Solar PV System Components: What Is Included?

What they do: Convert sunlight (photons) into DC electricity via the photovoltaic effect.

Key specs: - Wattage: 375–425W per panel (residential) - Efficiency: 20–22% (monocrystalline) - Size: ~1.7m × 1.1m, 20kg per panel - Lifespan: 25–30+ years - Warranty: 25 years product + 25 years performance

What to look for: - Recognised brand (JA Solar, Trina, Longi, REC, SunPower) - Monocrystalline technology (not polycrystalline) - 25-year product warranty minimum - Performance warranty: 80%+ at 25 years

Source: Panel manufacturer specifications.

What it does: Converts DC electricity from panels into 230V AC electricity for your home.

Types: - String inverter: One box on the wall, all panels connected in series. £500–£1,000. - Hybrid inverter: String inverter + battery charger in one unit. £1,000–£2,000. Battery-ready. - Micro-inverters: One small inverter per panel, mounted on the roof. £1,000–£2,800. Best for shading.

Additional functions: - Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) — extracts maximum energy from panels - Grid synchronisation — matches AC output to grid frequency/voltage - Anti-islanding — disconnects during power cuts (safety requirement) - Monitoring — reports performance to your app via WiFi

What to look for: - Reputable brand (GivEnergy, SolarEdge, Enphase, Fronius, Solis) - Choose HYBRID if you might ever want a battery - Warranty: 5 years minimum (extend to 10+ if possible)

Source: Inverter manufacturer specifications.

What it does: Secures panels to your roof structure.

Components: - Roof hooks: Stainless steel brackets that bolt to rafters under tiles - Mounting rails: Aluminium rails that run horizontally across the hooks - Panel clamps: Secure each panel to the rails (mid-clamps between panels, end-clamps at edges)

Variations by roof type: - Tile roof: hook-under-tile system (most common) - Slate roof: specialist slate hooks - Flat roof: ballasted or fixed tilt frames - Metal roof: standing seam clamps or corrugated brackets

Key specs: - Wind rated to 140+ mph - Panel weight support: 550 kg/m² - Corrosion resistant (stainless steel hooks, anodised aluminium rails) - Designed for 25+ year outdoor exposure

Source: K2, Schletter, and Van der Valk mounting system specifications.

DC side (panels to inverter): - Solar DC cable: 4mm² or 6mm², UV-resistant, double-insulated - MC4 connectors: weatherproof, locking connectors between panels - DC junction box (if needed): combines multiple panel strings

AC side (inverter to consumer unit): - Standard 6mm² twin and earth cable - Connects via a dedicated circuit breaker (MCB) in your consumer unit - RCD (residual current device) protection on the solar circuit

All wiring is installed by your MCS-certified electrician — hidden in conduit or run through the loft space.

Source: IET Wiring Regulations BS 7671.

DC isolator: Between panels and inverter. Allows safe disconnection of the panel circuit for maintenance. Must be accessible from ground level.

AC isolator: Between inverter and consumer unit. Disconnects the solar system from your home's electrical supply.

Both are mandatory under UK regulations. They provide safe disconnection points for maintenance, emergencies, or firefighter access.

Important: Even with the DC isolator OFF, the panel-side cables are still LIVE during daylight. Only qualified electricians should work on DC solar circuits.

Source: IET Wiring Regulations; MCS installation standards.

What it does: Tracks real-time and historical system performance.

Included with every modern inverter: - WiFi module in the inverter connects to your home network - Manufacturer app (iOS/Android) shows: generation, consumption, export, battery status - Cloud dashboard for web-based monitoring - Alerts for faults, output drops, or connectivity issues

No additional cost — monitoring is built into the inverter and provided free by the manufacturer.

Platforms: GivEnergy Cloud, mySolarEdge, Enphase Enlighten, Solis Cloud, FusionSolar (Huawei)

Source: Inverter monitoring platform documentation.