The UK’s solar capacity set a new generation record earlier this month, almost a year to the day it achieved the same feat in 2017.

Data compiled by PV Live and verified by National Grid show that PV generation peaked at 9.42GW from 11:30 AM on Monday 14 May, edging just past the previous record of 9.37GW set almost a year ago.

These record-setting periods also saw solar provide 25% of the country’s entire demand, the second largest power source at that time of day. Combined with wind (10%) and nuclear (18%), low-carbon sources made up more than half of the UK’s entire energy demand around midday.

And the record caps off what has been a highly productive period for the UK’s renewables fleet. Solar PV has regularly contributed upwards of 25% of the UK’s power supply around the midday peak in recent weeks, and the early May bank holiday spell saw PV become the dominant energy source for a total of six full hours over the weekend.

Far from being an overarching issue for National Grid, the transmission system operator has repeatedly asserted that it has the tools at its disposal to cope with such periods of significant solar generation.

Whether for how or work Solar Power can help reduce costs. Contact us by clicking here for no obligation advice.

PV modules produce maximum power at a specific working point (Maximum Power Point – MPP) which is achieved at a specific current (Impp) and voltage (Vmpp). Mismatch between modules occurs when modules that are connected in series require different combinations of voltage and current to generate maximum power.
Extensive research over the years has shown that mismatch can result from numerous factors including manufacturing variance, thermal gradients within the array, uneven surface soiling, partial shading, uneven degradation and more. More information on the sources for module mismatch can be found in the article “Moving Forward to Module-Level Power Optimization”.
When modules with mismatch are connected to a traditional string inverter, the inverter must optimize all modules simultaneously, so that the power point is suboptimal to most, if not all modules. Therefore in traditional inverter systems, mismatch between modules leads to power losses.
In a study published1 in the Journal of Solar Energy Engineering it is estimated that power losses associated with inherent mismatch between modules represent approximately 10% of the total generated power.
This paper will demonstrate mismatch between modules in four typical rooftop installations in the Netherlands, as revealed by the SolarEdge monitoring platform. Even though the installations are different in location, module type, installation company and installation date, they all show module mismatch.

SolarEdge have demonstrated mismatch between modules in four typical rooftop installations in the Netherlands, as revealed by the SolarEdge monitoring platform. Even though the installations are different in location, module type, installation company and installation date, they all show module mismatch. Click here to read more.

On 7th June a combination of high Solar & Wind generation meant a new record was achieved. For the first time over half of UK weekday, daytime energy was generated by renewable energy.

National Grid reported that, on Wednesday lunchtime, power from wind, solar, hydro and wood pellet burning supplied 50.7% of UK energy.

Add in nuclear, and by 2pm low carbon sources were producing 72.1% of electricity in Great Britain.

If you have a large roof, installing Solar Panels could help to reduce your energy costs, improve your Green credentials & improve profits not just for today but the next 20-30 years.

Capital expenditure a problem? We have a number of ways to help including finance, leases & PPA models.

For more information contact us 0844 259 6102.

There are many Solar PV systems that are coming up for 5 years old that were installed at the early high FiT rates. Those systems’ inverters are nearing the end of their warranty & some are beginning to fail. 

The obvious option is to replace the inverter with another string inverter, however we recommend installing a SolarEdge Inverter with Power Optimisers as this will provide the following benefits:

• Increase in Revenue – SolarEdge Power Optimiser technology has been tested & proven to increase generation.
• Live Monitoring – Access to individual panel monitoring via your computer, tablet or phone allowing full visibility of the performance of your system including Solar generation, energy consumption & export data.
• 20 Year Warranty – SolarEdge Inverters come with a 12 year warranty as standard but as part of the upgrade we extend it to 20 years and SolarEdge Power Optimisers come with a 25 year warranty. 
• Future Proof – along with our 10 year workmanship warranty, the core item of the system is guaranteed for the rest of the FiT scheme.
• Battery Ready – with the addition of SolarEdge’s StorEdge interface the system can be further enhanced with the ability to add a TESLA PowerWall. 
• Firefighter Safety – SolarEdge is one of the very few inverter technologies that have been passed as Firefighter safe.
• Panels – as part of the upgrade whilst adding the optimisers, the panels will be cleaned & all connections checked
• Full Health Check – we will also check all electrical wiring & isolators. 

Commercial Solar Solutions, part of Stratford Energy Solutions, are both SolarEdge & Tesla certified so even if your system appears to be working let us upgrade it & start increasing your revenue from your Feed-In Tariff.

For more information on SolarEdge click here & to see the StorEdge & Tesla system working click here

Call us now to discuss your upgrade Tel: 0844 2596102

About to invest in Solar Panels for your commercial premises?

Then we would recommend using SolarEdge inverters & optimisers owing to the following reasons:

• Generate more energy
• Reduce BoS costs
• More panels on more orientations
• Partially shaded areas can be considered
• Enhanced safety
• Lower O & M costs

For more information click here or watch the following short video

We are happy to discuss your project; call 0844 259 6102

Solar generated an estimated 1,336 gigawatt hours (GWh) of electricity in May, 50% more than the 893GWh output from coal. The finding follows on from Carbon Brief’searlier analysis showing solar beating coal for the first full day on 9 April 2016, and for the first week from 3 May 2016.

While these milestones are largely symbolic, they do highlight the major changes going on in the UK electricity system. 

The chart shows that solar generated 50% more electricity than coal during May 2016. This was due to a combination of low coal output and the impact of longer days as summer approaches.

Solar generated nearly 6% of the UK’s electricity needs during May, against less than 4% for coal. In January, the figures were just 1% for solar and 17% for coal.

There has been a huge reduction in coal-fired power generation in the UK since the start of 2016, as the chart below shows. Nearly a quarter of electricity generation in 2015 was from coal but since the, power market economics have shifted in favour of gas and several coal plants have closed.

For the full story click here