Solar Photovoltaic

Solar PhotoVoltaics (Electric)

Inherent Energy Ltd are MCS accredited installers of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems which generate electricity from sunlight. We will install any size of system, from small domestic systems up to the largest PV arrays installed in the UK (currently around 100-200 kWp). We use high quality components from the top manufactures Schuco, Sharp and Romag. We install BIPV (Building Integrated Photovoltaics) solar tiles and thin film solar products in addition to traditional panels which can be both on roof or in roof.

"My solar PV array installed by Inherent Energy has far exceeded the performance I expected and I live in the North!"

David, Newcastle

A typical system consists of:

Solar PV modules: These are usually installed on the roof of the building. They can be integrated (replacing the tiles) or non-integrated and installed on almost any type of roof (e.g. tiled or metal, sloping or flat).

Inverters and isolators: these are typically installed in the loft of a house (a house will have just one inverter = grey box) or in the switch room of a larger building. The solar PV modules are connected to the inverters which convert the DC electricity to AC. A cable then runs from here to the main distribution board / fusebox for the building

AC isolator, energy meter and distribution board: the PV system is connected into the building’s electricity supply at the main distribution board. An AC isolator (switch) is provided at this point so that anyone working on the building’s electricity supply can isolate the PV system. An energy meter is also provided to show how much energy the PV system has generated.

Visual display: a large display unit can be installed anywhere in a building in order to show building users how much energy the PV system is generating.

Solar PV grants and financing

1) Community Sustainable Energy Program (CESP) - grants of up to 50% with a maximum of £50,000 are available to:

schools
housing charities
charity groups and trusts
churches
village halls
community centres

2) Salix funding for UK public sector bodies - interest free funding to help accelerate investment in energy efficient technologies

3) In 2010 the government plans to introduce a Feed in Tariff which will reward people per kilowatt of electricity generated from there solar PV.

< 4kWp retrofit 41.3p per kWh
< 4kWp Newbuild 36p per kWh
4 - 10kWp 31p per KWh
10 - 100kWp 28p per kWh

In addition to the above there will be an 3p per kWh export premium if you sell electricity back to the grid.

4) Scottish governtment Energy Efficiency Action Plan - £10,000 loans for residential investment in energy efficient technolgies

Both the LCBP and the CSEP can be applied for together which will allow for 100% grant funding in some instances.

We will guide you through your grant application forms so to maximise the help that is available.