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Questions about the Feed-In Tariff

• What is the Feed-In Tariff?

  The Feed-In Tariff was introduced on the 1st April 2010 by the government to encourage homeowners to generate their own energy from renewable sources. The Feed-In Tariff pays you 41.3p for every unit of electricity you generate even if you use the electricity yourself. The Feed-In Tariff for photovoltaic systems is guaranteed for 25 years, linked to inflation, and tax free for domestic customers.

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• How do I qualify for the Feed-In Tariff?

  To qualify for the Feed-In Tariff, your solar PV system must be installed by an MCS approved installer, like Landmark Solar. If your solar PV system is installed by an installer who is not MCS approved then you will not benefit from the Feed-In Tariff.

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• Are the rates specified in the governments Feed-In Tariffs guaranteed?

  Yes. The Feed-In Tariff is guaranteed in law from the date of commissioning of your solar PV system for a period of 25 years. The Feed-In Tariff will increase in line with inflation annually.

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• Is now the best time to invest in a solar PV system?

  The Feed-In Tariffs that the government have set at the moment are due to be reviewed in 2012/13 and are likely to decrease in the future as the uptake of microgeneration systems increases. The price of photovoltaic technology however is unlikely to decrease dramatically in the near future therefore there is little to be gained by waiting. By investing in a solar PV system now you will benefit from the highest tariffs, guaranteed for 25 years.

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• Do I have to pay tax on the income from my PV system?

  You will not have to pay tax on the income you receive from the Feed-In Tariffs on domestic solar PV system installations.

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• Who pays for the Feed-In Tariff?

  The Feed-In Tariffs are paid for by the energy suppliers, not by the government. They will work the cost of the Feed-In Tariff into their customers' tariffs, so essentially, customers who do not have a solar PV system installed will eventually be paying for those who do.

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• How do I get paid?

  Your electricity supplier will pay your Feed-In Tariffs. Once your solar PV system has been installed all you need to do is contact your supplier, and they will then be able to set up your payments for the electricity you generate.

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• Is a solar PV system a good investment?

  Yes. When you combine the savings made on your electricity bill with the Feed-In Tariffs payments, a solar PV system offers a return of between 8 and 14% each year for 25 years. When compared with other risk-free investments, such as a building society account, the return from a solar PV system represents a good investment.

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Questions about Solar PV

• What is PV?

  PV stands for photovoltaic, which is the process by which electricity is generated using light. Solar PV panels are made up of photovoltaic cells that generate electricity when daylight hits them. Please visit our About Solar Power page for more details.

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• How do photovoltaic panels work?

  Photovoltaic cells use sunlight to generate electricity. They are made up of layers of semiconductor materials (such as silicon) that absorb the sunlight. When the sunlight hits the solar panels, electrons are knocked loose from their atoms and flow through the semiconductor material to produce electricity. An array of solar panels can then produce a usable amount of direct current (DC) electricity to be converted into alternating current (AC) that can be used in the home.

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• What is a kWh?

  A kilowatt hour (kWh) is the equivalent of 1000 watts of energy for 1 hour and it is the most common way of measuring electrical consumption or production. The Feed-In tariff pays you for every kWh of electricity that you produce at 41.3p per unit.

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• Doesn't solar power only work in sunny countries?

  PV panels only require daylight to generate solar electricity, not direct sunlight. This means your PV system will still be producing electricity even on cloudy days. Germany has had one of the largest PV industries in the world for the last 10 years and has a similar climate to the UK.

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• What is a PV module?

  A photovoltaic module, is made up of a series of photovoltaic cells. The modules can then be linked together to form a photovoltaic array.

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• What is the difference between solar PV and solar thermal?

  A solar PV system will generate free electricity and you will be paid for each unit of electricity you generate. Solar thermal technology is purely for heating hot water through solar power and does not produce any electricity. At the moment there is no Feed-In Tariff for solar thermal systems however this is currently under review and may be introduced in the future.

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Questions about Landmark Solar PV Installations

• Is Landmark Solar a member of a consumer code?

  Yes, Landmark Solar is a member of the Real Assurance Scheme and complies with the Real Consumer Code. This code is backed by the Office of Fair Trading, and ensures that all clients receive a consistent high standard of service. For more details on the Real Consumer Code please visit their website at
  www.realassurance.org.uk/scheme/consumer-code

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• What are the advantages of having PV panels installed?

  A photovoltaic system not only allows you to do your bit for the environment by producing free, clean electricity and reducing your carbon footprint, but it is also a good investment. By producing your own electricity, you will save money on your electricity bills and safeguard yourself against future increases in energy prices. With these savings, and the payments from the Feed-In Tariffs, PV systems offer a 8-14% return on your initial investment.

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• How much electricity will a solar PV system generate?

  This will depend on a number of factors, including the size of the system, orientation and the pitch of the roof. The solar PV system size is measured in kilowatt peak (kWp), for instance 2.2kWp. kWp is the standard measure for the output of a solar PV system, and represents its output when tested under 1000 watts per m² of solar irradiance. This value is theoretical and does not represent the true output of the system but is a measure for comparing different products. In the UK a 1kWp system will typically produce about 800-850kWh of electricity per year. So a 2.2kWp solar PV system should produce between 1760-1870kWh per year in optimal conditions.

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• Do I need planning permission?

