Our sun is a nuclear reactor which emits energy in the form of photons to our planet every day. We call this Solar Energy. There are various ways that Solar Energy can be harnessed but the two main ways within the UK are via Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Panels and Solar Thermal Panels.
Interesting Facts
- Solar PV systems use direct and indirect (diffuse) light to convert solar energy into usable electricity.
- Solar Thermal uses solar energy to heat water / glycol via flat plate collectors or evacuated tube collectors.
- The electricity or heat created is low carbon and fast becoming the most cost-effective form of creating energy
- In 2020 the UK generated over 13,000 GWh of electricity from solar photovoltaics
- China produces by far the most solar energy in the world, measured at 205 GW in 2019, according to the IEA’s Renewables 2020 report
Opportunities
- Individuals or businesses can take advantage of their own energy costs by installing these systems.
- Over the last five years, the costs have reduced dramatically and whilst subsidy initially has been available in the form of the FIT and RHI (Government incentives for installing these systems), the economic case for installing solar still stacks up.
- The synergy between solar, batteries and EV Cars means that individuals and business can become self-sustaining when it comes to energy.
Challenges
- Access to the network can sometimes be difficult but that aside, with the reduction in cost of the systems, the financial benefits post subsidy are now much healthier.
- Changes to subsidy
- The ever-changing political landscape has produced, what is known as, the “solar roller coaster” but as the industry moves towards subsidy free solar, the outlook looks positive.
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