Our download shows that the performance of PV panels is reduced to a greater degree than solar water heating panels when positioned away from south and away from 30^o inclination.

]]> http://www.hodkinsonconsultancy.com/2011/10/10/solar-thermal-versus-solar-pv/feed/ 0 http://www.hodkinsonconsultancy.com/2010/08/09/solar-renewables-and-part-l-2010/ http://www.hodkinsonconsultancy.com/2010/08/09/solar-renewables-and-part-l-2010/#comments Mon, 09 Aug 2010 12:00:26 +0000 James http://www.geeksareforlife.net/?p=369 Photovoltaic (PV) Panel Annual Energy Output

SAP 2009 has been updated to calculate CO 2  emission rates for the new Part L 2010. The assumed level of annual solar radiation in the UK has been increased from the 2005 version of SAP. This means that ‘1kWpeak’ of PV system will now show a greater electrical output. Outputs vary with panel orientation as shown in the following chart:

Reduction in CO2 emissions resulting from the specification of PV

However, another change is that the SAP carbon emission factor for electricity displaced from the grid has been reduced. The net effect of these two changes taken together is that the reduction in kgCO 2  associated with a kWpeak of PV panel has  decreased.

The implication of this, as considered in more detail in our April 2010 newsletter, is that larger areas of PV panels may be required in order to meet planning targets.