New Home, New Solar Panels: What Every Homeowner Needs to Know

Congratulations on buying a property with an installed Solar PV system! This installation means you can harness the power of the sun to generate a portion of your electricity. Embracing solar energy not only helps you reduce your carbon footprint but also saves you money in the long run.

Solar energy guarantees you lower electricity bills than you pay now, or even no cost at all. And you always have the opportunity to sell any unused electricity to the Grid to earn money back from your system.

Below we will guide you through how solar PV works, how your system will function and how you can benefit.

How Solar PV Works

Solar photovoltaic (PV) systems convert sunlight into electricity through a series of processes involving solar cells. Understanding how these systems work will help you maximise their benefits and ensure they run efficiently. Below, we'll break down the fundamental components and operations of a solar PV system.

Solar Panels

At the heart of any solar PV system are the solar panels, which contain numerous solar cells made primarily from silicon. When sunlight strikes these cells, it excites electrons, generating an electric current. The more sunlight the panels receive, the more electricity they produce. Most residential systems use monocrystalline or polycrystalline panels, with monocrystalline being more efficient but typically more expensive.

Inverter

The electricity produced by solar panels is in the form of direct current (DC). However, most home appliances and the electrical grid operate on alternating current (AC). This is where the inverter comes into play. The inverter converts the DC electricity from the solar panels into AC electricity, making it usable for your home. Additionally, many modern inverters come with monitoring capabilities, allowing you to keep track of energy production and consumption. This will typically be in your loft space, or it may be in an attached garage or basement.

Excess Energy Export

Once the electricity is converted to AC, it flows into your home, powering appliances and lighting. If your solar panels generate more electricity than you consume, the excess can be sent back to the grid. This is often tracked through a process called export tariffs. Your utility company will provide you with credits for the surplus electricity, which can offset future energy costs.

Battery Storage (Optional)

For those looking to maximise their solar experience, adding battery storage can be beneficial. Batteries allow homeowners to store excess solar power generated during the day for use at night or during cloudy days. This can further decrease reliance on the grid and enhance energy independence whilst decreasing your energy bills. However, be sure to consider the additional costs and whether it aligns with your energy needs before installation. Atlantic Renewables can advise on whether a battery would benefit you and your energy consumption habits.

Maintenance and Monitoring

Solar PV systems are generally low-maintenance but should be checked regularly. Make sure the panels are clean and free from debris, as dirt and grime can impact efficiency. Monitoring systems help you track performance and identify any issues early, ensuring your solar investment remains productive over time.

In summary, understanding how solar PV systems function empowers you as a new homeowner to full advantage of the system installed on your property. With a grasp of the components and their roles, you'll be better equipped to optimise your solar energy utilisation while contributing to a sustainable future.

Taking Advantage of Your System

When you moved into the property, hopefully the previous homeowner left you some documents with details of your solar PV system. This may include:

• MCS Certificate

• Datasheets for the solar panels, inverter and battery storage

• Single-Line Diagram of the PV system

You will need your MCS certificate to be able to apply for export tariffs.

As of January 2020, electricity suppliers with more than 150,000 customers will be obligated to offer export tariffs to those generating surplus energy through their solar panels -- though some energy suppliers, such as Octopus, have voluntarily opted in to providing export tariffs for outgoing power ahead of schedule. This is called the Smart Export Guarantee.

There are no set prices for export tariffs, but every larger electricity supplier will be required to provide at least one export tariff option to any customer with an MCS accredited system of less than 5MW.

Speak to your electricity supplier to see what export tariffs they offer, or visit the Solar Energy UK website to see a league table of the suppliers offering the best rates.

Troubleshooting Your System

Scenario: You've just settled into your new home, and it’s your first experience with a solar energy system. You might be wondering if everything is functioning properly! Fear not; the following guide will walk you through the essential steps to verify whether your solar panels, inverter, and battery are operating effectively.

Inverter

Inverters typically have a long lifespan, and shouldn’t have any issues once they are up and generating. Inverter issues will be shown as either an error code on the screen, a red light blinking or a notification on the online monitoring app or portal. This could be due to the age of the inverter, or an internal fault.

Generation Meter

The generation meter will have a red flashing light when the system is generating during the day, and will stay lit during evening and night hours. It is a good idea to keep an eye on the numbers on screen, as this will tell you if the system isn’t generating, which could be an indication there is an issue somewhere else in the system. If the screen goes blank, or the light stops flashing or lighting up, get in touch and we can help diagnose the issue.

Consumer Unit

The solar system supply to the inverter will be clearly labelled by a PV label underneath the circuit breaker. If there is no mains supply to the inverter, no electrical energy will be sent back into the consumer unit or to the grid, to safeguard any engineers working on the network during a disruption such as a power outage.

Electrical Isolators

These are used to safely isolate the electrical energy when the inverter is being repaired by electricians, or in the case of an emergency such as an ARC fault. The isolators are ON when the switches are facing in an upwards ‘12 o’clock’ position. The black switch is the DC and the red is AC. These may be located next to the inverter, or they might be near your main consumer unit.

Get in Touch

If you are still unsure how your system works, or you would like an expert to inspect your new solar PV system, please get in touch and we would be happy to help. Call us on 0161 207 4044 and start taking advantage of your new solar system today!