Solar PV
The end of 2013 and beginning of 2014 saw the introduction of Solar Panels on the roofs of both the pig breeding units; Highfields Farm and Arnoe Farm.
Solar Panels are made from layers of semi-conducting material, usually silicon. When light shines on the cell it creates an electric field across the layers. The stringer the sunshine, the more electricity is produced. Groups of cells are mounted together in panels or modules that can be mounted on a roof or the ground.
The power of a PV (photovoltaic) cell is measured in kilowatts peak (kWp). That’s the rate at which it generates energy at peak performance in full direct sunlight during the summer.
Benefits;
- Cuts electricity bills, sunlight is free.
- Due to Feed in Tariff rates you get paid for the electricity you generate even if is all used on site.
- Can sell any surplus energy back to the grid.
- Cuts the carbon footprint.
Terminology Explained
- Feed in Tariff rate (FIT) was introduced on 1st April 2010, this replaced UK government grants as the main financial incentive to encourage uptake of re
newable electricity generating techniques. - Export price is the price received for exporting unwanted electricity back to the grid.
- Power price is the approximate price we currently buy electricity at.
