Lowfell domestic & commercial solar PV with battery storage.
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Are you a homeowner looking to make your property more energy-efficient? There's never been a better time to take that step! Thanks to a newly introduced scheme, you can now benefit from a whopping zero VAT on energy-efficient measures for five years.
This scheme began in April 2022 and is set to continue until 2027. Imagine five years of savings while making your home greener and more economical! We can install your new solar panel system, and all VAT-free.
Don't let this incredible opportunity pass you by. Make your move towards a more sustainable future and significant savings today. Contact Sustainable Energy Engineering for more information on how you can start your journey to an energy-efficient home.
Solar panels generate the most energy during the day when the sun is shining and when you and your family use the least energy or have the lowest consumption levels. With ever increasing energy prices and the current 0% VAT until 2027, you must make the most out of your solar energy. Reduce your dependence on traditional power providers with an intelligent battery storage system.
A battery storage system allows it to utilise solar power time independently by storing unused capacity. It converts and directs solar power to where it is needed throughout the property.
When the grid is running properly, your home or business will use power generated from your solar panels or pull electricity from the grid. Any excess power generated over and above your needs is exported back to the national grid.
In the event of grid blackouts, these systems will switch to “off-grid mode” drawing power stored in your battery bank to power your home. Energy storage systems can even be added to solar PV systems that have already been installed.
While your solar panels generate energy during daylight, the system will first power your usage; subsequently, the extra generation will charge the battery backup system. Once fully loaded, if there is any extra, it will be fed back into the national grid. When the panels cease to generate electricity, the inverter will pull the free stored energy from the battery backup system to power your usage. Only when the system is ’empty’ does it take power from the grid.
For a typical household that only uses 50% of the energy generated, the battery backup system should increase this to around 85%. Or in other words, the system will only give 15% of the energy generated to the electricity companies.
We install several different energy storage systems to ensure you're making the most out of your solar panels.
Call today for a free solar energy storage quote on 0191 340 7001.
Installing high-quality, reputable solar panel brands ensures optimal performance, durability, and return on renewable energy investment.
Puredrive Energy: Puredrive Energy is a British company specialising in designing, developing, building, and distributing its energy storage products. Their vision is to supply products and services that reduce homeowners' bills and carbon footprints. They manufacture their products to the highest quality standards, fostering trust between the company, customers, and partners.
Fox ESS: Fox ESS is a global energy storage solution provider that integrates the R&D, production, sales, and service of energy storage systems. They provide residential and commercial energy storage solutions to promote clean energy development. Fox ESS focuses on technological innovation and has a professional R&D team that continually works on improving the technology and performance of its energy storage systems. Fox ESS offers a variety of energy storage products, including home energy storage systems and energy management systems.
JA Solar: JA Solar is one of the world's largest producers of solar cells and modules. Established in China in 2005, the company has production facilities and offices in different parts of the world. JA Solar is known for its high-quality, high-efficiency solar panels, widely used in residential, commercial, and utility-scale photovoltaic projects. They offer many products, including monocrystalline and polycrystalline solar panels.
LONGi Solar: LONGi Solar is a leading global manufacturer of high-efficiency monocrystalline solar cells and modules. Based in China, the company has been a significant player in the solar industry since its founding in 2000. LONGi is known for its photovoltaic technology innovation, particularly its monocrystalline technology advancements. It is considered one of the largest producers of monocrystalline solar panels, known for their higher efficiency than their polycrystalline counterparts.
Trina Solar: Trina Solar is one of the largest solar panel manufacturers globally, with a long history dating back to 1997. The company offers various solar solutions, including modules, batteries, inverters, and integrated systems. Trina Solar is renowned for high-quality, reliable solar panels and continually invests in advanced solar technologies. Their product line includes monocrystalline and polycrystalline solar panels suitable for residential, commercial, and utility applications.
SolaX Power: SolaX Power is a global leader in solar inverter technology, with a broad product range that includes a comprehensive suite of inverters, batteries, and energy storage systems. They focus on creating cutting-edge technology in renewable energy, aiming to make solar power more accessible and affordable. The company is renowned for its high efficiency, reliable products, and comprehensive after-sales service.
JinkoSolar: JinkoSolar, established in 2006, is a prominent solar panel manufacturer known for its commitment to high-quality solar solutions. They offer a range of solar products, including monocrystalline and polycrystalline panels suitable for diverse applications. JinkoSolar distinguishes itself by strongly emphasising innovation, sustainability, and environmental responsibility. Their focus on research and development ensures they remain at the forefront of solar technology.
