Installing Solar Power

FOLLOWING the Devon Energy Efficiency Advice Centre's examination of greener homes in the last issue, reader JANE ASTEN of Exeter asked us if we would like to hear her story of having solar panels fitted. We told her we would - and this is it

I HADN'T planned to put solar panels on my roof last year, but through the spring and early summer the idea gradually took shape as various factors came into play, and the project went ahead.

I have been interested in alternative energy for a long time. In 1991 I had installed an 'off-grid' system of solar electric energy in a cabin I had in Canada. Off-grid meant that I didn't need to connect to the electrical grid system at all; a saving of thousands of dollars at that location.

The three panels and four batteries produced enough electricity for lights, radio, a small television and an electric 'ice-box'. The system has worked efficiently, through extremes of temperature, and benign neglect, for 11 years and at no cost after the initial installation. The cabin is no longer mine, but the system is still making free electricity.

But that was Canada and this is England. Many people tell me there's not enough sun for solar energy here. But I thought it was still worth exploring to see what could be done. I initially looked at the possibility of solar thermal units, which use solar roof installations for heating water. However, after some research I decided that for my house it would be better to upgrade my gas combination boiler to an energy-efficient design known as a condensing boiler. I started looking for grants.

A phone call in the spring to the Energy Savings Trust, which administers energy efficiency grants for the government, proved enlightening. The only grants available, I was told, were for grid connected photovoltaic solar panels. So I was back on track looking at solar power.
In April 2002, the department of Trade and Industry had allocated £20 million for the years 2002 to 2005. The grants were to be administered by the Energy Savings Trust (EST) and covered both commercial and residential installations. For small installations like mine the grant would cover up to 50% of the total costs.

To qualify for the scheme, the installation had to be done by an EST-accredited installer and I chose Beco Solar of Dartmouth. The first thing to do was have my roof checked for suitability. It had to face south with no shadowing from chimneys, etc., and be large enough for at least a basic system of 1kWp. This meant two panels, or modules, each with an 80w capacity giving a total of 960w. This system would produce approximately 650kWh per annum, or about about a fifth to a quarter of my needs. With a larger roof and bigger system, or a smaller house with less demand, it would be possible to cover most or all of your electrical needs.

Domestic properties generally use the least amount of electricity in the middle of the day when solar panels are producing the most. Any excess solar power is exported to the grid; and when there is no solar power the grid fills the requirements of the house in the usual way. The approximate cost for my house would be about £7,000, so even with the government paying half, one obviously can't put solar panels up for a quick return on the money. But I wanted to see what could be done with my ordinary, rather large, house - for me it was an 'investment in the future' and a commitment to my belief in the necessity of weaning ourselves away from fossil fuel dependency.

I wrote to Beco Solar, giving them some details, and sending a picture of the house. It is an old, Victorian, three-storied terrace, with a roof I could not possibly reach. By luck I was having repair work done on the guttering and had scaffolding up, so it was an ideal time to inspect. Beco's Rob Adams came and climbed up, looked, measured and calculated. They could fit six panels on each side of the gable, high up near the ridge. The roof was quite suitable and they might be able to do it while the scaffolding was up, but they would need to work with an experienced and qualified roofer.

Beco Solar had a lot of experience with solar systems but there had not, until then, been much interest in small-scale photovoltaic systems connected to the grid. How would I find a roofer interested in working with such a new-fangled scheme, and weren't all competent roofers booked up months ahead in the spring, especially in the fine weather we were having?

Meanwhile, the builder, still busy repairing soffits and guttering, warned me that the roof was not in good shape. Reroofing is expensive, but did I want to put precious solar modules on a roof that would need repairing in the near future? And I had to find a roofer anyway. I started asking in the neighbourhood and by another lucky chance was given the name of someone who had done several roofs in the street, who was highly recommended, and who was intrigued by the idea of working with new technology. They gathered in my kitchen; Mervyn the roofer, Rob from Beco, and my electrician. Plans were drafted, and timetables drawn up.

Over the next few weeks I was kept busy. There was the grant from the Energy Savings Trust to apply for. The technical information was filled out by Beco and I completed it and sent it off. The grant had to be approved before work started. There was also a connection agreement to apply for, to the local distribution company, and a supply agreement with the company actually supplying the electricity.

Few companies are currently prepared to agree to a 'net metering' system. This is a system where a meter is installed to measure the amount of solar energy going back into the grid, and for which the company agrees to pay the customer the same amount per unit for solar power as it charges for power from the grid. Eventually I signed up with one that had such an agreement.
My 'investment for the future' is now up and running. On the best clear sunny days in August I was generating about 3.5 kWh of power and I am very happy with the operation.

There has been a growing trend towards localising the food industry with farmers' markets and farm box schemes. Individual energy installations are about localising energy systems and increasing the awareness of power sources. Although the installation costs will not be paid back for a long time, it is satisfying to be using a free source of electricity when the sun shines, and to know that you are making a small contribution towards the environment.



For help and advice on tackling climate change and making energy efficiency and renewable energy improvements, please call the Devon Energy Efficiency Advice Centre on 0800 512012. To contact Beco Solar at Dartmouth, call 01803 833636.

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