Q & A – Your queries answered…
Q1 What is the Feed In Tariff?
Q2 Who pays for the tariff?
Q3 How much electricity does the average system make?
Q4 How much profit could I make over 25 years?
Q5 Is their any maintenance or moving parts?
Q6 Do we have enough sun in the UK for Solar?
Q7 Will a solar thermal hot water system heat my central heating?
Q8 Is my home suitable?
Q9 How long does it take to install?
Q10 Is the Ecohouse hot water system easy to use?
Q11 Can you install a solar hot water system with a combi boiler?
Q12 Do buyers care how energy efficient my home is?
Q13 Can you put solar panels on a flat roof?
Q14 Where in the UK will Ecohouse install?
Solar Photovoltaic Electricity Systems.
Q1 What is the feed in tariff?
The feed in tariff (FIT) is a generation tariff paid for electricity produced by a solar photovoltaic electricity system. The tariff is paid for all electricity generated regardless of whether you use it or not and is currently a generous 41.3p per unit.
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Despite what most people think, whilst the feed in tariff is supported by all political parties and current government the fee is actually paid by the utility companies. The payment will be guaranteed for 25 years and energy producers will also be paid an additional fee of 3p for every unit you export.
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Q3 How much electricity does the average system make?
Depending on roof size it is usually possible to install a 2.5kWp system (18m2) which should generate 2,125 units per year or about half of the average UK home electricity bill*. The electricity generated is measured in kWh (kilowatt hours) which are the same as units on your bill.
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Q4 How much profit could I make over 25 years?
With an average 2.5kWh system install cost of £12,500 and for illustrative purposes only we assume the system generates 850kWh per year, allow for inflation at 3%, current electricity prices (13p per unit) rising at a conservative 6% per anum and that 50% of the electricity is exported at an additional 3p you system could generate a profit of £35,759 over the 25 year contract.
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Q5 Is their any maintenance or moving parts?
Taking care of your solar photovoltaic system couldn’t be easier the system has no moving parts and the panels are self clean. Most accredited panels come with up to a 20 year guarantee and your system should be producing free electricity for many years after the 25 year feed in tariff has expired.
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Q6 Do we have enough sun in the UK for Solar?
Usually the biggest misconception throughout the UK and whilst a logical question considering our weather the technically advanced solar systems installed by Ecohouse have been developed for the northern hemisphere and work on radiated light. This means they do not require direct sunshine and since the UK receives about as much daylight as the rest of Europe our systems will still produce electricity (photovoltaic) or hot water (solar thermal) whatever the weather.
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Solar Thermal Hot Water Systems
Q7 Will a solar thermal hot water system heat my central heating?
The Ecohouse solar thermal system is not connected to your domestic heating system and unlike central heating hot water is required all year round. Most homeowners will find that a good percentage of your energy requirement is used to produce hot water while central heating is only usually required during the winter months.
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Ecohouse Solar systems can be fitted to the majority of UK homes however in certain circumstances such a designated area of natural beauty, listed buildings or conservation area additional planning consent may be required
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Q9 How long does it take to install?
Your new Ecohouse solar hot water system will usually be installed within one day with minimum fuss and no mess. Our engineers normally return the following day to thoroughly test the system complete the commissioning certificate after which we will issue your ten year guarantee. If you are also having a new condensing boiler fitted then installation would normally be over three days.
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Q10 Is the Ecohouse hot water system easy to use?
Your new hot water system comes complete with an easy to use solar controller which will monitor the roof panel temperature as well as the hot water cylinder. The controller automatically turns the system on and off so no programming is required.
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Q11 Can you install a solar hot water system with a combi boiler?
A solar thermal hot water system requires water storage so a new cylinder would be required if you have a combi boiler. The new cylinder can usually be stored in the roof space or an unused airing cupboard.
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Q12 Do buyers care how energy efficient my home is?
A recent survey by the energy saving trust suggests that buyers are prepared to pay up to £10,000 more for an environmentally friendly house and that 70% of all buyers consider energy efficiency to be of high importance when buying a home.
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Q13 Can you put solar panels on a flat roof?
Solar panels are often located on a flat roof or even the ground by using an A frame panel mount or low profile wind efficient lightweight ballast mount.
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Q14 Where in the UK will Ecohouse install?
Ecohouse is a rapidly expanding company and would be pleased to advise without obligation on any domestic or commercial solar project throughout the UK so please give us a call for an informal chat on 0800 9176234 or drop us a line via email info@ecohousesolar.co.uk or please complete the online survey request
*Energy saving trust – average UK home consumption of 3,935kWh per year
