F.A.Qs
Here, we offer some direction and clarity regards solar energy with some FAQs that we are often asked. If you have any further questions that you’d like to discuss, please do reach out and speak to us.
Frequently Asked Questions
General F.A.Qs
Solar panels work by taking the Direct Current (or ‘DC’) energy from the sun’s rays into an array of photovoltaic (‘PV’) cells and converting it using an inverter into useable (Alternate Current, or ‘AC’) electricity. This energy can then be distributed through a home’s electrical panel and used to power any mains-powered electrical device in your home.
The cost of a solar panel system really does depend on how many solar panels you need. They count for the bulk of the system cost, but cheaper panels does not mean better panels. It is worth looking into such things as how efficiently they work, and whether they have a long warranty. You may also need a greater number of panels if your roof is not south facing. As well as panels, your system will need an inverter plus the cost of installation. You may also want to factor in a battery; battery technology has come a long way in the last few years, and they make a great solution to storing excess energy.
As part of our end-to-end service, Cobolt Blue Energy will provide you with all the information you need both on the cost of a system, and the return you will get on your investment.
All solar systems must be installed by an expert with the right accreditations. Working at height can be dangerous, so it is important to work with experienced professionals. A professional installer will also ensure that the entire system is optimised to produce and store energy.
At Cobolt Blue Energy we will select the best installer team from our roster for your project.
Solar panel efficiency tells us how much of the sunlight that hits a panel can be converted into usable electricity. This number is often expressed as a percentage, largely due to the power rating of a standard-size panel.
Efficiency depends on a number of factors:
- The ideal place to install solar panels is on a south-facing roof. This will increase the amount of energy that can be produced since a south facing roof gets the most hours of sunlight.
- Some solar panels are more efficient than others. Efficiencies these days can be up to 23% from higher power panels such as those with 700W ratings.
- Solar panels are made up from an array of photovoltaic cells. Overall efficiency also depends on the types of cells used; those with higher quality IBC cells are the most efficient.
- The quality of a Solar panel inverter will also impact on the efficiency of your system. The better the inverter, the higher the conversion from sunlight to electricity.
Whilst all solar panel systems create ‘green’ energy, some systems are greener than others. Where the panels were manufactured, how efficient they are, and the materials that are used all contribute to green credentials.
At Cobolt Blue Energy, we take our responsibility to the planet seriously, which is why our choice of panel supplier was informed by their commitment to the sustainable agenda. You can read more out this here.
The simple answer is yes, there are grants available for solar panels in the UK. However, the amount of support has reduced compared to what was available historically. Cobolt Blue Energy are renewable energy experts, and part of our role is to support you with maximising any grant funding that could be available. If you have any questions regarding grant funding, please get in touch.
Solar Panels these days are technologically advanced, and work at high efficiencies. They are able to produce energy for your home from daylight, and do not need it to be sunny. Solar panels will work even on cloudy, overcast days. If you are able to see your panels, then it should be light enough for them to work.
No, solar panels need daylight to be able produce energy from the sun.
Cobolt Blue Energy are committed to using the highest quality components on the market. The solar panels that we install are manufactured by Meyer Burger, and have class leading warranties of 25 years (extendable to 30 years). It is typical for panels to outlive these warranties though, as they do not have moving parts and therefore tend to be low maintenance.
The amount of energy that your solar system can generate should be more than enough to power all of the electrical appliances in your house; Cobolt Blue Energy will ensure that this is the case through our expert consultancy. This means that they should also be adequate energy to power an Electric Vehicle (EV) if you have one.
This is a great way of maximising the return on your investment…not only are your reducing your domestic utility bill, but you are also potentially able to run your car or cars on energy that you haven’t needed to pay for.
The inclusion of a battery in your system brings the flexibility that you need if you are keen to use solar power to power your EV. By storing the energy you have created, you are able to charge your EV overnight.
Frequently Asked Questions
Residential F.A.Qs
The number of solar panels needed to power a house really depends on two things:
- How much energy does your house need to run? The more energy you need, the greater the number of panels you will require. It usually follows that bigger houses with more occupants require more power. If you have an EV (Electric Vehicle), then you will need to ensure that its energy requirements are catered for.
- Do you want to store excess energy?
With the advances in the efficiency of solar panels and batteries, it is absolutely possible for all of a home’s electricity to be garnered through a solar panel system. What the system won’t do is replace any items that run on gas, such as cookers, gas hobs and boilers.
Solar panels do not need direct sunlight to enable them to harvest energy; simple daylight will do. This means that it is perfectly viable to install solar panels in the UK, where the amount of direct sunlight is less than in other countries.
The simple answer is ‘yes’. A modern solar system ensures that your home will produce usable energy for decades to come, even after you have moved on. It is increasingly common to see solar panels featured in the sales information for house sales, and of course they contribute to much better Energy Performance Certificate ratings, too.
Cobolt Blue Energy are project managers that will provide a comprehensive service. This means that we will guide you through all of the legislation and compliance requirements that pertain to your solar power system. We are here as expert consultants, and will hold your hand through the whole of the process!
