APN Solar helps property owners understand the options available and find suitable solar panel installers for their project.

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What Are Solar PV Panels?

 

Solar PV panels are panels designed to generate electricity from daylight.

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They contain multiple photovoltaic cells. When light reaches these cells, electrical energy is produced.

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The electricity generated by the panels is direct current, commonly referred to as DC electricity.

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Most homes and businesses use alternating current, or AC electricity, so the electricity passes through an inverter before it can be used within the property.

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The basic process is:

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Solar PV Panels → Inverter → Property Electrical System

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If battery storage is included, the arrangement can become:

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Solar PV Panels → Inverter → Property → Battery → Electricity Grid

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The system works automatically and can continuously generate electricity whenever there is sufficient daylight.

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What Does PV Mean?

 

PV stands for photovoltaic.

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The term describes the process of converting light directly into electricity.

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This means that:

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solar PV panels, PV panels, and photovoltaic panels are all commonly used to describe essentially the same technology.

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They should not be confused with solar thermal panels.

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Solar PV produces electricity.

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Solar thermal systems are primarily designed to use solar energy to assist with hot-water production.

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How Does a Photovoltaic System Work?

 

A complete photovoltaic system usually contains several components.

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Photovoltaic Panels

The panels are normally mounted on a roof, although they can also be fitted to ground-mounted frames, commercial structures, canopies and other suitable locations.

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Their job is to generate electricity.

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Solar Inverter

The inverter converts the DC electricity generated by the panels into AC electricity that can be used within the building.

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The inverter is therefore one of the most important parts of a solar PV installation.

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Mounting System

Solar panels must be securely attached to the building or support structure.

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The mounting arrangement will depend on the roof covering and construction.

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Installations can be made on:

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• Concrete tiles

• Clay tiles

• Slate roofs

• Metal roofs

• Flat roofs

• Commercial sheet roofing

• Ground-mounted structures

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Electrical Equipment

Solar installations also require appropriate cabling, isolators, protective devices and connections to the property's electrical system.

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Monitoring

Many modern systems allow the owner to monitor solar generation through an app or online portal.

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This can show how much electricity is being generated and, depending on the equipment installed, how much is being consumed, stored or exported.

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Battery Storage

A battery can be added to store electricity that would otherwise be exported.

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This allows more of the solar electricity to be used later.

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How Much Electricity Can Solar PV Panels Generate?

 

The amount of electricity generated depends on several factors.

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These include:

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• Number of PV panels

• Individual panel output

• Roof orientation

• Roof pitch

• Geographic location

• Shading

• Weather

• System design

• Inverter efficiency

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A larger solar PV system will generally generate more electricity than a smaller system, but system size should normally be considered alongside the property's actual electricity consumption.

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The objective should not necessarily be to install the largest possible array.

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A well-designed photovoltaic system should provide a sensible balance between installation cost, expected generation and the amount of electricity that can be used within the property.

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Do Solar PV Panels Need Direct Sunshine?

 

No.

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Photovoltaic panels generate electricity from light, rather than requiring hot weather.

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They will therefore continue producing electricity on cloudy days.

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Output will naturally be lower when daylight levels are poor.

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The UK also experiences major seasonal variations.

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Longer spring and summer days normally generate considerably more electricity than short winter days.

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This is why solar performance should be considered over an entire year rather than judged on production during one particular day or month.

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Solar PV Panels for Homes

 

Domestic properties are one of the most common locations for solar PV.

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Panels are normally installed on one or more roof slopes.

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Electricity generated during the day can be used to power household appliances and equipment.

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Typical uses include:

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• Lighting

• Refrigeration

• Washing machines

• Dishwashers

• Home offices

• Cooking appliances

• EV charging

• Heat pumps

• General household electricity use

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If more electricity is generated than the home needs, it can potentially be stored or exported.

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A household that uses substantial electricity during the day may be particularly well placed to consume solar generation directly.

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Solar PV Panels for Businesses

 

Solar PV can also be particularly attractive for commercial properties.

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Many businesses have two characteristics that suit solar very well:

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large roof areas and high daytime electricity consumption.

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Commercial PV panels are commonly installed on:

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• Offices

• Warehouses

• Factories

• Retail units

• Schools

• Colleges

• Farms

• Workshops

• Leisure facilities

• Industrial buildings

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Electricity generated during business hours can potentially be consumed directly on site, reducing electricity purchased from the grid.

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For larger commercial installations, the design should consider the building's electricity demand profile as well as the available roof area.

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Which Roofs Are Suitable for PV Panels?

 

Solar panels can be installed on many roof types, but every roof should be assessed before installation.

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Important considerations include:

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Orientation

South-facing roofs are generally well suited to solar, but east- and west-facing roofs can also produce useful levels of electricity.

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Roof Pitch

The roof angle can affect annual production.

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Installers can model the anticipated performance of the proposed panel arrangement.

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Roof Area

Chimneys, rooflights, plant equipment and other obstructions can reduce available installation space.

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Shading

Trees and neighbouring buildings can reduce output where they cast significant shadows across the panels.

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Structural Condition

The roof must be capable of supporting the proposed installation.

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Older or damaged roofs may require repairs before solar panels are installed.

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Flat Roof Solar PV Systems

 

PV panels are not restricted to pitched roofs.

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Flat roofs are widely used for commercial installations and can also accommodate solar panels on residential properties.

