These payments are index linked to the Retail Price Index and guaranteed for 20 years.
Step 3 – Select possible sites
o
A south or nearly south facing roof space that does not shadow is the best starting point,
although technology has improved to enable east / west buildings to provide a good return
as well.
o
The roof pitch or slope is a consideration with about 30 degrees being the best but a typical
farm building pitch of 15 degrees causes only slight loss in performance. For ground
mounted arrays the modules are orientated due south with a 30 degree pitch.
o
The position of the inverters is important as the Direct Current (DC) travelling from the
panels to the inverter can lose energy, therefore it is good to have the inverters as close to
the array as possible. Inverters need to be safe, secure, readily accessible and in the dry near
the solar array.
o
The new solar array will need to connect to the grid through a consumer unit. The cost of
the cabling to this unit will have to be taken into account when undertaking a site appraisal.
Step 4 – Consider other site issues
There are a number of issues that should be left to the surveyor but they are worth considering
before the surveyor visits:
o
If the roof strong enough? (Typically a steel portal frame building should be but each
structure should be checked by a structural surveyor)
o
What’s the roof made of (tin, fibre cement or asbestos)? If it is asbestos can the contractors
safely handle it?
o
How old is the roof? (replacing sheets will be more difficult for older buildings)
o
Will the array affect livestock below by blocking roof lights or affecting the building’s
ventilation gaps?
o
Is your power supply large enough to export the power generated? An application will need
to be made to the District Network Operator to ensure there is capacity on the grid to accept
CHARTERED SURVEYORS
?
VALUERS
?
COUNTRY HOUSES & FARMS
?
PLANNING
?
LITIGATION
? FINANCE
?
RENEWABLES