Powersun has been designing and installing solar PV systems from 2kW domestic to 2MW solar parks since 2011. As well as the purely technical knowledge and the ability to create a high quality working system from a design concept, it’s always crucial that we listen to our customers. That way we design what they do want and not what we think they might want.

The design process often starts with the roof or ground space available, as well as the possibility of connecting the system to the local electrical grid. For any system larger than 4kW (single phase) or 12kW (3-phase), we have to request permission to connect from the local DNO (distribution network operator).

Once that is done, there are myriad combinations of panels and inverters to choose from, with the size and shape of the system often guiding the design.

Future owners will want to understand not only the costs but the income and savings which will be derived from the working system, so we include all that in our formal proposal.

If you’d like us to create a design for you, give us some basic information and we’ll come back to you quickly. 

In the meantime, you can find a typical 50kW proposal here and download the latest Feed-in Tariff data (April 2017) here.

If you have had a solar PV system for some time, the FiT data for all historical systems are also available.

How does it work?
Air source heat pumps (ASHPs) absorb heat from the outside air. This heat can then be used to heat radiators, hot water and underfloor heating systems, or warm air convectors. (Only systems which heat water are eligible for subsidy in the UK.)
Ground source heat pumps (GSHPs), use pipes that are buried underground to extract heat from the ground, which is then used to heat radiators, underfloor or warm air heating systems and hot water in your home.

An air-source heat pump extracts heat from the outside air in the same way that a fridge extracts heat from its inside.
It can get heat from the air even when the temperature is as low as -15° C.

Heat pumps have some impact on the environment as they need electricity to run, but the heat they extract from the ground, air, or water is constantly being renewed naturally.

You can find a more detailed technical explanation below.

Benefits?
• Lower fuel bills, especially if you are replacing conventional electric heating
• potential income through the UK government’s Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI)
• lower home carbon emissions, depending on which fuel you are replacing
• no fuel deliveries needed
• can heat your home as well as your water
• minimal maintenance required
• can be easier to install than a ground source heat pump.

Unlike gas and oil boilers, heat pumps deliver heat at lower temperatures over much longer periods.
During the winter they may need to be on constantly to heat your home efficiently. You will also notice that radiators won’t feel as hot to the touch as they might do when you are using a gas or oil boiler.

How do they work?
Do you have somewhere to put it? You’ll need a place outside your home where a unit can be fitted to a wall or placed on the ground. It will need plenty of space around it to get a good flow of air. A sunny wall is ideal.

Is your home well insulated? Since air source heat pumps work best when producing heat at a lower temperature than traditional boilers, it’s essential that your home is well insulated and draught-proofed for the heating system to be most efficient.
What fuel will you be replacing? The system will pay for itself much more quickly if it’s replacing an electricity or coal heating system. Heat pumps may not be the best option for homes using mains gas.

What type of heating system will you use? Air source heat pumps can perform better with underfloor heating systems or warm air heating than with radiator-based systems because of the lower water temperatures required.

Maintenance?
• Heat pump systems typically come with a warranty of two to three years. Workmanship warranties for heat pumps can last for up to 10 years, for example through QANW (Quality Assured National Warranties).
• Many manufacturers also offer options for warranty extensions for a fee.
• You can expect them to operate for 20 years or more, however they do require regular scheduled maintenance.
• A yearly check by you and a more detailed check by a professional installer every three to five years should be sufficient.
• The installer should leave written details of any maintenance checks you should undertake to ensure everything is working properly. Consult with your supplier for exact maintenance requirements before you commit to installing a heat pump. You are likely to be advised to carry out a yearly check that the air inlet grill and evaporator are free of leaves or other debris.
• Any plants that have started to grow near the heat pump unit will also need to be removed.
• You may also be advised by your installer to check the central heating pressure gauge in your house from time to time. If so, you should be shown how to do this.
• To prevent the heat pump from freezing in cold winter weather anti-freeze is used.
• Levels of anti-freeze and its concentration is one of the things that a professional installer will check when he comes to service your heat pump. If your heat pump has external refrigeration pipes, (very unusual for a domestic system) these will need to be serviced annually by a refrigeration engineer