall.
See article below for further details about the Black Isle Open Day.
Look forward to seeing you there!
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »
Sunday, August 15th, 2010
Transition Black Isle Greening Homes and Gardens Open Day
Findon Hall, Culbokie, Black Isle
Saturday 11 September 2010
10 am – 4.00 pm
Exhibitions, Seminars, Open Houses
If you’d like to see a Solar Technology photovoltaic (PV) installation in situ why not come to this Open Day. Private homes will be open to the public and one of these has PV solar panels, installed by Solar Technology.
Solar Technology will have a stand at the Open Day’s central site at Findon Hall, Culbokie. We will be happy to provide information and answer any questions you might have on PV solar systems. Site surveys can also be booked.
Transistion Black Isle is all about changing the way we live and becoming a low carbon society. Solar Technology is happy to exhibit at their showcase energy event, an inspiring chance for people to discover how to green their homes. Hundreds are expected to flock to houses and gardens throughout the Black Isle to learn at first hand how to save energy and cash and cut their carbon footprints.
At Findon Hall, topics to be covered in a series of seminars throughout the day will be: funding available to help green your home, improving the energy performance of hard-to-treat homes and composting techniques. Energy convener Martin Sherring said this year’s event was shaping up to be a real highlight for anyone interested in innovative ways of trimming energy bills. And there’s even a solar-powered boat offering free trips from North Kessock!
Last year’s Greening Homes and Gardens was described by Energy Savings Trust staff as “an extremely well co-ordinated event” and flagged up nationally as an example of good practice. Why not put the date in your diaries now.
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »
Friday, July 30th, 2010
Did you know that the UK is the world’s fastest growing solar market, set to increase by approximately 1500 per cent this year?
Don’t get left behind, generate your own solar electricity and cut your carbon footprint. The sun is an unending source of energy and by harvesting this, via photovoltaic (PV) cells in Solar PV panels, you can turn this free source into solar electricity. This solar electricity is direct current (DC), which is transformed to 240- volt alternating current (AC), by way of an inverter. These inverters come in different sizes, which correspond with the size of the PV installation on your roof and are normally fitted in the loft area. Once converted to AC current, this solar electricity can power household appliances and is connected to the National Grid. You are paid 41.3p for every unit of solar electricity you generate, with any unused units exported to the National Grid, for which you are paid an extra 3p per unit. On top of that you get savings on your electricity bill for every unit you use, which would have cost you in the region of 12.9 p per unit. A display unit, which can be connected to your computer, shows you the amount of electricity generated.
PV solar panels not only generate an income, but also help the environment. Fossil fuels used in generating conventional electricity release nitric oxides, nitrogen dioxide and sulphur dioxide. These cause Acid Rain, which has a detrimental effect on forests, wild life and human health. The burning of fossil fuels releases approximately 5 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere every year. Everyone who installs PV solar panels helps to make our world a safer greener place.
If you live in the North of England or Scotland, your local Scottish PV installer, Solar Technology, can provide a free site survey and quotation, within a very short time, for installing a complete PV Solar System. Why not contact Solar Technology today?
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »
Wednesday, July 7th, 2010
Did you know that PV solar panels come in different sizes and different wattages?
A Scottish installer, such as Solar Technology, carries out a free site survey. After looking at your roof and after discussion with the client, Solar Technology recommends what they consider is the best type of panel to install on your property.
Under the Government’s Feed-in Tariff, for domestic systems of up to 4 kWp, with retro-fit PV panels, you will be paid 41.3p for every unit of solar electricity generated. Any unused units can be exported to the National Grid, for which you will be paid an extra 3p per unit. You can have a larger domestic system, but the tariff reduces to 36.1p per unit of solar electricity generated, on systems between 4 and 10 kWp.
If you want to get the maximum sized system in a small space, a larger more energy-efficient panel might be the answer. For example, eight solar panels, with an area of approximately 13.5 m², would provide you with a 1.88 kWp system.
May be your roof area can take a large domestic system and you want to generate as much solar electricity as possible at the highest tariff of 41.3p per unit. In which case, if your roof area is over 35 m² and the dimensions are suitable, by using a different sized panels, Solar Technology can provide you with a 3.96 kWp system.
Whatever you require, the best system for your budget and your requirements will be recommended, with alternative quotes provided if necessary.
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »
Wednesday, June 23rd, 2010
The majority of domestic PV installations are sited on pitch roofs, but some of us don’t have a roof facing in a good direction (anywhere between south-east and south-west). Not necessarily a problem. Maybe you have a flat roof – on an extension, garage or outbuilding – in which case PV solar panels can easily be installed.
One method is to mount solar panels on low-tilt legs. This metal racking system raises the panels off the roof surface and angles them at approximately 15 degrees to improve the solar electricity input.
Alternatively, photovoltaic panels can be positioned in high-grade plastic mounts, which remove the need for any roof penetration and are suitable for large or small roofs. Some mounts are freestanding – held in place by the addition of ballast – making it possible to orientate the mounts to the optimum position. Another method employs a locking system, which gives an integrated appearance and is recommended where there is a lighter-weight roof structure. The locking system holds the solar panels in place, with a small amount of ballast added if necessary, for example in a particularly windy area. Various combinations of solar panels can be accommodated in these systems, depending on the shape and size of your roof.
