Solar panel electricity systems, also known as solar photovoltaics (PV), capture the sun's energy using photovoltaic cells. PV cells are made from layers of semi-conducting material, usually silicon. These cells don't need direct sunlight to work – they can still generate some electricity on a cloudy day – even in the North West of England! The cells convert the daylight into electricity, which can be used to run household appliances and lighting.

The benefits of solar electricity

Cut your electricity bills. 

Sunlight is free, so if your house uses the electricity that you have generated, it follows that you don’t need to buy as much from your electricity supplier (e.g Scottish Power, e.on or British Gas etc.) With each kW costing anywhere between 14p and 22p per unit, you can make significant savings on your bills.

Get paid for the electricity you generate. 

The UK government’s Feed-in Tariffs pay you for the electricity you generate, even if you use some or all of it. The scheme was introduced to encourage more people to invest in renewable energy.

Sell electricity back to the grid. 

Your supplier has already agreed to assume that you are using half of the generated power and exporting 50% back to them. They will pay you an additional Export Tariff even if you use all of it at home.

Cut your carbon footprint. 

Solar electricity is green renewable energy and doesn't release any harmful carbon dioxide or other pollutants. A typical home solar PV system could save over 1.5 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year – that's more than 45 tonnes over its lifetime.