Solar PV Typical Application
Here we take a family of four. Dad works in a full time job but spends one day working from home. The family have two children; one is at school while the other is under 5. Mum is a full time house wife working at home. The family live in a 3 bedroom, south facing, semi-detached property, that is approximately 25 years old.
It is highly probable that in this situation a PV system would be suitable.
A family of 4 living in a 3 bedroom home will typically consume 4,800 kw of electricity a year.
This family would benefit from the installation of a 2.2kw PV system, which based on government SAP calculations would produce 1834kWh per annum, and result in a reduction in CO² emissions by 1042 kg per annum. In reality if this PV Installation was in Devon or Cornwall it is probable that actual energy production would exceed the National Average as calculated using standard SAP.
Typically a Solar PV system of this size should produce approximately 40% of the family’s electricity requirement and would attract a tax free Feed In Tariff income of approximately £757.00 per annum.
Of course, Solar PV can only generate electricity through daylight hours, but in this particular household it is highly likely that up to 75% of this capacity could be utilised, so resulting in a saving against their annual energy bill. Detailed below is a list of how an average households electricity usage is broken down, on the assumption that heating is supplied by gas or another alternative energy source.
| Average domestic electricity use (excluding heating) | % |
|---|---|
| Cold appliances | 18% |
| Cooking appliances | 15% |
| Wet appliances | 15% |
| Lighting | 19% |
| Consumer electronics | 19% |
| Domestic ICT | 9% |
| Other | 5% |
| Total | 100% |