If you have a flat roof or pitch roof and want to reap the benefits from generating your own solar electricity, contact a PV Solar Installer to arrange for a free site survey.
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »
Thursday, June 10th, 2010
There are many different ways of mounting photovoltaic panels. This week I’m going to concentrate on conventional domestic roof installations, where the average roof has a 30–45 degree slope.
Solar Technology employ one of the most secure methods, using Schüco stainless steel roof anchors. These are weather resistant, with high reliability, strength and longevity. The size and shape of the roof anchors vary according to the type of roof tile.
The PV installer marks out the preferred layout on the roof, removes a few tiles, before fixing the roof anchors, with stainless steel coach screws, directly on to the rafters rather than on to the roof battens or the roof tiles. This provides an extremely secure fixing, which is particularly important in areas of high wind. The roof tiles are then carefully replaced over the fixing points. Schuco extruded-aluminium mounting rails, specially made for solar panels, are then attached to the roof anchors. These rails raise the solar modules off the roof surface, so that air circulates underneath the PV panels and they will not get too hot. The photovoltaic panels are then slotted into position. Different formats can be used with PV panels either mounted vertically or horizontally, depending on the available roof space.
Then sit back and enjoy your green investment! Not only will the panels supply you with solar electricity, but also under the Feed-in Tariff (currently paying domestic customers 41.3 p for every unit of electricity generated) they will provide an income. In addition you will be reducing your carbon footprint, helping to make the future a greener, cleaner place to live in.
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »
Wednesday, May 26th, 2010
I’ve often heard ‘I don’t think my roof is suitable for photovoltaic panels’. But may be they don’t realize how easily PV panels can be positioned on different roofs or even in the garden.
Some think, because their roof already has Velux windows or a solar thermal system in place, it won’t be possible to fit PV solar panels. Yet, even a large roof-mounted system can be fitted around existing in-roof windows or thermal panels, as solar panels don’t all have to butt up. A medium-sized 2.59 kWp system, for instance, could be split into three and neatly fitted around Velux windows.
May be your house has dormer windows – again this is not usually a problem, for panels can often be placed above or to the sides. Perhaps you feel your roof is too small, but think again, a 6-panel or 1.11 kWp system will fit into an area of approximately 9 m².
Some pitched roofs just don’t face the right way (the ideal direction is anywhere between south-east and south-west). Not necessarily a problem, if you have an extension, garage or suitable outhouse, these might be just right for photovoltaic panels. If these buildings have an angled roof, a conventional rail mounted system can be employed, with even a fairly small extension accommodating a ten-panel 1.85 kWp system. On the other hand, on a flat-roof, an integrated flat-roof system might be the best option, where a surprisingly large number of panels can be installed in a small area.
And, if none of these options suit you, may be a ground-mounted system is the answer. If you have some spare space, these ground arrays can be installed, often facing in the optimum direction of south.
So, perhaps after all you do have a place for a PV solar panel installation and can produce your own clean green solar electricity – why not contact a PV Solar installation company and ask for a site survey.
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »
Sunday, May 16th, 2010
‘I’ve heard PV solar panels are expensive’ is frequently repeated, but is it true?
The initial outlay is not cheap, but look at it as an investment. And don’t forget in Scotland loans of up to £4000 are still available. Consult the Energy Saving Trust – www.energysavingtrust.org.uk – for up-to-date info.
Costs for a 1.5 kWp system are approximately £8300 including 5% VAT, whereas a 3.7 kWp system comes in at about £15,500. But this initial outlay will give a good return. Government statistics suggest a return in the region of 8% p.a.
A PV installation increases the value of your property, reduces your electricity bills, provides an average annual income of over £500 on a 1.5 kWp system and over £1200 on a 3.7 kWp system. These figures are based on a south-facing roof, with a government guaranteed tax-free income, through the feed-in tariff, of 41.3 pence for every unit of solar electricity you generate, with an extra 3p for unused units sold back to the national grid. A south-west/south-east facing roof will provide only slightly less solar electricity, so the return would only be slightly reduced.
Don’t forget you also reduce your carbon footprint, with a saving of about .65 tonnes of carbon a year on the 1.5 kWp system and 1.71 tonnes on a 3.7 system, making for a greener future for all.
So you could say Solar Panels are not expensive after all, just a good investment!
Posted in Renewable Energy, Uncategorized | No Comments »
Saturday, May 8th, 2010
Photovoltaic (PV) solar panels, sometimes called solar electric panels or solar PV modules have no moving parts. They are made up of photovoltaic cells, which, when exposed to high levels of light, capture the sun’s energy and produce solar electricity. They don’t need direct sunlight and will work on cloudy days
The PV panels produce DC electricity, with a small inverter, fitted inside the house, converting the DC electricity into AC electricity. This electricity can be used to run household appliances and lighting. Any unused solar electricity is exported back to the grid. A small wall-mounted display allows the consumer to check on the performance of the PV panels and the electricity usage. The savings on electricity bills and income generated can then be calculated and a ‘warm glow’ felt at the reductions achieved in carbon emissions!
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »
Thursday, May 6th, 2010
This is a Government funded initiative, which provides grants of up to £6000 if renewable technologies are recommended to improve your home.
To find out if you are eligible, visit www.warmfront.co.uk or call their freephone no: 0800 316 2805
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »
