The Wharf House - Energy Efficiency
Here at The Wharf House, were going green with 94 solar panels. Take a look at our energy generation...
Electricity generation - Photovoltaic panels
As part of The Hereford and Gloucestershire Canal Trust, The Wharf House aims to become self-sustinable both financially and in our carbon footprint. September 2010 saw The Wharf House roof being fitted with 94 photovoltaic panels.
This is the largest array of solar powered panels in Gloucestershire.
Solar electricity systems capture the suns energy using photovoltaic (PV) cells. Each cell is made from multiple layers of semi conductive material, usually silicon. When light shines on the cell it creates an electric field across the layers. The strength of the PV cell is measured in kilowatt peak (kwp)- that's the amount of energy the cell generates in full sunlight.
Narrow metal strips take the electricity to inverters housed in the loft. The inverters change the direct current from the cells into alternating current, the same type as comes through the mains electricity.
Simply the cells covert the sunlight into electricity, which can be used to run household appliances and lighting. In our case the cells at peak times can provide ALL the electricity needed for thr building!
PV cells don't need direct sunlight to work, you can still generate some electricity on a cloudy day.
The graph on this page is updated regularly to show how much our panels are conducting - measured in Kilowatt hours.
