September 2017 – The Benefits of Solar Power

Published on: 29/09/2017

Discover the extensive range of benefits solar power provides

Solar panels can reduce energy bills and sometimes pay you for producing electricity which makes them a desirable solution if your energy costs are going up.

Solar panels are a huge investment for both consumer and industrial users, they can cost thousands of pounds to install so the benefits of introducing solar panels to your home or business need to be fully explored before you make your decision.

Solar Power: How do Solar Panels Work?

Solar panels utilise the suns energy through photovoltaic cells. Photovoltaic cells convert the sunlight generated in to electricity which can power your business or home. Solar panels can still produce electricity on an overcast day and do not need direct sunlight to produce power.

Benefits of Solar Panels

1)    Solar panels are renewable and sustainable; this type of power will always be available

2)    They are environmentally friendly because solar electricity doesn’t release harmful carbon dioxide (CO2) and other pollutants into the atmosphere

3)    Although solar panels are an extensive investment to get installed, the power generated through sunlight doesn’t cost anything after that

4)    If you use solar panels you are eligible for Feed-in Tariffs where you will earn money for each kWh of electricity you generate and you also get an additional payment for the electricity you export back into the grid

Disadvantages of Solar Panels

1)    Solar panels are extremely expensive to get installed unless you qualify for financial support, they can cost between £5,000 – £8,000 according to the Energy Saving Trust

2)    Solar panels are dependant on weather, although they still produce power on a cloudy day, the weather will influence how well they work

3)    There are limitations on installation, the roof needs to be big enough to fit the panels on, your home or business must reach band D or higher in the Energy Performance Certificate and ideally your home or business would be south-facing

4)    Installing solar panels is a big initial outlay and building work is required which can sometimes put people off installing them

Before installing a system, you should check if any energy saving measures could save more, such as switching suppliers, loft or wall insulation. The panels will form part of your home’s structure and if your insurer decided you need a higher level of cover could result in your insurance becoming more expensive.

Check that your solar panels have a good warranty, your home insurance won’t guard against any mechanical fault in the panels so if they stop working you’ll need to replace them. You may also be required to insure them separately by your insurance company, make sure you check these details before you commit to installing the solar panels.

GD Rectifiers stock a wide range of IXYS Solar products used for solar power technology, including: diodes, solar cell arrays/cards for charging batteries in portable electronics, solar bit evaluation boards, schottky rectifiers for solar cell generation systems and portable solar battery chargers.

View GD Rectifiers Solar Power product range here

For further information on all Solar power products please call: 01444 243 452 or email: enquiries@gdrectifiers.co.uk