Solar Panels Houghton Regis

Solar Panel Installation Houghton Regis Bedfordshire (LU5): With fears for the environment and continually rising energy costs, a lot more homeowners in Houghton Regis are considering installing solar panels - but precisely what are the pros and cons? There's never been a more opportune time to look into solar power installations with the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG), allowing you to sell back any unwanted power you produce.

The technical term "solar photovoltaic", generally shortened to solar PV, relates to the creation of electricity using solar energy. There's ample sunlight experienced in the Houghton Regis area to generate solar PV in decent amounts. You can potentially reduce your power bills and possibly even generate a modest income by using the SEG, with an effectively placed solar power installation.

By submitting an application for a Green Homes Grant, you could even reduce the outlay of any solar energy panels that you install. By way of this scheme, which the Government introduced in the summer of 2020, if you are considering doing energy saving improvements to your home, you can submit an application for anything up to 10 thousand pounds in grants. You can understand why lots of property owners in Houghton Regis are thinking that this is the best time to think seriously about installing solar panels.

Every household and business needs hot water, so why not use the sun to generate it? In wintertime, even with the reduced hours of sunlight and weaker sun strength, it will preheat your water and greatly reduce the quantity of energy required to bring it up to temperature. In summer time it is even quite possible to have all of your hot water needs met with nothing but a solar thermal system fitted.

You're eligible to sign up the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scheme, if you decide to fit a solar powered hot water or heating system on your home in Houghton Regis. The RHI was introduced for household use in April 2014, after being previously only available to the commercial sector. For those moving over to renewable heating methods, including solar thermal installations, it offers seven years of support. You'll receive a cash payout each quarter throughout a seven year timeframe, if your house in Houghton Regis is eligible to join the Renewable Heat Incentive.

Before you even think about starting the installation of solar energy panels onto the roof of your property in Houghton Regis, there are a number of matters that need to be looked into, including:

1. Does your roof face in a southerly or south-westerly direction? - This helps to optimise the performance of the solar PV panels by capturing the greatest amount of sunlight possible.
2. Will you need planning permission? - In most situations you should not require planning permission for installing solar panels on your property in Houghton Regis. Only if your property is in a conservation area, is a listed building or if you've got a flat roof will you have to check out the restrictions that may exist with your local planning department.
3. What effect on property values can solar panel installations have? - As reported by the Homeowners Association, it has been found that positive and negative affects have occurred in the past owing to solar installations on properties. Recent research suggests however, that thanks to the growing awareness in environmental concerns, solar installations are showing more positive effects on property values than they were previously.
4. Is the roof of your property shaded during the daytime by buildings or trees? - You need to have as much sunlight as possible for maximum efficiency, and any shading will reduce the power generated by the solar panels.

Maintenance - The fact that solar power systems require little or no maintenance is among their most appealing characteristics. The solar panels that are on the market at the moment should last for something like 25 years and require little more than a yearly clean. If your system has batteries attached for storage, these will have to be upgraded every few years, but because this technology is continuously developing, efficiency and battery life is advancing year after year.

Reducing Your Carbon Footprint - The installation of either a solar thermal or solar PV system on your property in Houghton Regis will mean that you can produce green, renewable energy to help to lower your carbon footprint. There are no emissions, no pollutants and you can save around 2 tonnes of carbon from contaminating the atmosphere every year.

Reducing Bills - Our sun is the main source of free energy that we know. So why not make full use of this free energy in your home? After you have paid for the installation of your solar PV panels you will find that your energy bills will be lower. How much that is will be determined by the extent of your installation, however even a typical sized PV system can provide savings of between £90 - £370 annually on your electric bill in the Houghton Regis area.

Noise Pollution - Solar is totally silent. Some people in Houghton Regis are affected by the low frequency sounds that can be made by wind generators, even with small domestic based scenarios. With solar panel installations in Houghton Regis there aren't any moving components and subsequently no noise is generated.

Additional Income - There's a high probability that your solar array will produce more electricity than you need. Therefore, this unwanted electricity can be sold back to your service provider via the Government subsidised SEG (Smart Export Guarantee) scheme. This can be subtracted from your quarterly power bills, or as a cash payment directly to you. This will be set up as a short contract between your electricity supplier and you. Therefore you're not tied in to one power supplier and can change providers to gain a cheaper tariff whenever the contract is up for renewal.

Try to get a minimum of three estimates from different sources in Houghton Regis and never hesitate to ask neighbours, family or friends for advice if they've had solar panels installed on their house. To help reduce the initial cost of buying and installing your solar PV system, it's a wise idea to enquire about any grants that are currently available in the Houghton Regis area for green energy schemes, whilst you are gathering your estimates.

It's also vital to see examples of work that has been completed by any potential solar installation company that you are considering. By providing an extensive portfolio for you to flick through, a top notch solar installation company in Houghton Regis will be happy to showcase their history of clients and their experience in the solar industry.