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The panels are normally installed using a mounting arrangement designed to hold them at an appropriate angle.

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Flat roof design needs to consider matters such as:

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• Structural loading

• Wind loading

• Ballast or fixing arrangements

• Drainage

• Maintenance access

• Panel spacing

• Shading between rows

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A competent installer should design the mounting system for the particular roof.

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In-Roof Photovoltaic Panels

 

Traditional solar panels are normally installed above the roof covering.

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Another option is an in-roof solar PV system, where panels form part of the roof finish itself.

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This approach can provide a cleaner architectural appearance and may be particularly attractive for:

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• New homes

• Extensions

• Major renovations

• Roof replacement projects

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It is often easiest to consider in-roof PV during the design stage rather than after the roof has already been completed.

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Solar PV and Battery Storage

 

A battery can increase the amount of solar-generated electricity that is used within the property.

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Without battery storage, surplus electricity that cannot be used immediately will normally be exported.

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With a battery, some of that electricity can be stored.

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The system can then operate broadly as:

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Generate → Use → Store → Use Later

This can be particularly useful where electricity consumption increases in the evening.

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For example, a home may produce surplus electricity during the afternoon and then use battery power for lighting, cooking and appliances later in the day.

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The correct battery size should be considered alongside both solar generation and electricity usage.

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Solar PV and EV Charging

 

Solar PV can also be integrated with electric vehicle charging.

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An EV charger can potentially use electricity generated by the photovoltaic system when sufficient solar power is available.

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For households and businesses planning to introduce electric vehicles, it can make sense to consider future charging demand when designing the solar system.

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This may influence:

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• PV system size

• Inverter selection

• Battery capacity

• Electrical infrastructure

• Smart controls

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A coordinated system can help make better use of locally generated electricity.

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What Size Solar PV System Do I Need?

 

The right size depends on the property.

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A solar installer should consider:

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• Annual electricity consumption

• Daytime usage

• Available roof space

• Roof orientation

• Shading

• Future EV charging

• Battery storage

• Future heat pump installation

• Available electrical capacity

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A smaller home may require only a modest array.

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A large property or commercial building may justify a much larger solar PV system.

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The correct answer should come from an assessment of the individual property rather than a standard package.

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What Do Solar PV Panels Cost?

 

The cost of PV panels depends on the complete installation rather than simply the panels themselves.

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The overall price may include:

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• Solar panels

• Inverter

• Mounting system

• Scaffolding

• Electrical work

• Monitoring equipment

• Battery storage

• EV charger

• Roof access

• Survey and design

• Installation labour

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The quality and specification of the equipment can also vary considerably.

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For this reason, comparing solar quotations purely on price can be misleading.

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A detailed quotation should clearly identify the major components being proposed.

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How Long Do Photovoltaic Panels Last?

 

Solar panels are designed to operate for many years.

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Their output normally reduces gradually over time rather than suddenly stopping.

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Manufacturers commonly provide long-term product and performance warranties.

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However, the panels are only one part of the photovoltaic system.

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Inverters and batteries may have different expected service lives and warranty periods.

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When comparing solar systems, consider the expected lifespan and guarantees for the complete installation.

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Do Solar PV Panels Need Maintenance?

 

PV panels generally require relatively little maintenance.

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Rainfall will often remove normal levels of dust and dirt, although panels can occasionally require cleaning where significant contamination builds up.

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Owners should also be aware of:

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• Physical panel damage

• Loose or damaged components

• Cable condition

• Inverter faults

• Monitoring alerts

• Vegetation causing shading

• Bird activity beneath panels

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Commercial solar systems may benefit from a planned inspection and maintenance programme.

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Choosing a Solar Panel Installer

 

The performance of a solar PV system depends not only on the equipment but also on the quality of the survey, design and installation.

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When comparing a solar panel installer, look for a clear explanation of:

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• Proposed number of panels

• Panel specification

• Total system capacity

• Estimated annual generation

• Inverter specification

• Mounting system

• Battery options

• Monitoring

• Warranties

• Installation programme

• Total price

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The installer should also explain how the anticipated generation figures have been calculated.

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Avoid choosing solely on the basis of the cheapest headline quotation.

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Solar PV Systems for New Buildings and Refurbishments

 

Solar can be particularly easy to integrate when it is considered at an early stage of a construction project.

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A new build or major refurbishment can allow the project team to coordinate:

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• Roof orientation

• Roof structure

• Panel layout

• Electrical routes

• Inverter position

• Battery storage

• Metering

• EV charging

• Heat pumps

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This can result in a cleaner and more integrated installation.

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Photovoltaic Panels as Part of a Complete Energy System

 

Solar PV increasingly forms one part of a broader building-energy strategy.

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A modern system may combine:

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Photovoltaic Panels
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Solar Inverter
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Battery Storage
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Smart Energy Management
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EV Charging
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Heat Pump or Household Electricity

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This allows electricity generated at the property to be used more intelligently.

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The best configuration will depend on the individual building and how energy is consumed.

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Find a Solar Panel Installer Near You

 

Whether you are considering a small domestic solar installation or a substantial commercial photovoltaic system, the first stage should be to understand what your property can realistically accommodate.

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APN Solar helps homeowners, landlords and businesses find suitable solar panel installers operating in their area.

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A professional installer can assess the property, electricity demand and available installation space before recommending an appropriate solar PV system.

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