About Solar

The sun bathes the earth in an incredible amount of solar energy. In a day, enough solar energy arrives to power the whole world for several years.

Solar energy has a long and proven history both globally and in the UK.

The UK government conducted extensive testing of solar electricity systems between 2000 and 2005. Known as the Photovoltaic Domestic Field Trail (PV DFT) the tests monitored groups of domestic buildings through all phases of design, building integration, commissioning and operation.

The tests found that 'solar electricity is a viable and very practical technology', which led to the government grants for solar electricity under the 'Market Demonstration Programme'. This is turn paved the way for the current Solar Feed-in Tariff.

The report concluded that solar electric system operated "in line with expectations and provide annual yields above 800kWh/kWp". It also notes that "even for fairly small system sizes of around 1.6kWp, a significant fraction of the building demand can be met. The Majority of systems provided between 20 and 80% of the building load, with an average of 51%."

solar electricity is a viable and very practical technology
The UK Government PV DFT report
About Solar

There is lots of confusion about solar energy, in particular people seem to question whether it really works in the 'UK's cloudy climate' and whether the solar panels generate as much energy as it takes to make them. The answer to both questions is 'yes':

Solar panels do work in the UK, despite our cloudy climate, because they rely on daylight, not direct sunlight.

Solar panels 'pay back' the energy required to make them in 2 to 4 years (depending on their final location) and are guaranteed to continue making energy for 25 years. See the NREL report on energy Payback.

Solarcentury would not have managed to stay in business for over a decade if the technology we sell did not work! Please have a look at the FAQs and 'ask a question' if you can not find the information you need.