What are Solar Photovoltaics?
PANELS, LIKE THE ONES PICTURED HERE, PRODUCE ELECTRICITY FROM LIGHT.
They can be mounted on roofs, both pitched and flat, walls, verandas, carports, pergolas and on the ground. They can be directly integrated into the roof. Pretty well anywhere, south, east or west, as long as not in direct shade all day. Whilst areas fully open to the sun are great if you have areas where say a tree or building shade moves across, with the right system design the effect of shade can be minimised. “Solar Photovoltaic” is the formal name for these type of solar panels and are commonly abbreviated to “Solar PV” or just “PV”.
When electric power is generated, it goes directly into your home appliances and if you generate more than you use this gets automatically directed out to the cables in the road and used by the surrounding area or the Island generally. This energy is called ‘exported’ electricity, and you get paid for it by Guernsey Electricity with their ‘buy back’ tariff. The amount sent to the ‘grid’ in this way is noted on your statements and deducted from your bill.
If you are not exporting you are ‘offsetting’ the power you are using and so saving money on energy you would have otherwise had to pay for.
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