FAQs
Solar
Where do I start when deciding on my home solar system?
We’ve created a Buyer’s Guide for Solar as a starting point on your journey towards Solar self reliance.
What are the parts of a solar power system and what do they do?
Solar panels: these absorb sunlight and convert it to electricity.
Inverter: this converts direct current (DC) into alternating current (AC) which makes it compatible with the mains electricity in your home.
Racking system: or mounting system; this is used to safely fit your panels to the mounting surface and is an optional extra depending on location.
If you are setting up batteries to store your energy you will also need:
Batteries: these will be your storage system for extra electricity from your PV panels.
Charge controller: this is a current and voltage regulator that stops your battery from overcharging.
For more information read Buyers Guide: Solar.
What does wattage refer to on a solar panel?
One of the decisions you need to make around your solar panels is which wattage to buy.
The wattage of a single solar panel refers to the amount of electricity it can produce under ideal sunlight and temperature conditions.
For example a single 350 watt solar panel in 8 hours of sunlight will produce 2.1 kWh of electricity.
That’s enough to power your broadband router for over a year.
Please read our Buyer's Guide to Wattage, including average appliance wattages.
How many panels do I need for my house?
The starting point to accurately calculate this is to total your annual energy consumption using your past utility bills.
You are looking for a total in kilowatts (kW).
Next consider what percentage of your annual electricity you want to provide using your solar power.
For example 100% would mean living completely off-grid.
Next divide your total target electricity consumption by the wattage of the panels that you are considering. This will give you a rough idea of how many panels you will need.
Can I install a solar panel system myself?
Although we do live in the day and age of YouTube, a mug of tea and a ‘can do’ attitude. Some things are best left to the experts.
For your convenience here is a search directory for MCS Certified Installers by location.
How long does it take to payback a home solar system?
With the recent rise in energy costs, home solar systems payback period has changed from approximately 10-15 years in the past, to 6-8 years at the moment.
This will vary depending on location, direction the panels face, and maintenance.
How do I know which charge controller I need?
Divide the total wattage of your solar panels by the voltage of your battery. The answer will give you the minimum rating required for your charge controller.
For example if you have 6 x 350w panels and a 24 volt battery.
6 x 350w = 2100A
2100A ÷ 24V = 87.5V
The rating of your charge controller must be at least 87.5 volts.
Batteries
What does LiFePO4 mean?
LiFePO4 battery stands for Lithium Iron Phosphate batteries.
How do you say LiFePO4?
“Life - Po - 4”.
What is a LiFePO4 battery?
A LiFePO4 battery, is a type of rechargeable battery that uses lithium iron phosphate as its cathode material. It is known for its high energy density, long cycle life, and improved safety compared to other lithium-ion battery chemistries.
What are the advantages of LiFePO4 batteries?
LiFePO4 batteries have several advantages:
- High energy density: They can store a large amount of energy in a compact size.
- Long cycle life: LiFePO4 batteries can endure a large number of charge-discharge cycles before their capacity significantly decreases.
- Enhanced safety: They are more stable and less prone to thermal runaway or combustion compared to other lithium-ion battery chemistries.
- Good performance in extreme temperatures: LiFePO4 batteries perform well in both high and low temperature conditions.
- Environmentally friendly: They do not contain toxic metals like lead or cadmium.
What are the applications of LiFePO4 batteries?
LiFePO4 batteries are used in various applications, including:
- Electric vehicles (EVs): They are commonly used in EVs due to their high energy density and long cycle life.
- Solar energy storage: LiFePO4 batteries can store energy generated from solar panels for later use.
- Portable power systems: They are used in portable power banks, camping equipment, and other portable devices.
- UPS (uninterruptible power supply): LiFePO4 batteries provide backup power in case of power outages.
- Marine applications: They are used in boats and yachts to power electrical systems and provide propulsion.
What does deep discharge mean?
Deep charge batteries are designed to be used to their full capacity. This means that a state of complete depletion has no detrimental effect to their overall performance.
