![]() 700-800 kWh of electricity per year and can be achieved using an array area of about 8 square metres.Ī 3.5kWp system covering 20 sq. Solar systems generate electricity in proportion to the amount of sunlight received, so unshaded, preferably south facing areas are best the roofs of many houses are ideal! As a guide, 1kWp of well sited grid connected PV array in the UK will produce approx. Note that if the grid supply fails, to protect linesmen working on the grid the system will shut down, so these cannot be regarded as a standby source of electricity. Often the lower price paid for electricity sold compared to electricity bought makes it advantageous to make best use of all power generated, for example by using electricity during periods of high generation.Ĭonnection of a Wind/PV electrical system to the grid must have local electricity company approval and approved equipment, installation methods and protection must be used. In addition to the normal Import kWh meter which measures electricity consumed an Export kWh meter may be required to measure the surplus and a Generation kWh meter enables electricity generated to be measured. Power generated is first used within the property to reduce electricity consumption and any surplus is exported to the grid. Various options exist for these including displays which show instantaneous output and record daily production. System operation can be kept track of by periodically reading energy output meters. When the sun goes down, wind stops or there is a power cut the systems shut off. Operation is fully automatic - when the sun comes out or wind blows they produce power. Once installed a wind or solar system will supply electricity cleanly and quietly year in year out - providing an investment in the future. Sufficient renewable resources must be available at a given site to make the use of wind or solar systems feasible. The combustion of fossil fuels with it’s release of carbon dioxide and danger of climate change can be reduced and the risks of nuclear energy avoided. The sun is the source of all renewable energy and can be used directly as heat or electricity or indirectly as biomass, hydro-electricity or wind energy.īy harnessing renewable energy sources other resources can be conserved. Instead of simply being consumers of electricity, ordinary domestic properties, offices and workshops can now generate their own power on-site to reduce both their electricity bills and their impact on the environment. The photovoltaic array or wind turbine are connected to the grid supply by means of inverters which automatically adjust PV array or wind turbine loading to provide maximum efficiency and energy production. In many cases this may not be considered a big issue. A downside is that the renewables system does not act as a back-up power supply in the event of power cuts. ![]() In this situation the grid effectively acts as an ‘energy store’ instead of a site battery system, avoiding the problems and expense of managing and replacing batteries. ![]() Over a period it is possible for a property to achieve numerical electricity autonomy if energy generated equals that which is consumed. All power flows are ‘seamless’ from the point of view of the user. In times of low wind, at night or when power consumption exceeds power generated, power is imported from the grid as normal. Power generated is first used by the house loads and any surplus exported to the grid. Wind turbines should be positioned in clean wind which is strong and laminar, which means it flows in smooth streamlines and is not disrupted by nearby obstacles.These allow a wind turbine or photovoltaic array to be used in synchronised connection with a grid supply. Small wind turbines are an excellent source of power generation when they are positioned in a suitable location such exposed coastal or rural areas. In some instances, you may wish to consider several small wind turbines which maybe less obtrusive than one large turbine. Our small wind turbines are usually considered to be permitted development where land based and do not require planning permission most situations (Check with your local council first).
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