It has now been a year since Mike and Biddy had their 3.96kwp Solar PV system installed. Their system has 22 Sharp NU180 PV modules and a Fronius IG40 inverter.

Below is an extract from their blog (solarphotovoltaicsinexeter.blogspot.com):

"Here are our figures at the end of the first year...

* We have generated 4250 units of electricity. (Sungift Solar estimated annual output was 3,784 units)
* We have imported 2773 units (mostly in the evening and at night), saving us 1301 units compared to our average old import over one year.

Financial incentives for people generating electricity with photovoltaic solar panels (PV) are provided though the system of renewable obligations certificates, (commonly referred to as ROCs).

All electricity providers have to buy these certificates each year, in proportion to the amount of electricity they sell. This started at 3 per cent in 2003 and the intention is to increase it to 15.4 per cent by 2015. They can either generate their own renewable energy or buy certificates from other generators. If they fail to secure enough each year they must pay a fine.