There are some professional associations, trade bodies and organisations that are specific to the solar installation industry. Training, technological updates and advice on all things connected with the renewable energy marketplace, are provided by these specialist bodies. With regards to choosing a solar installer in Houghton Regis, it's advisable to give preference to a company that's associated with a professional organisation such as:

MCS - Any installation of solar panel systems in Houghton Regis should be done by a Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) certified company. The Microgeneration Certification Scheme offers a level of recognition in the solar PV sector, and is an indication of good quality for the solar installation company, plus all its supplied solar electricity generation equipment.

The Renewable Energy Association - Within the sustainable energy and clean technology industry, the primary trade body is the REA (Renewable Energy Association). It provides training to more than five hundred companies who are members and applies their combined influence to commit the UK to the possibility of a zero carbon economy in the near future.

The Solar Trade Association - Working along with industry, local authorities and Government to make available the very best solutions in solar technologies, the Solar Trade Association (STA) operates at the forefront of technology. A well-regarded and established leader in the solar sector, the STA provides training and support for anything from small-scale generation on domestic homes, to large solar power arrays.

Solar PV Upgrades

The long-term efficiency and effectiveness of a solar power system depend on upgrading its solar PV components. Existing solar energy panels can have their durability improved, output increased, and lifespan extended through upgrades as technology advances. Newer, more efficient solar panels are often installed as an upgrade to replace outdated ones in solar power systems. Along with the increase in electricity generation, there is a corresponding decrease in the solar array's overall size. Other upgrades may include installing energy storage solutions, such as batteries, to store excess energy generated during the day for use at night or during periods of low sunlight. The addition of micro-inverters or the upgrading of inverters can increase the system's conversion efficiency. Furthermore, solar PV upgrades help combat climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The increase in the efficiency and output of solar power systems leads to the burning of fewer fossil fuels for electricity generation, resulting in less carbon dioxide and other harmful emissions. Solar PV upgrades are both financially advantageous and environmentally responsible. To summarise, solar PV upgrades are a cost-effective means of improving solar power systems' performance and achieving a higher return on investment over their lifespan.

Solar Panel Cleaning Houghton Regis

I would guess that worrying about the methods of cleaning your solar panels would be pretty much the last thing you're concerned about when you are initially looking at installing solar panels in Houghton Regis. In reality, this is quite an important consideration even during the planning phase, given that having dirty solar panels can have a negative impact on their efficiency and cost you money. If you like to think ahead, it's possible to install an automatic cleaning system for solar panels, and this ought to be done concurrently with your panels are fitted, if you choose to go for this option.

Although the normal action of falling rain will keep your panels fairly clean, you'll need to give them a proper going over from time to time. When they've not been properly cleaned, solar panels will normally suffer a build-up of dirt and grease, although this probably won't be noticeable when looking up from a distance. To make certain that a major build-up of filth doesn't occur, an annual cleaning agenda will have to be organised. These days, some of the better power washers (for example Karcher) come with innovative cleaning accessories, so it may be entirely possible for you to keep your own solar panels clean. If this isn't feasible you can use the services of a local panel cleaning company in Houghton Regis, or a window cleaner specialising in this kind of service (which many do). (Tags: Solar Panel Cleaning Houghton Regis)

Ground Source Heating Systems

To warm homes and buildings in Houghton Regis, ground source heating systems or geothermal heating systems are used, which rely on the constant earth temperature as a heat source. This renewable energy source is highly efficient and environmentally friendly, as it reduces carbon emissions and eliminates the need for fossil fuels.

Through the circulation of a mixture of antifreeze and water in pipes that are buried deep underground, a ground source heating system absorbs heat from the earth and conveys it to a heat pump. The heat pump carries out the task of amplifying the heat and distributing it throughout the building.

The higher initial cost of ground source heating systems, compared to conventional heating systems, can be offset by the long-term savings through lower maintenance costs and reduced energy bills. Geothermal heating systems are an excellent choice for those looking for a long-term and sustainable heating solution as they are highly durable and can last for years if not decades.

Additionally, some governments offer financial incentives, such as grants and rebates, for householders who install geothermal heating systems, making them a more accessible and affordable option for those interested in increasing energy efficiency and reducing their carbon footprint. All in all, ground source heating systems are an eco-friendly and sustainable solution for cooling and heating homes and buildings in Houghton Regis, with durability and long-term cost savings.

Solar Panel Batteries

A solar panel battery can help you store the solar energy you create with your solar panel. This stored energy can then be used for powering your appliances, phone or home. Your exact requirements will determine the capacity and size of solar batteries that you pick. For example, if you regularly use the air conditioner or the fridge, one battery won't be sufficient.

When purchasing solar batteries for your energy system, you should certainly think about the DoD (or Depth of Discharge). Higher DoD means a battery that will last longer. The least cost-effective batteries are those that are over discharged or degraded, because less power is stored. As it determines how much available energy your home can use, the capacity of a battery is important.

A solar battery can be charged up to be used in the evening or during times when the sun isn't out. This should save you money on your power bill. Furthermore, solar panels will continue to generate energy even during dark and cloudy days. Any surplus energy can be sold back the your utility company, lowering your bills even further.

Solar Panels Near Houghton Regis

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Houghton Regis Solar Panel Tasks

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