Solar Panel Renewable Energy
Solar panels can be used to generate electricity by charging 12v batteries or to heat water.
Solar panels are also and ideal way to heat your swimming pool. Call us to discuss your options.
Hot Water Systems
These are the most common solar panel solutions supplied in Menorca. The panels can be fitted to your roof, or other suitable surface. The water tank can either be installed alongside the panels, known as a compact system, or inside your villa, a pumped system, maybe in a utility/storage room or garage.
The compact system is the simplest option and can be easily connected to your existing hot water infrastructure
The pumped system allows for bigger tanks to be installed and hence a greater hot water capacity. This system can also be connected to your existing boiler and the tank can be fitted with an electric heating element to top up the hot water if necessary.
Electricity Systems
Solar panel electricity systems, also known as solar photovoltaics (PV), capture the sun's energy using photovoltaic cells. These cells don't need direct sunlight to work – they can still generate some electricity on a cloudy day. The cells convert the sunlight into electricity, which can be used to run household appliances and lighting.
Cut your electricity bills. Sunlight is free, so once you've paid for the initial installation, your electricity costs will be reduced.
Cut your carbon footprint. Solar electricity is green renewable energy and doesn't release any harmful carbon dioxide or other pollutants.
Maintenance
Solar PV needs little maintenance – you'll just need to keep the panels relatively clean and make sure trees don't begin to overshadow them.
Once fitted, we will leave written details of any maintenance checks that you should carry out from time to time to ensure everything is working properly. This should include details of the main inverter fault signals and key trouble-shooting guidance. We will demonstrate this to you at the point of handover. Keeping a close eye on your system and the amount of electricity it’s generating (alongside the weather conditions) will familiarise you with what to expect and alert you to when something might be wrong. Alternatively, why not have complete peace of mind and select one of our annual maintenance contracts and we will take care of this for you.
The panels should last 25 years or more, but the inverter is likely to need replacing some time during this period.
