Solar PV panels are made from several layers of semi-conducting materials, including silicon, which conduct electricity when exposed to light. PV cells do not need direct sunlight to produce energy and can still function on cloudy days. But power production does increases in line with solar intensity. Each solar panel is capable of producing about 400W of energy during intense sunlight.
Once you’ve invested in the initial installation, there’s not much more expenditure and you’ll be able to benefit from free electricity for the lifespan of your PV panels, which is typically a minimum of around 20 years. With energy costs continuing to rise, imagine how much you could save during that time.
Each system is different and the savings depend on where you live, which way your panels face and many other variables.
For a 4kW system, which can produce 3566kwh of power per annum, the estimated payback time is 3 years and 7 months – which equates to an estimated saving of £68,000 on utility bills over a 20-year period.