RTS - How solar works for you - Manual / Resource - Page 5
Take control of your home’s energy costs. An introduction to solar PV
Grid permission - Any system will need permission from the local Distribution Network Operator (DNO) –
this is NOT your electricity supplier. These are the companies who maintain the electricity infrastructure
that your supplier uses to get electricity into your house.
An application must be made either under a G98 (generally for systems under 3.68kW per phase) within
28 days after the installation, or G99 (over 3.68kW per phase) before installation and on receipt of
permission from your DNO, which may be fast-tracked but can take a few weeks. For larger installations
– and DNO dependent - the grid may need to be upgraded in which case there could be an additional
cost for the connection and potentially some waiting time. However, for a typical-sized house in the UK
this is not very common at the moment.
Structural loading - For a roof-mounted system, the next consideration is structural loading: will the
roof take the loads imposed by the panels (i.e. wind uplift and dead weight)? Luckily in the UK
Building Regulations have historically been robust, and therefore almost certainly your standard roof
will take the loads, but we always need to survey and receive insurance-backed confirmation for
peace of mind.
Shading – Sun blocking through shading is the enemy of solar PV systems as shading can seriously
influence energy yields. While winter shading will have an impact on the overall performance of the
system, summer shading can have a significant effect on the output and return on investment. It is
very important therefore that the system is designed to maximize generation and minimize shading
losses. We can also add a technical solution (such as Optimizers) which reduce the effect of shading on
your system’s performance, maximizing self-consumption where possible.
Planning - Amendments to the Town and Country Planning Act (1990) have changed the way in which
solar installations are treated under permitted development in England. Solar PV systems up to 1 MW
are permitted on walls and pitched roofs subject to the following conditions.
The array must:
• not protrude more than 200mm at any point.
• not be fitted on the side of the property which fronts the highway in conservation areas, National
Parks, areas of outstanding natural beauty etc.
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