Is Lithium Ion the same as LiFePO4?
No, Lithium Ion (Li-Ion) and Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) are different types of batteries.
What do I need to know about the differences?
From a home storage perspective, both Lithium Ion and LiFePO4 batteries have their advantages.
Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries offer thermal stability, making them less prone to combustion and thermal runaway, which is an increase in temperature. This provides an added safety advantage for home storage applications.
LiFePO4 batteries also have a longer cycle life compared to Lithium Ion batteries. Cycle life refers to the number of discharge and charge cycles a battery can complete before losing performance. LiFePO4 batteries typically have a longer lasting life, up to approximately five times longer, making them a reliable and durable choice for long-term energy storage.
On the other hand, Lithium Ion batteries may have advantages in certain areas such as higher energy density and potentially lower upfront cost. They are widely used in many applications and can offer a good balance of performance and affordability.
How long do LiFePO4 batteries last?
LiFePO4 batteries have a long lifespan and can typically endure thousands of charge-discharge cycles. Depending on usage patterns and maintenance, they can last anywhere from 5 to 20 years, providing long-term value and reliability.
Can LiFePO4 batteries save me money in the long run?
Absolutely! While LiFePO4 batteries may have a higher upfront cost, their longer lifespan, high energy density, and reduced reliance on grid electricity can lead to significant cost savings over time. They can help minimise energy bills, especially in applications such as solar energy storage and electric vehicles.
Are LiFePO4 batteries suitable for extreme temperature conditions?
Yes, LiFePO4 batteries perform well in both high and low temperature conditions. They can maintain their performance and reliability even in challenging environments, making them a dependable choice for various applications, including outdoor and off-grid use.
Are LiFePO4 batteries environmentally friendly?
Yes, LiFePO4 batteries are considered more environmentally friendly compared to other battery chemistries. They do not contain toxic metals such as lead or cadmium, reducing the potential harm to the environment. Additionally, their long lifespan and recyclability contribute to sustainability by reducing waste and promoting resource conservation.
EV Chargers
Where do I start when deciding on my EV Charger?
We’ve created our Buyer’s Guide to EV Chargers for a starting point on your journey towards green motoring.
Generators and Portable Power
What's the difference between a portable generator and a portable power station?
The main difference is that portable generators can generate electricity using an energy source like solar panels, or a fossil fuel.
Whereas portable power stations cannot generate their own electricity. You need to be plugged into a wall socket to charge them up. Think of them as a big rechargeable battery.
How does a generator compare?
A portable generator will run continuously for a few hours, and then need to be refuelled.
Whereas a generator has a larger capacity and so will power a house during longer periods of time. Especially in areas where power outages are more frequent.
Its most common application is for appliances that need a constant and uninterrupted supply of electricity, such as medical equipment, fridges and freezers, heating and air conditioning.
What size generator do I need?
First decide which appliances you want to power during the eventuality of using the generator - this is applicable to both portable and standby purposes.
Portable power application might be for use when camping, so powering a plug in speaker, electric kettle and phone charger.
Standby generator might be in the case of a power cut you would want your fridge, freezer and the kettle working.
Find out the power requirements of each item in watts.
Multiple the total by 1.25 to give you a 25% buffer for safety and unexpected emergency hair drying.
How do I calculate the wattage of my appliance?
|
Appliance Label States |
Calculation |
|
Kilowatts (kW) |
Kilowatts x 1000 = watts |
|
Volt-amps (VA) |
Volt-amps = watts |
|
Volts and Amps stated separately |
Volts x amps = watts |
Wind Turbines
What is the payback on wind turbines?
Wind turbines typically pay back the cost of their investment in 15 years.
Do I need planning permission for a wind turbine on my UK property?
In most cases the first installation of any wind turbine would be allowed under permitted development, and as long as there is no existing air source heat pump at the property.
Additional wind turbines at the same property require an application for planning permission. See here for searchable directory for your Local Planning Authority to check your own neighbourhood.