Yes. A more recent development in solar technology is that high-volume domestic batteries are now affordable and efficient. They are commonly known as ‘solar batteries’.
Historically, you always had to use the power that was being generated through your solar panels immediately, meaning that you were forced to use high-powered devices and pieces of equipment whilst the solar panels were generating energy. Now however, you can install a solar battery into your home’s system to ensure that the energy isn’t wasted.
This is particularly valuable now that it is harder to make as much money from selling energy back to the national grid. However, some solar batteries still allow you to sell the energy as well as store it.
A typical solar battery will cost between £2,000 and £8,000 depending on their size, but prices are reducing all the time. At Cobolt Blue Energy, we partner with Solar Edge, a leading manufacturer of solar batteries & Inverters.
The size of your house and the number of devices that you want to power will dictate how many solar panels you need. Bigger houses will usually need more heating and will have more devices, so will need a greater number of panels to provide enough power.
You also need to consider the available roof size, and the amount of sunlight you usually get. You could of course consider placing solar panels within your garden and outside area too, as long as they are positioned safely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Commercial F.A.Qs
How much a commercial solar system will cost largely depends on the size of your business; the more panels you use, the higher the cost…but also the greater the saving.
As a very rough guide, a small to medium sized business should assume that the cost will be between £20,000 and £60,000.
Yes, there are grants available that could help towards the cost of your commercial solar panels, particularly for small to medium-sized businesses. These are often managed on a regional basis, so the amount of support you can get may be linked to your location.
If you are in need of advice, please drop us a line and we will be happy to guide you through the available options.
On average, the cost of producing commercial solar energy from PV units is around 5p per kilowatt hour (kWh). This represents a saving of up to three times the cost of using energy from suppliers.
Commercial solar panels often do not have the need to be as aesthetically appealing as residential panels. This means that the onus can be placed even more on efficiency and how robust they are.
Increasing the amount of renewable energy that your business uses, or reducing its carbon footprint, will contribute to a positive environmental, social and governance (ESG) score. Improving your ESG score could give you a marketable competitive edge, improve customer advocacy and make your business more attractive to a wider range of investors.
You should be able to install a commercial solar panel system with few legislative issues. This is due to the ‘Permitted Development Rights’ which support the installation of roof-mounted solar panels. Cobolt Blue Energy are your end-to-end project managers, so we are perfectly positioned to help answer any compliance questions that you may have.
Sustainable Development Goals, also known as SDGs, are a series of seventeen linked objectives designed to help businesses work towards ethical goals. They were adopted by the United Nations in 2015, and include a number of goals around sustainability. Cobolt Blue Energy are able to talk to you about how SDGs can support your corporate social responsibility. You can also find out more about SDG’s here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Technical Solar Panel F.A.Qs
The mains components of a solar system are as follows:
Solar Panels themselves, also known as PV units
The visible part of the system that is used to harvest solar energy.
Inverter
The inverter converts DC energy into usable AC energy.
Power Optimiser
A power optimiser will help maximise the amount of energy your system is capable of producing.
Battery
Batteries are an optional extra in a solar system, but provide a solution to the storing of energy, thus maximising the flexibility of your system.
Software
Any system will include user interface software that enables your system to be controlled and managed via an app. Software will not only inform you of the amount of energy being harvested, but also of any faults that may occur in your system.
Solar batteries are a relatively new advancement, but are hugely beneficial for any system. They work by storing the excess energy produced by a solar power system so it can be used at different parts of the day or night. Batteries are particularly useful in the winter months, and for users of Electric Vehicles (EVs).
There are two types of solar batteries available in the UK – lead-acid and lithium-ion. The newer technology is lithium-ion, so they tend to be more efficient and longer-lasting.
Solar batteries tend to differ according to their size – how much energy they can store. The cost of solar batteries is reducing all the time, making them an affordable part of your system.
Round Trip Efficiency is a metric that indicates the efficiency of your solar system. This metric will compare the amount of energy that enters your system from the sun with the amount of usable energy that remains. Broadly speaking, anything above 80% is a benchmark for good efficiency. The higher the number, the more efficient your system.
Partnered with
Meyer Burger produce some of the world’s most efficient and sustainable solar cells and panels. Their leading-edge solar cells and panels are all manufactured in central Europe from factories that operate on renewable energy. As a specialist partner, Cobolt Blue Energy work on a strategic level with Meyer Burger and are able to consult with them directly on your requirements.
Testimonials
What Clients Say About Meyer Burger Solar Panels
Customer feedback is a key part of our quality assurance process. Here is some of the feedback that we have received about the quality of the Meyer Burger Solar Panels that we supply.
Partnered with
Founded in 2006, SolarEdge has already revolutionised the solar industry with game-changing innovations that improve energy efficiency and maximise production. Through their steadfast commitment to innovation and sustainability, they really are leading the way towards a brighter future. We are proud to be one of their Preferred Partners and be able to bring their innovative SMART solutions to the marketplace. Coupled with the technologically advanced Meyer Burger panels, we firmly believe we have curated the best solutions on the market.
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Whether you are a residential or commercial client, we’d love to hear about your plans and are ready to answer any questions.
