Solar PV Panels | Solar Panels and PV systems

Hybrid Systems

Types of System

Solar PV electric systems, coupled to the right small scale wind turbine provide a real viable option to provide electrical energy solutions for various applications, especially, if you want alternatives to standalone diesel electric generators.

Together they compliment each other to provide a virtually uninterrupted energy supply.

Grid-Connected

This is when Solar PV modules are mounted or integrated onto or into a building. This is the most common form of Solar electrical installation, which is then connected to the Mains Grid Supply, hence the name ‘grid-connect’.

The PV System is connected via the relevant Isolators and metering systems to the building’s electricity supply and from there into the local electricity network. The Solar generated electricity is used to supply your requirements, or when there is little or no requirement, is transferred back to the mains grid and sold to the utility companies. Outside daylight hours electricity is taken back from the mains grid. A grid-connected Solar PV system directly saves electricity produced by coal, oil, gas or nuclear power stations.

Autonomous

A PV system is autonomous (stand-alone) when it is used ‘offgrid’.
The electricity is stored in batteries, providing a constant supply of DC electricity. These systems are most commonly used in remote locations where other energy sources are not readily available, or where there is a need for the device to be portable.

Hybrid

Combining grid-connected with autonomous systems can provide a consistent source of electricity.
Integrating an additional source of power generation, such as wind turbines, could further enhance the benefits of using renewable energy.

in 40 minutes,
the sun's rays on
earth's surface
provides enough
energy to power
the world for a
full year

shapes & sizes

PV cells generally come in the form of rectangular panels of variable sizes, or in the form of individual solar slates/tiles, that are usually installed on the roof in very much the same way as roof slates/tiles.

Both the rectangular panels and the individual solar tiles, are invariably fitted in multiples.
They can be configured to fit in portrait or landscape format as well as varying shapes to avoid obstructions such as roof lights/chimney stacks, or in a random format for aesthetic functionality.

The solar slates/tiles are always integrated into the roof, but the larger panels can either be mounted onto a framework which is secured to the roof or integrated in a similar fashion to the slates/tiles.

Cleaner Air Solutions use the latest Solar PV technology which allows more flexibility in the methods and location of fitting. This means a wider range of applications can be covered such as conservatory
roofing, cladding, the frontage of buildings and more.

The chosen installation method has no effect on the output of the panels.

Lifespan

All of the solar PV modules we supply and install come with a 25 year manufacturer’s warranty, with an installed working lifespan believed to be up to 50 years (although output efficiency may reduce in latter years). Similarly today’s Wind turbine generators are now lighter and far more efficient, with greatly enhanced reliability, and far less frequent service maintenance required.