Sustainable Energy Engineering, renowned as a leading MCS and RECC-accredited Lowfell solar energy installer, excels in designing, supplying, and installing systems harnessing solar and biomass energy.
Our accreditation from the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) and the Renewable Energy Consumer Code (RECC) ensures our solar PV installations qualify for the Smart Export Guarantee Scheme. It highlights our commitment to exceeding stringent quality standards and customer service expectations. As we adhere to the Consumer Code, our customers can trust the highest standard of service throughout the entire contractual process, instilling confidence in our dedication to sustainability and renewable energy.
Renewable Energy Consumer Code (RECC): The Renewable Energy Consumer Code (RECC) is designed to instil confidence in consumers who wish to install small micro-generation products (including solar panels) in their homes. RECC mandates that all its members hold the necessary certifications and adhere to high service standards, creating a safe and reliable consumer environment.
Membership in the RECC involves abiding by the Consumer Code, a set of guidelines to ensure a high standard of service throughout the entire contractual process: pre-agreement, during the contract's validity, and post-contract. This code has received backing from the Trading Standards Institute (TSI) and is part of a self-regulation effort called the Consumer Codes Approval Scheme. This scheme focuses on delivering a trustworthy experience for consumers venturing into the solar energy market.
Consumer Codes Approval Scheme (CCAS): The Consumer Codes Approval Scheme (CCAS) is a comprehensive program that elevates customer service standards. It accomplishes this by endorsing and publicising codes of practice via code sponsors approved by the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI). A critical part of this scheme involves safeguarding consumers by offering higher customer service and letting businesses showcase the code's logo, reassuring consumers about the business's credibility.
When searching for a business, consumers are encouraged to look for the CTSI-approved code logo. This logo assures that the selected company is committed to upholding honesty and high customer service standards.
MCS Certified: The MCS accreditation represents a mark of quality - it's an assurance that we supply, design, and install renewable microgeneration technologies (solar energy) to the highest quality standards. As a consumer, choosing a provider who meets these stringent standards is crucial to ensure you receive a system that functions effectively and efficiently over its lifespan.
Installing a renewable energy system is a significant decision. As a consumer, you should be fully informed about your purchase. Our team is committed to providing accurate information and ample time for you to understand your purchase.
We aim to set clear expectations regarding the performance of our renewable energy systems and their financial return. The MCS accreditation showcases the quality of our products and our competency in the renewable energy sector. Our MCS mark in this rapidly growing industry denotes that we are the preferred option in the marketplace.
TrustMark Registered: TrustMark is a government-endorsed initiative that symbolises quality, reliability, and fair trading in home improvement. As a TrustMark-registered business, we adhere to not only RECC's stringent codes but also TrustMark's guidelines, encompassing a comprehensive Code of Conduct and a Customer Charter. This dual commitment ensures that when you choose us for your solar energy needs, you're guaranteed superior service, unrivalled quality, and an ethical, customer-centric approach.
By investing in solar energy, you're contributing to a sustainable future. TrustMark-registered businesses such as ours are listed on the TrustMark 'Find Your Local Tradesmen' website, a trusted source that homeowners frequently use to find reliable installers of renewable energy systems. Your search for an accountable and competent Lowfell solar energy service ends here!
TrustMark operates through an extensive network of 'operators' or scheme providers within various industry sectors. RECC is a licensed operator for several small-scale renewable energy technologies and battery storage. As a TrustMark-registered solar energy company, we're in this exclusive circle of excellence.
Our TrustMark registration is your assurance that we are committed to quality, reliability, and excellent customer service. As a homeowner seeking to invest in renewable energy, our accreditations with TrustMark and RECC should provide the peace of mind you need to proceed confidently.
"We have worked very hard to build a fantastic reputation as a trusted installer offering quality, value for money systems, at a fair price. We still hold the same values as we did when we set up in 2006 - believing in and building a sustainable environment for future generations. Unlike many other solar companies we have never traded under another name, or dissolved the company to rebrand. What you see is what you get with Sustainable Energy Engineering - a family run business that has worked tirelessly to become one of Lowfell's leading solar panel companies. Our reputation means everything to us!"
Stephen Fairless - Director at Sustainable Energy Engineering Limited.
For most systems, there will be times during the year when the power generated by the solar PV system is greater than the power used. During those periods, for a system without storage, all the surplus electricity is exported into the grid. For systems with storage, some of the energy that would otherwise be exported can be retained for use later in the day.
To allow stored surplus PV energy for use later in the day and to provide a backup power supply in case of a power cut.
