Question 1

What is a solar pv system?

Accepted Answer

A solar PV system is made up of a group of solar photovoltaic panels. These panels absorb light from the sun and convert it into electricity to power your home. They’re installed on your roof, giving you a supply of energy even on cloudy days. You can also buy a solar battery to store excess power for a later date.

### How do photovoltaic cells work?
Photovoltaic cells work using silicon based technology to generate electricity. Photovoltaic cells are surrounded by layers of silicon. Light from the sun hits your PV panels, creating electricity to power your home.

Please note, the energy generated from your solar PV panels will be direct current electricity. As your home needs alternating current electricity, you also need to buy an inverter.

### What are the different types of solar PV panels?

There are a few different types of solar PV panels, each works differently and has its own pros and cons. If you aren't sure which type of solar PV panels best suits your needs, we’ve summarised your options below:

- Monocrystalline panels - Very efficient but also costly, these panels are a great choice if you have the spare cash. They’re compact, durable and can convert energy even in low light conditions.
- Polycrystalline panels - Using bonded silicone crystals, polycrystalline panels are more affordable than monocrystalline panels. However, they’re also less efficient and durable.
- Solar PV panels - Created using silicon based cells that are covered with a layer of glass, these panels are very popular. They’re also available in different silicone and glass options.
- Solar tiles - Designed to perfectly blend with slate roof tiles, solar tiles are very aesthetically pleasing. They’re generally one of the more expensive solar panels and can be less efficient than other options.

Question 2

What are the advantages and disadvantages of photovoltaic cells?

Accepted Answer

Solar photovoltaic panels have a range of advantages that set them apart from other options. This means they’re a great choice if you’re considering solar panels. However, they also have a few drawbacks.

Below we’ve summarised the pros and cons of solar PV panels:

**Pros**
- Sustainability - Solar panels take energy from sunlight, helping to power your home for free.
- Lifespan - Solar PV panels can last up to 30 years, making them a great long term energy source.
- Flexibility - These panels can collect energy even on cloudy days, perfect for the UK.
- Maintenance - Solar PV panels are generally low maintenance, although they’ll work more effectively when cleaned regularly.
- Repairs - As these panels don’t contain any moving parts, they’re unlikely to need regular repairs. They are however quite fragile and can be damaged quite easily by falling objects.
- Safety - Solar panels are a safe way of generating electricity with low risk of electrical fires.

**Cons**
- Effectiveness - While solar PV panels can be very effective on sunny days, they do produce less power on cloudy or rainy days.
- Inverter - You’ll need to pay for an inverter when you have solar PV panels fitted to convert the direct current to alternating current electricity.
- Cost - Solar PV panels can be quite expensive to buy initially.
- Space - Solar PV panels do take up quite a lot of roof space compared to solar thermal systems.
- Wasted energy - These panels produce a good amount of energy, however they have no way of storing excess power. Unless you buy a solar battery, this extra energy will be wasted.

Question 3

What does a solar PV installer do?

Accepted Answer

The main role of PV installers or solar photovoltaic installers is to set up new solar panel systems. They work in residential areas, installing solar PV panels on roofs as well as fitting panels in other settings. They also have the skills and training to maintain and repair existing solar PV systems.

Question 4

How much does a photovoltaic system cost?

Accepted Answer

The price you pay for your photovoltaic system will vary depending on a few key factors. These include:

-   Type of panels - Different types of PV systems will be priced based on their specification.
    
-   Size of panels - Larger panels can generate more power but will be more expensive.
    
-   Number of panels - Depending on the size of your home, you may need more or less panels, this will affect the cost.
    
-   Accessibility - Properties with roofs that are difficult to access will mean extra labour costs.
    
-   Type of property - Whether the panels are being installed on a bungalow, block of flats or townhouse will affect the difficulty of the job, impacting the labour cost.

### Solar PV system cost

Ok, let's look at some average solar PV system costs. Considering the capacity of your system, the average price of a solar PV system is between **£5,000 and £8,000**.

For example, if you choose a 3kW system, this will cost around **£5,000**, while a 5kW system will be closer to **£8,000**. For more prices and tips, please visit our [solar panel installation cost guide.](https://www.checkatrade.com/blog/cost-guides/cost-of-solar-panel-installation/)

Question 5

Want to speak to solar PV installers in [location]?

Accepted Answer

Looking for a trustworthy tradesperson can be quite complicated so ensure you find someone who is both qualified and experienced. Our members pass 12 checks to ensure you receive the best service every time. They’re even recommended by your neighbours.

So, how can you find solar photovoltaic installers in [location]? Rather than scrolling through Google for hours, why not let us do the hard work for you? There are two ways we can help with your search. Firstly, consider using our [free search feature](https://www.checkatrade.com/). Just type in your postcode to see a variety of solar PV installers in your area.

Another option, perfect for busy homeowners, is to try our [request a quote feature](https://www.checkatrade.com/post-a-job). Complete our online form letting us know exactly what job you need doing and we’ll pass this onto three local solar PV companies. They’ll then contact you directly with a quote, it couldn't be easier!

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