Installing solar panels in your home - 15 July 2008

Solar panels generate energy silently and with no CO2 emissions. They allow you to trap some of the sun’s radiated energy and convert it into energy you can use in your home.

There are two kinds of panel :

• Thermal solar panels, which convert sunlight into heat
• Photovoltaic solar panels, which convert sunlight into electricity

At nearly 80%, the financial return from thermal panels is higher than that from photovoltaics. They are used essentially to heat the domestic hot water supply.

Photovoltaic panels convert between 3% and 30% of solar energy into direct current electricity. The only problem is storing it. To get around that issue, it is possible to connect your system to the national grid. The French national power company EDF will then buy that surplus power from you at an excellent price set by law. This is currently €0.55 per kilowatt hour if the installation is integrated into the building: this rate is 3 to 5 times higher than the basic EDF tariff for private customers, which is currently €0.10 per kilowatt hour. It’s a great way to see a sure return on your investment.

So… thermal or photovoltaic: the choice is yours!

• If you live in a house

A solar photovoltaic installation requires room on a roof or wall facing south, east or west, but you’ll get maximum output from a south-facing roof with a pitch of 30°. Having said that, south-east and south-west facing roofs with pitches of between 25° and 60° also deliver good results, but avoid areas shaded by trees or neighbouring buildings.

• If you live in an apartment building

It is possible to install shared or private solar panels on the roof of your building, but you’ll need to check that there is enough room available. You should also check that the place you want to install your collectors gets maximum sun. Lastly, your project will be easier to install if the building has a centralised domestic hot water supply system rather than individual wall-hung boilers or electric water heaters.

• For houses

You must apply to the local mairie for permission. Your plans will be subject to a déclaration préalable de travaux (prior notification of works).

• For apartment buildings

You must obtain the agreement of the co-ownership body, but beware: most co-ownership rules (whether for apartment buildings or a residence of separate houses) forbid any change to the external appearance of the property. If you do secure the agreement of the other owners, the management agent must declare the works involved to the local planning department.

Deal directly with companies specialising in photovoltaic and thermal systems for the design, purchase and installation of solar panels.

To find out about subsidies, contact the ADEME (the French Environment and Energy Management Agency)
    

Philippe Starck has just designed a mini wind generator that combines good looks with technology. Available from this September, it can be installed in a garden or on a terrace. Depending on the size you choose (there are 6 sizes in the range), the generator could provide between 10% and 60 % of your home energy needs at a cost of €300-400. A new concept: designer ecology! Watch this space…