Solar roof panels have improved considerably over the last few years making them even more efficient and an attractive green investment for the conscientious family.
Roof Mounted Solar Panels
Roof panels are known for providing solar hot water and it is the most common use of solar technology in the UK. Basically solar roof panels work by converting sunlight into electricity and this can be achieved even on a cloudy day. The panels take over the heating of the hot water in a home during daylight hours. This means there is no electricity or gas used to heat the water during the day. At night time the house reverts to using the conventional hot water boiler system.
The solar panels work by gathering heat during the day which is used to heat a fluid within the panels. This fluid then moves through the pipes to the heat exchanger which in turn is transferred to the water in the hot water cylinder.
Flat plate solar roof panels can also be installed inside the roof. These panels use a special low iron glass formula that increases absorption due to its reduced reflective property. This is achieved because the coated surface is not flat and is made up of thousands of tiny pyramids.
Do Solar Panels work in Cooler Climates
The simple answer is yes, solar roof panels are just as effective in cooler climes and work all the year round. Special solar panels have been developed and manufactured for use in temperate climates such as the UK and other northern European countries. These panels can be mounted on a southerly facing roof or alternatively on a east to west facing roof.
The Cost of Installing Solar Panels
The cost of course depends on the size of the home and the number of solar roof panels installed. For example a 1 -2 person system would average around £3,500 -£6,000 fitted. For a 4 person system the price would be around £7,000 - £9,000. Costs for larger systems with more roof panels and larger water tanks, range between £10,000 - £12,000. The largest domestic systems of 4kw would cost approximately £17,000 - Â£20,000. Although these costs seem high, solar roof panels are a long term investment and will easily pay for themselves in less than 10 years. Any excess electricity produced can also be sent back to the grid for resale to other homes and businesses. This arrangement will generate an extra 3p for each unit sold to the national grid. Additionally every unit of electricity produced will earn an extra 41.3p. Over a 25 year period this can add up to an additional £1000+ per annum, which is tax free.
British Gas is also now offering to rent the roof of any their customers and pay for the installation of the solar panels. The benefits for the customer include no installation costs and ongoing savings on the annual energy bill. These savings vary of course depending on the size of the property. For example, a roof with 20m2 area would equate to an annual saving of around £122; whereas a roof with 23m2 area would save around £152 on the annual energy bill