Solar Choices

Solar Host

ATASS Energy’s sister company, ATASS Solar, is looking for sun-drenched homes in Devon to host rooftop solar PV (photovoltaic) panels. Solar hosts will benefit from daily periods of free solar power for 25 years and will help to reduce the dependence on fossil fuels without investing a penny.

As the name suggests, solar hosts ‘host’ panels on the roof of their property. The panels and equipment are owned by ATASS Solar, which recoups the cost of the investment over 25 years from the government-run incentive scheme known as Feed-In Tariffs (FITs).

To be eligible to apply to become a solar host you need to be a home-owner in the West Country. Your roof must:

• be south-facing
• be free from shading by tress or buildings
• have plenty of space for panels (approximately 30m2)
• be sound and not in any need of repair

We give our solar hosts the same promise of an exceptional customer experience that we give all of our customers.

If you’d rather invest in your own solar PV system take a look at our Solar PV page for more information.

 

Solar PV

 

Solar PV (photovoltaic) takes the form of reflective panels that absorb daylight for conversion to electricity. Linked to the National Grid, a government incentive scheme known as Feed-In Tariffs (FITs), will pay you for every kWh your system produces for a period of 25 years.

 

Panels can be installed in three ways:

 

    On a frame which is attached on top of the tiles on your roof (roof mounted)

    To your roof in place of roof tiles (integrated)

    Ground-mounted.

 

Solar PV panels are different to solar thermal panels that are used to fuel your water heating system. Take a look at our Solar Thermal page for information.

 

The environmental argument for solar PV is compelling. Solar energy, including solar PV is a pioneering technology that is clean, safe and produces no waste or pollution.

 

The energy payback (a term used to describe the amount of time it takes to compensate for the energy input of manufacturing the panels) is between one and four years, therefore up to 96% of the energy created won’t be plagued by pollution, greenhouse gases and depletion of resources. *

 

The world’s resources of fossil fuels are fast running out. Renewable energy may seem like an unconventional choice. We believe it’s the right choice – for security of our energy supply; for our planet; for the generations of our future.

 

Contact us to see if solar PV is the right choice for you.

 

* http://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy04osti/35489.pdf The National Renewable Energy Laboratory, U.S. Department of Energy Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.

 

 

Solar Thermal

 

Solar thermal takes the form of rooftop panels which are installed on your roof to absorb daylight which is converted to energy used to heat water in your home. This is different to solar PV (photovoltaic) which generates energy direct to the National Grid. Take a look at our solar PV page for more information.

 

The environmental incentives for installing a solar thermal system are clear - solar thermal emits no pollution or waste; it helps to reduce dependency on fast-depleting fossil fuels; it harnesses the earth’s natural resources.

 

The UK government has recently announced outline details of a Renewable Heat Incentive scheme, the first of its type in the world, which from 2012 will pay an annual amount to property owners who install renewable energy generating heating systems. In the meantime there will be grants available to help towards the cost of installation.

 

The world’s resources of fossil fuels are fast running out. Renewable energy may seem like an unconventional choice. We believe it’s the right choice – for security of our energy supply; for our planet; for the generations of our future.

 

Contact us to see if solar thermal is the right choice for you.