TH Renewables

From sunlight to charge.

Our tech-powered modern lifestyles use up a lot of energy, and as demand increases for energy-efficient housing, solar photovoltaics provide an ideal solution to help meet the demand by creating renewable energy from light.

Solar PV is one of the greenest, cheapest, and easiest ways of generating energy and contributes towards making the homes of the future more sustainable.

Solar panels do not produce carbon emissions – this means as more homes have solar PV installed, there will be a bigger positive impact on the environment and they help to improve your home's emissions, lower your carbon footprint and save money on energy bills.

PV stands for ‘Photovoltaics’ and means converting light into electricity (as opposed to Solar Thermal which is heating water). The solar panels generate DC electricity from sunlight which is fed through an inverter to convert it into AC electricity. The inverter is connected to the consumer unit (fuse board) so the electricity can be used in the home.

 

A typical Solar Energy System Solar photovoltaic (PV) panels

A photovoltaic (PV) panel, also known as a module, is a unit consisting of special cells that generate an electric current in sunlight that are linked together. When the sun shines over the cells, an electric field is created. The stronger the sun, the more electric energy is produced.

Nevertheless, the cells do not need direct sunlight to work, and they can still produce electricity on a cloudy day. A group of modules wired in series is called a string. The cell, the modules and the string formation lead to the end result which is the array.

• The Inverter
The Solar inverter is one of the most important components of the solar PV installation and is the brain of the system. Generally located in the loft space, it converts the direct current (DC) from the panels into alternating current (AC) which can be used in your home.

There are isolators either side of the inverter - the DC side and the AC side. These connect the power from the array into the consumer unit via an RCBO (Residual current operated Circuit Breaker with Overcurrent protection).

• Generation Meter
The generation meter is where you will be able to monitor what your system is generating. The meter will have a flashing red light when your system is generating, the brighter the day the faster the flashes will be. 

• Export Limiters 
When there is solar electricity being generated but not being used, the excess is usually stored in a battery storage unit or exported back to the grid. 

• Cabling and connectors
DC connections and cabling are not the usual PVC/PVC twin and CPC cable used for domestic internal wiring. The PV wiring has to be durable and protected against voltage constraints, mechanical damage, movement, wind, rain and solar radiation.

• Energy Monitoring
Monitoring the system provides a good way of verifying correct system operation. 

 

The world is suffering a climate crisis and things must change before it’s too late. The more that we can do to help towards generating renewable energy and achieving net zero, the better.

 

Solar power is a versatile source of energy that can be used to power a wide range of appliances and vehicles.

Here are some common ones:

  1. Lighting: Solar power can be used to power both indoor and outdoor lighting systems. This includes everything from regular room lighting to garden lights and street lamps.

  2. Heating Systems: Solar energy can be used to power water heaters, swimming pool heaters, and even underfloor heating systems.

  3. Kitchen Appliances: Many kitchen appliances like refrigerators, cookers, and ovens can be powered using solar energy.

  4. Home Electronics: Devices such as televisions, computers, and sound systems can also run on solar power.

  5. Air Conditioning Systems: Solar power can be used to run air conditioning systems, helping to cool homes in a more environmentally friendly way.

  6. Electric Vehicles: Solar power can be used to charge electric vehicles. Some electric vehicles even come with built-in solar panels to help keep the battery charged.

  7. Water Pumps: In many rural areas, solar power is used to run water pumps for irrigation and household water supply.

  8. Ventilation Systems: Solar energy can be used to power ventilation systems, helping to improve air quality and reduce humidity in homes.

Prices of traditional energy sources such as coal, gas and oil are soaring, and the climate crisis is only getting worse. People are looking for alternative energy that is clean and more affordable.

Electricity from solar power is a very important energy source in the move to clean energy production, and more people are investing in it for their own homes.

We’ve put together eight reasons why solar energy is the way forward.

  1. It has less of a negative impact on the environment when compared to other energy sources

    Solar panels generate renewable energy and play a vital role in the fight against climate change. By reducing greenhouse gas emissions, solar panels improve air quality and help to preserve our ecosystems.

  2. It is more financially beneficial than other power sources

    Although there is an upfront cost, solar panels offer a return on investment. With the cost of energy increasing, the savings made through generating your own solar energy will only grow. 

  3. The maintenance costs are low

    Solar panels don’t have any moving parts and are extremely durable, so they shouldn’t require any maintenance. They are even designed to self-clean in the rain.

  4. Having solar panels reduces load on the national grid

    The more sources of solar energy the grid has, the stronger our resilience to blackouts or issues caused by overload, natural disasters, or human-caused disasters becomes.

  5. It creates jobs throughout the supply chain

    The renewables industry is growing, allowing the job market in the sector to increase alongside it. With climate change and the current economic concerns, more people are looking towards sustainable careers in the renewables industry. 

  6. Solar suffers less energy loss than traditional energy options

    When energy travels through power lines, some of the energy can be lost due to the line’s resistance. However, solar energy can help to reduce this loss, as it has less distance to travel if the panels are on your roof.

  7. Investing in solar supports future tech developments

    By helping this industry you are supporting the future of renewable energy and helping to fund future tech development and research into other innovative energy solutions.

  8. Installing solar panels can potentially increase the value of your house

    Solar panels are an attractive feature of a property, given the benefits they provide. Improved technology in the sector also means their design can be discreet and maintain the aesthetics of a home. 

FAQs about the Eco2Solar Solar PV system installed in the Tomorrow Home

Do solar panels need direct sunlight to work?

No, solar panels work in most daylight conditions but the more direct sunshine they receive, the better the generation will be.

How do I use the solar electricity?

If there is a demand for electricity in the home (i.e. an appliance is switched on) the inverter makes sure that the solar electricity is used first. If there is not enough solar electricity then more is drawn from the grid to top it up. This is automatic and seamless, so you do not need to do anything to make it happen.

Will solar panels power my whole house?

No, they are unlikely to produce enough to meet your home’s entire electricity requirements (and certainly not at night) but they will contribute. In the Tomorrow Home, the excess energy is stored in the battery storage system. These batteries store excess electricity generated during the day so you can use it at night or during power outages. If there is no battery system installed, the electricity must be used as soon as it’s generated, or it will be lost.

Will solar panels save me money?

Yes, you should save money on your electricity bill. How much you can save depends on the utility rates, the size of the solar system installed and how effectively you use the electricity while it’s being generated.

Try to make the most of the free electricity by setting timers on your appliances (e.g. washing machine, dishwasher) to run them in sequence throughout the daytime.