Portsmouth Solar Energy Solutions

If you are a parent, then one day it is likely that your child will come to you and ask you the question; “what is solar energy?” Even if you are not a parent, it will benefit you to know the answer. Society today is looking for new solutions to the energy crisis that is hitting developed countries hard; knowing alternatives to traditional energy solutions is vital for humanity to prosper.

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At Portsmouth Solar we are here for you. We offer a friendly and reasonably priced holistic PV service. We cover the design of the panels through to the installation for domestic and commercial properties. We are well known throughout Portsmouth for our professional, friendly and straight-forward approach.

What is Solar Energy?

Let's look subjectively at what solar energy is. If we look around us, we will realize that the sun’s energy is everywhere. The sun supports the growth of plants. It heats different emplacements. The central sun star varies the temperature of countries and regions around our planet and creates wind. The sun gives origin to the ocean's waves, too.

It is somewhat strange that the sun does so much and most of us almost never think about it. It is also true that when people ask, “what is solar energy?” most of them refer to how we are able to harvest the sun's energy and transform it into something that we human beings can utilise. For many, it is hard to believe that solar power can be just as powerful as other raw materials.

What is solar energy used for, then? Well, it is an energy source that can be used for almost any need. For instance, you can use panels to accumulate solar energy that is then transformed into current capable of heating a whole house, furnishing you with enough electricity and fuel for the vehicle you drive every day. This "renewable" has many aspects and appears in different forms, because it can be switched from one sort to another.

Does solar energy have any limitations?
To begin with, the sun shines constantly and permanently.
We use batteries as the solution to overcast days and dark nights.
They accumulate the necessary energy for the times when the sun does not shine through the clouds.

What you should consider when buying solar panels

1. Your Electrical Needs

The most important thing to do first is to calculate your monthly usage figures over the last 2 years. This will take into account both summer and winter usage. You then need to decide what percentage of your home electrical appliances you are going to power with solar panels. If you decide to power all, then your last two years of your power bills come into play. You must calculate the amount of kilowatts used on an average month over the two year period and also calculate your highest amounts used during peak months during this same period. The peak usage months are the key. You will want to have a solar system that will be able to handle your peak load and then add more power or wattage to your system so it will not be strained and it will have enough power if you add appliances to your home in the future.
If you only want to power certain items of your home that use a lot of power, then you must make a list of the wattage rating supplied for each appliance you plan to put on your system. Add up all of the amounts of these appliances and presto, you have a good idea about the electricity you are consuming monthly with these. Then you figure a little higher output as the full system to power this configuration. Keeping both of these ideas in mind will ensure you will have enough power from whatever arrangement you purchase.


2. What is Your Backup Source?

If you are planning to use your alternative energy system to completely power your home day and night without using the electrical grid, then you have to install some sort of backup system. On rainy, cloudy days and long nights, you will need good batteries for storing excess power that you generate on bright days. There many different batteries available on the market and they come in all different sizes, ratings and life spans. Check with us at Portsmouth Solar to get recommendations for your type of system. This is very important.


3. Types of Panels and Mounting Systems

The most important of all is to buy from a known national company like us at Portsmouth Solar in the UK. You want a company like us who will be around to backup your warranty claims. The first type of panel that is used is the PV or mono-crystalline panel. These have the best or higher efficiency ratings at the moment and are ideal if you have a limited roof or outdoor area to work with. Thin film or amorphous silicon panels have a better look to them and are good on larger, more visible roof areas.


4. Mounting Systems

Whether your system is ground mounted or roof mounted, be sure to check that all of the mounts, brackets, arms, holders, posts, screws, etc. are either stainless steel or aluminium so that weathering will not be a problem. You want as heavier a gauge of mounting hardware as practical for locations and weight. Ask us for a spec sheet and compare the different brands to find this out.

What are Photovoltaic (PV) systems?

"Photovoltaic PV Systems" are any household's dream - saying goodbye to those irritating and expensive electricity bills.
​Many users already found out that this technique provides quick results almost instantly. This quick report enables you to learn more about the benefits that it provides.

What does Photovoltaic refer too?

Solar photovoltaics refer to solar cells that take in the radiation from the sun and convert it into direct current electricity. For those that are unsure, direct current is the source of energy that typically feeds the needs of your household. The studies done in this area have allowed the technology used in photovoltaic efficiency to double every two years in the past decade.

How much do solar panels cost?

This research has also lead to a number of breakthroughs that decrease the cost of making the switch. These breakthroughs include using less expensive materials, or less amounts of the expensive material, and increasing the efficiency of those materials with conversion from solar radiation to direct current. Increasing the efficiency generally means that less material is used for production of energy, thereby decreasing the costs necessary for solar panel production.

At Portsmouth Solar we are committed to providing the best service and quality products at an affordable price. We support a greener, cleaner, future, and want to work together to achieve this, with individuals and businesses alike.

Source: Compare My Solar

The uses for Photovoltaic Solar Power
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Now let's look into the uses for photovoltaic solar power. Simply put, this can be an efficient way to power your entire home. Many people tire of paying costly energy bills, which is understandable. When people get so fed up, they start looking for alternative energy sources. These sources can be a variety of different options but two come to mind primarily: wind and sun. The advantage of both is that they will always occur. The disadvantage to both is that they are not always predictable. Many consumers choose the sun over wind because it is more reliable, and there is no noise byproduct that can become an annoyance at least and have health consequences at most.

If you are looking into alternative energy solutions, you don't necessarily need to wire your entire home with a complex system with a backup power supply, you can invest in separate pieces that are not such a large investment. The range of products that use photovoltaic energy is quite diverse and includes items such as mobile phone chargers and car battery chargers. If you drive a camper-van or RV, PV panels can often be installed and adapted to ensure you have a reliable power source. Portable and fold-able panels are also growing in popularity for those who want to utilise the sun's potential on-the-go.

Most of the photovoltaic solar power production is being tied into new buildings that are also connected to the local utilities power grid. Tying these systems into the grid offers a backup power solution, and any surplus that you generate may also pay off with a check from the local utility company who will reward you financially for that.
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Photovoltaic energy has been a valuable source of energy for us for a number of years and will continue to be for years to come: even increasing in popularity, commonality and availability. The product range is diverse, and the science involved in the field is expanding.

Understanding how photovoltaic works is crucial to implementing a solar energy solution in your home.

At Portsmouth Solar we can help you with everything you need to know regarding your design and structure, the installation itself, and aftercare too. 

Find out how much money you can save on your electricity bills today