FAQ

What size of array is required to deliver an output of 1kWp? Who do I bill for the solar-generated electricity I produce and how do I bill them? How are solar panels fitted to a building? How is the electrical current fed into the electricity grid? How is it possible to tell if a house is suited to having a solar array installed? Is it worthwhile having a solar array in the North of France? Is it possible to integrate solar panels into roofing? Does the solar array have to be cleaned on a regular basis? Do shadows cast over a solar array affect its electricity yield? Is my house compatible with a solar array? What is an electrical inverter? What is a photovoltaic solar panel? What is photovoltaic electricity? What is meant by Watt-peak (Wp)? What makes Solairedirect different from other solar array suppliers? What is a solar panel’s ‘energy conversion efficiency’? How much does a solar array fitted to a roof weigh?

The weight of a solar array depends on the method of encapsulation applied to the cells. There are two main kinds of encapsulation: Bi-glass panels (the cells being encapsulated between two sheets of glass) and glass-tedlar panels (the cells being encapsulated between a sheet of glass at the front and a tedlar* back sheet). The bi-glass panels are generally used in photovoltaic walls and windows in order to give a certain level of transparency to the walls. They are approximately twice as heavy as glass-tedlar panels.

The arrays installed by Solairedirect are composed exclusively of glass-tedlar panels. The weight of such a panel goes from 7 to 20 kg depending on its power output, i.e between 10 to 12 kg per m² of solar cell (not including the mounting). This is roughly similar to the weight of normal roof tiles and therefore poses no problems in relation to the roof’s structure.

*tedlar is a coating similar to Teflon.

How much will the annual yield of my solar array be? What is the difference between Solar hot water panels and solar panels? What effect does cloudy weather have on the energy yield of a solar panel? What are the main types of photovoltaic solar panels?