With the price of power rising steadily and interest in the environment increasing all the time, many householders and businesses look to reduce their carbon footprint by installing solar panels on their property. Photovoltaic panels are solar panels which generate electricity and can be used to not only reduce reliance on the national grid but can also sell back power when they produce more power than is currently being used.
With the increased interest in solar panels it can be tricky for a property owner to know who to turn to for installing this relatively new technology. Local firm Martin Rees Electrical Contractors Ltd. has recently become accredited through the Microgeneration Certification Scheme as certified installers of domestic solar power systems.
Unfortunately the new interest in this area has led to some poor quality contractors jumping on the bandwagon promising consumers quick returns through generous sounding deals which are unrealistic. Some of these contractors have also been responsible for some poor quality installations. Martin Rees owner of Martin Rees Electrical has come across some of these poorly installed solar panels. “I have seen some very poor quality installations and met some property owners who have been promised the earth. The quality of some of the workmanship is extremely poor – both in terms of the electrical work and also the fitting and care of the property. I have seen incorrectly fitted panels with protruding fixing bars and damaged roofs”.
It is also important that high quality panels are used. Most photovoltaic panels produce similar results in direct sunlight but the poorer quality panels produce significantly lower output in less than ideal conditions which are more likely to be found in climates similar to Wales.
Martin’s advice is always to look for companies who have a track record in good quality electrical work and be very wary of companies you have not heard of making big claims of fast returns. “Renewable energy is a lot more attractive with the current feed-in tariffs but the payback period is still longer term. You want high quality equipment and installation which is going to mean it is still up to the job throughout the period of payback” he says. Martin uses high quality panels made in Germany and Japan.
About Martin Rees Electrical Contractors Ltd.
Martin Rees Electrical Contractors Limited began in 1992 and since then has grown to be one of the largest electrical contractors in mid and south Wales. During that time we have built an enviable reputation for the quality of work and the high level of our customer service.
We are a progressive company with a permanent team of competent electrical engineers, with a commitment to the future with an ongoing apprenticeship scheme.
Our company is active in a wide range of markets providing electrical services to schools, offices, hospitals, industrial estates and private housing. We can also cater for testing and commissioning of any installation.
We pride ourselves in our ability to carry out all types of work, to the highest standards, within demanding timescale’s and with due regard to our pro-active environmental, and health and safety policies.
About the Microgeneration Certification Scheme
The MCS is an EN45011 certification scheme which complies with the government criteria for eligibility to access financial incentives.
The scheme is focussed on ensuring the quality of renewable technology installations and products. It has been developed over the last three years and is an industry led and funded scheme.
More information at: http://www.microgenerationcertification.org