BU609 Photovoltaic systems for dwellings (2017)

Photovoltaic systems for dwellings are typically small-scale systems that absorb sunlight and convert the energy into electricity. They are often grid connected, exporting surplus energy to the national electricity grid and allowing a dwelling to use grid energy as required. 

This bulletin describes the photovoltaic systems and grid connection and briefly addresses economic and sustainability issues. 

This bulletin covers: 

• regulatory requirements
• solar panels and array frames and solar tiles
• inverters
• system size and generation capacity
• installation
• supplying the grid
• batteries and stand-alone systems
• PV dedicated to a storage water heater
• maintenance
• the economics of PV generation
• sustainability considerations.