Is It Expensive?

Q. Isn’t solar power expensive?

A: Solar installation adds as little as 4% to the build cost of an average three bedroom home, but can add this to its final value when sold.  It also helps ‘future proof’ a home against rising fuel prices making properties doubly attractive to price conscious house buyers; as fuel prices continue to rise, energy efficient renewably powered homes will continue to sell at a premium. Retrofits to existing properties tend to cost from around £9k for a 1.44kW PV system.  It can’t be denied that this is a significant initial outlay, but the systems are guaranteed for 20+ years (depending on the panels chosen) and are expected to degrade at well under 1% per year.  With fuel costs expected to rise over this period it can still be seen as an economic investment rather than just an environmental one.

Q: How can I connect my system to the grid?

A: Connecting a PV system to the distribution network will require permission from the Distribution Network Operator (DNO).  The DNOs in the UK have different policies when it comes to connecting PV systems to their networks, and so different rates will be paid for exported electricity.  We will make the necessary arrangements for grid connection. Currently the trend amongst suppliers is not to install export meters but to pay a fixed amount per kilowatt peak installed. This means that you will be rewarded for the electricity generated from your system even when you use it in your home - potentially doubling its value.  Most of the big utilities will buy back the energy you generate for the same price as they sell it to you although this is something that Green Planet will help you find out.

Q: What is net metering? Is net metering available where I live and work?

A: Net metering is a policy that allows homeowners to receive the full retail value for the electricity that their solar energy system produces. The term net metering refers to the method of accounting for the photovoltaic (PV) system’s electricity production. Net metering allows homeowners with PV systems to use any excess electricity they produce to offset their electric bill. As the homeowner’s PV system produces electricity, the kilowatts are first used for any electric appliances in the home. If the PV system produces more electricity than the homeowner needs, the extra kilowatts are fed into the utility grid.

Q: Which electricity supplier should I use?

A: We have a good knowledge of the various tariffs available and are happy to advise the tariff that best fits with your lifestyle and energy usage.  If you need to switch supplier it is not a complicated process and is something that we’re happy to help with.