How does solar PV work?

Turning sunlight into usable energy

Solar panels turn sunlight into electricity. In order to use this solar energy you also need an inverter and the necessary cables and mounting materials. Our offer is a complete offer, ensuring that after installation your solar panels will automatically generate your own renewable electricity.

During sunny days the solar panels will produce more electricity than you are able to use. Unused electricity is exported to the national grid. At other times you will use more energy than your solar panels generate. You will then use electricity from the national grid - just like you do now.

How much energy does a solar panel produce?

On every rooftop the total amount of generated electricity will differ, depending on the orientation towards the sun, the amount of shade and the slope of your roof. When you register we ask you a few questions about your roof to give you a personal estimation on how much electricity the solar panels on your roof could generate.

Watt peak (Wp) and kilowatt hour (kWh)

Just like for other electrical appliances, the power of solar panels is expressed in Watts. The amount of generated electricity will depend on the annual amount of sunlight. While the amount of sunlight continually changes, the maximum power output of a solar panel is known as its Watt peak (Wp).

Ideally, a solar panel should be placed in a location that is south-facing and shade-free. Under these optimal circumstances, a solar system installed in London will generate approximately 90% of its Watt peak power.

Taking shade into account

Chimneys, nearby trees and buildings can cause shading on your roof. Shade reduces the available roof space and can have a negative effect on the efficiency of your solar system.

Before installing the solar panels, the supplier will always survey your property and advise you about the possibilities for your solar panels. This way you will know how the solar system will fit on your roof and how much the solar panels will generate, before the installation.