  Most domestic properties do not require planning permission in order to install a solar PV system. Under class A of The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (Amendment) (England) Order 2008 it is possible to install a solar PV system on most roofs without any formal planning application. However, if your property is a listed building or within a conservation area you should contact your local council before undertaking any work. We would be happy to assist you in doing this.

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• How much electricity will my solar PV system generate?

  This depends on the size of the solar PV system installed. Most homes require a 2-3kWp solar PV system to generate around half their electricity. Any additional electricity that you need can be bought from your supplier as usual. Our solar PV team will be happy to advise you on simple and cost effective energy saving measures that can increase the profitability of your system.

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• How much does installing a solar PV system cost?

  This depends on the size of the solar PV system you require and the individual requirements for installation on your home. See our solar calculator for an estimate of the cost of a PV system, or contact us for a site survey whereby we can provide a detailed quotation.

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• How long before my solar PV system has paid for itself?

  This depends on a number of factors including the size of the solar PV system you choose to install, the orientation and pitch of your roof, and the energy efficiency of your home. As an indication of timescale, the average pay back time for a 2kWp system is between 8 and 10 years. However the solar PV system may pay for itself even sooner than this if electricity prices and inflation rise sharply in the coming years.

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• What if I generate more energy than my home needs?

  Any electricity produced but not used in your own home will be exported back to the Grid and you will be paid at the higher rate of 44.3p per kWh.

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• What if I don't produce enough electricity for my home?

  When you need an additional source of electricity, for example at night when your solar PV system is not in use you can still buy electricity from your supplier in the normal way. However the total amount you buy from the Grid will be lower and therefore your bills will fall. Solar PV systems can be combined with other microgeneration technologies to provide you with an additional source of electricity at night.

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• How long will my PV system last for?

  The technology behind PV panels is well known and tested. There are currently PV panels installed in Japan during the 1960s that are still generating electricity. Modern solar PV systems are very durable and many manufacturers offer a warranty of 25 years on their products. The module efficiency will slowly degrade over time to around 80% of their original capacity after 25 years.

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• What upkeep is involved?

  Once installed solar PV systems require very little maintenance as they are solid-state technology with no moving parts and the surface of the solar panels is self cleaning as long as the panels are installed at an angle of 20° or more. As part of our maintenance package the PV panels will be checked and cleaned at regular intervals to maximise efficiency.

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• What will happen if there is a power cut?

  To ensure the safety of those working on the grid to restore power, grid-connected solar PV systems will automatically shut down when there is a power cut.

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• What is an inverter?

  The electricity generated by the PV panels is direct current (DC), however this needs to be converted by an inverter into alternating current (AC) in order to be used in the home or in order to export your excess energy back to the grid.

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• What is the ideal orientation for a solar PV system to be installed?

  The ideal orientation for PV panels to be installed would be on a south-facing roof at an angle close to 30 degrees. The PV panels will be most efficient if the roof is not overshadowed by trees or other buildings. PV panels can still be installed on roofs facing East or West, however they will be less efficient.

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• Can I install a solar PV system on a flat roof?

  Yes. There are 2 options when installing a solar PV system on a flat roof. The first is to build a small stand which will angle the solar PV at 30 degrees in order to achieve maximum efficiency. Alternatively the solar PV system can be installed flat on the roof, but will usually be less efficient. Flat roofs, for instance on loft conversions, can often be a good site for PV panels as overshadowing is rarely a factor.

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• Do I have to pay VAT on my solar PV system installation?

  VAT is set a 5% for domestic solar PV system installations. All of our quotations include VAT.

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• How much will I save on my electricity bills?

  This depends on how much you pay for your electricity at the moment and also on how much electricity prices increase in the future. To maximise your savings it is best to try and use appliances during the day when the PV panels will be generating free electricity, and less at night, when you will be buying electricity from your supplier.

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• What happens if I move house?

  Having PV panels installed on your roof is likely to increase the value of your home, as the new owner will be able to benefit from reduced electricity bills and a steady income from the Feed-In Tariffs for 25 years.

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• What is the first step for getting my solar PV system installed?

  Complete our contact form or speak to one of our knowledgeable solar PV team. We will need to carry out a site survey of your home to see if it is suitable for a solar PV installation and to discuss what size PV system you require. After this it is very simple - the installation takes 1-2 days with minimal disruption, after which you will be generating free, clean electricity and getting paid for it.

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• Is the solar PV system guaranteed?

  Every Landmark solar PV system is guaranteed for 2 years from the date of commissioning. In the unlikely event that any fault arises during this period, any repairs will be undertaken by us without charge.

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• How do the PV panels get onto my roof?

  Our solar PV team will erect a temporary working platform on the day on installation providing safe and easy access to your roof. Mounting rails will first be fixed to the roof structure by carefully removing and replacing approximately 10-15 tiles. The PV panels will then sit on top of the mounting rails with all wires being run through the loft space to the inverter. The temporary platform will be removed immediately by the installation team after the solar PV system has been commissioned.

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• What happens if it snows?

  Snow will not generally sit on the PV panels as they are coated in low friction material that will cause most snow to slide off and not settle. If snow does settle on the PV panel for prolonged periods then you may wish to carefully clear the snow in order to ensure that you continue to generate electricity.

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• What qualifications do your installers have?

  Every Landmark solar PV system will be installed by a specialist team including highly experienced roofers and qualified electricians. All of our installers have undertaken specialist training for PV panels installation.

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• Will my roof still be watertight?

  Yes. The solar PV system is designed so that the roof will still be watertight after installation of the PV panels.

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