4kW Solar Panel Systems
Install PV Solar Panels and qualify for the 15.44p feed in tariff rate. Complete the form above to speak to our Eco Experts and receive quotes from MCS accredited installers in your area.
A 4kW solar panel system can earn and save you up to £877 every year and cost as little as £6,000 if installed by UK MCS certified suppliers.
Solar PV Systems
Solar PV panel systems usually consist of two or more solar (PV) panels. These are connected together to achieve a certain power output. For example a typical 4kW solar PV system can be made up of 21 lots of 190 watt solar PV panels, mounting rails, roof mounts, fixing clamps, panel fixing clamps, two DC isolators and a grid-tie inverter (which converts DC to AC).
Grid-tie solar PV systems do not require batteries as they are able to feed directly into the mains supply using special inverters unless the system is off-grid. Then it will need a bank of batteries to store the electricity until it is fed into a different type of inverter.
Feed in Tariffs
The Government introduced the Feed-in-Tariff (FiT) to encourage residents to embrace solar power.
Currently the Government will pay out 15.44p per kWh of electricity generated and used by the resident. However, they they will also pay for the energy you don't use. The FiT pays 4.5p per kWH of electricity that isn't used and is instead exported back to the grid.
There rates can vary depending on a few factors, including the system size, when it was installed and whether the installer was MCS accredited. The FiT only applies to solar PV panels that were installed by a MCS accredited installers.
On top of these payouts residents will also save on their energy bills. It all adds up!
How Much Money Can I Save or Earn?
The amount of money that can be earned or saved by using a 4kW solar PV system will depend on the direction of solar panels once they are installed, the geographical location and the amount of electricity consumed.
Assuming only 50% of the energy generated is used and the 4kW solar PV system is in London, then the savings you make on your energy bill, and revenue generated from the FiT could amount to around £877 a year.
The exact amount you end up with will vary and it always helps to make as many energy saving measures as you can. Never leaving appliances in standby mode and take showers instead of baths. Remember, it is always cheaper to save energy than generate it, even using solar PV panels.
Solar PV System Prices
The price of a 4kW solar PV system will vary between suppliers according to their labour charges and which brand of solar PV panels they supply. Be sure to only use MCS accredited installers or you will not be eligible to earn cash from the Feed in Tariff. Only MCS accredited installers are able to supply MCS approved solar panels and the typical price of an MCS approved 4kW solar PV system is around £7,000 installed.
Finding the best suppliers of 4kW solar panel systems can be done by using legitimate solar energy comparison and information websites. Specialist solar energy information and comparison websites, such as this one, can provide product information and reviews and connect users to the many of the most experienced MCS solar panel suppliers in the UK.
Installing 4Kw Solar Panels
The size of the solar panel system you install will depend very much on the size of your roof. The ideal place for panels to be installed is on a south facing roof. You will need to have available roof space of at least twenty one square meters to install a 4KW system. You will also require a roof which is sturdy enough to hold the panels securely, therefore an official check and any strengthening work deemed necessary must be carried out.
The panels will also work best if they are exposed to the most amount of daylight possible. It is therefore strongly advised your PV panels are fitted to roofs which aren't overshadowed by other buildings or trees. With the exception of listed buildings, planning permission is no longer required when fitting panels to domestic properties.
However, they must not be installed above the highest point of the roof (not including the chimney) or jut out further than 20cm from its slope. (The 20cm rule also applies to wall mounted panels.)
These rules have been put in place to minimise any adverse effects to the aesthetic appearance of a building. For tenants wishing to install solar panels, permission must granted by the owner of the property.
