Considering Solar Panels? Here’s Some Commonly Asked Questions…

Comments Off on Considering Solar Panels? Here’s Some Commonly Asked Questions…

Considering Solar Panels? Here’s Some Commonly Asked Questions…

With the earth’s resources dwindling at an alarming rate, more businesses are exploring the option of investing in solar panels. However, if you’re new to green energy, the prospect can seem somewhat confusing. You may not know what to expect from the installation process or which solar panels to select, or even what sort of results you can realistically hope to achieve from your PV panels.

Here’s a few of the most commonly asked questions about solar panels for businesses – plus some helpful answers.

FAQs About Solar PV Panels

How do solar panels actually work?

1. 1.  In simple terms, your panel collects photons of light from the sun, which it then converts into electrical energy. It does this through the use of semi-conducting material (often silicon) in the panel – and all takes place without any manual input from the solar panel owner.

We don’t get much sun in the UK – is there any point?

1. 1.  True, you’ll often hear UK residents moaning about the lack of sunlight, but actually, we get around 900 to 1,300 kWh of solar radiation each year. That’s 60% of what the Equator gets, so it’s really quite a lot!

Do solar PV panels require sunlight to work? 

1. 1. Direct sunlight is great for solar panels, which is why they’re often installed facing south. However, they work perfectly well in daylight, even if it’s a cloudy day.

How long will my solar PV panels last for? 

1. 1. Generally speaking, you can expect them to last for at least 25 years. In reality, they’ll probably last for around 40 years, though you will need to replace the inverter every decade or so.

Are they too heavy for my roof?

1. 1.  IPS Roofing and BIPVCo have been developing a new solar panel membrane, which is far lighter and more flexible than traditional solar panels – which allows for much greater freedom of placement. You can read all about it in our free brochure here.

Will I need planning permission to have them installed?

1. 1.  It’s unlikely that you’ll need planning permission – unless your business premises are situated in a listed building.

Do solar panels take a lot of looking after? 

1. 1. Not really – and most are self-cleaning, though you may need to have them professionally cleaned from time to time, to ensure they keep performing on optimum.

What are the benefits to my business? 

1. 1. The obvious benefit is savings on bills. It’s likely that you’ll be able to generate most of your electricity from your solar panels, which means a greatly reduced electricity bill. However, there are other notable benefits. By investing in greener energy sources, you’re establishing yourself as an eco-conscious company. You’re reducing your carbon footprint and doing your part for the environment – which is an amazing thing.

What can I expect during installation?

1.  Initially, we’ll send our team over to assess your premises. This enables us to identify the best positioning for your panels; generally somewhere that receives plenty of light and is south-facing. Installation itself is a simple process, and typically only takes a few days.
2. How do I choose the right solar panel provider? Make sure you work with a company with established credentials; who understand the industry and who use only high-performance PV panels. Don’t be afraid to ask questions – it’s what they’re there for!

Innovative Solar PV Panels

IPS Roofing are proud to announce the launch of our innovative thin-film membrane solar panel – manufactured in conjunction with BIPVCo. Our innovative panels are lighter, more flexible and more efficient than standard models, plus are fully non-toxic and completely recyclable.

If you’d like to find out more, please get in touch by calling 01969 625000.