The provision of a backup power supply is particularly relevant for sites that suffer regular power cuts (although this is infrequent for most locations in the UK, it has been rumoured that the frequency of these power cuts will increase in years to come) or for sites that need to guarantee they can run on the critical load at all times, e.g. hospitals.
Lead-acid batteries were invented in 1859 and are the oldest type of rechargeable battery. They are relatively low-cost and are widely used throughout the world.
The design of a lead-acid battery varies considerably depending on the application. For example, automotive batteries tend to be constructed of many thin plate electrodes (to maximise the surface area for chemical reactions and to deliver high surge currents). In contrast, deep cycle batteries designed for solar applications have larger, thicker and more robust electrodes (for a longer life and a deeper depth of discharge). Automotive batteries are not generally suitable and are not advised for use in solar PV storage applications.
Due to their ready availability and low price, "deep cycle" lead-acid batteries currently remain the predominant choice in most off-grid PV systems.
The size/capability of battery storage systems will limit what can be run during a power cut, e.g. 1kW would run a 100W light bulb for 10 hours.
Deep Cycle describes a battery that is designed to be regularly deeply discharged using much of its capacity.
Due to the rapidly growing electrical vehicle market, lithium-ion batteries have climbed to the point where they are increasingly the battery of choice for domestic or commercial grid-connected solar storage applications.
The advantages of lithium-ion over traditional lead-acid batteries include:
There are a few disadvantages like the increased cost and other safety considerations.
Safety considerations for lithium-ion batteries include the potential for thermal runaway. Protective circuits are built into lithium-ion batteries to protect against the risk of thermal runaway.
DOD describes how fully a battery has been discharged during a discharge cycle. It is expressed as a percentage of battery capacity, for example, 60%. A discharge of around 80% represents a "deep cycle" operation.
This is provided by the manufacturer and describes how much energy the battery can nominally deliver from fully charged under a certain set of conditions. Battery capacity is normally described in Amp-hour at a particular discharge current, for example, 500Ah at a C100 rate. In general, the quicker the battery is discharged, the smaller the capacity.
Effective capacity is often used to describe the usable capacity of the battery. The effective capacity is less than the nominal (nameplate) capacity. For example, a battery with a 500Ah capacity on a system programmed to limit Depth of Discharge (DOD) to 60%, the effective capacity is 500 x 0.6 = 300Ah. Make sure it is the effective battery capacity you are comparing.
All batteries are subject to losses during the charge, storage and discharge cycle. The charge-discharge efficiency describes how effective a battery is throughout the full cycle.
Ask us for an estimate of the charge-discharge efficiency for your system so you can have a good idea of how much energy you may lose.
System efficiency = power out /power in
Self-discharge describes a normal characteristic of all batteries to lose charge over time gradually. The degree of self-discharge varies with battery type, age and temperature. A typical lead-acid battery can expect to lose around 5% over a month.
A typical full battery charge consists of three separate stages. Stage 1 is Bulk, then Absorption, and the final stage is Float
Opportunity charging describes a charging regime that occurs whenever power is available, such as from the intermittent output of a solar PV system. Long-term, repeated incomplete recharge cycles can have a significant detrimental impact on battery lifetime. Lithium-ion batteries are more tolerant to intermittent partial charging patterns: they respond relatively well to partial charging and do not need a frequent full charge in the same way that most lead-acid batteries do.
Where the battery capacity is relatively small compared to the PV array, there is a higher chance that sufficient solar charge current can perform a complete recharge cycle.
Repeated poor recharge can impact on battery lifetime; therefore most systems will on occasion, draw power from the grid to complete the charge cycle. It is important to determine to what extent the mains (grid) may be used to recharge your battery pack. Ask us for an annual estimate.
For grid-connected PV systems, there is not the same imperative to have a large PV array concerning the battery because:
As well as needing control of the charging phase, control over discharge is also required. Discharge control functions typically include:
The discharge control system may also control and restrict when discharge can occur. Examples include:
A DC charge controller is a direct interface between a DC source (such as a solar PV array) and the battery. It converts the variable DC input voltage coming from your solar PV array to the precise required DC charge voltage for the battery.
An AC charger is designed to provide a controlled DC charge sequence from an AC source - such as from the mains (grid) or a generator.
SUSTAINABLE ENERGY ENGINEERING LIMITED
Unit 11 Whitworth Road, Armstrong Industrial Estate, Washington, NE37 1PP.
PHONE: 0191 340 7001
MOBILE: 07814 642 103
EMAIL: info@susenergy.co.uk
© 2006-2024 Sustainable Energy Engineering Limited. All Rights Reserved.
Company Registration Number: 5942135. VAT Number 939 5459 70. Established in 2006.
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