Over the past 12 months, Paul Broad and my-self have been studying the rapid growing business that is Solar PV (Photovoltaic).  Looking very closely to see if the UK public and businesses would invest in these expensive systems, assisted by the large government feed in tariffs of course.  Our conclusion is, over the next 8 years, with the price of electricity and gas set to rocket, PV solar will take off.  The Mystic Meg in me predicts a huge public and business uptake. 

Just in case you are not clear on PV, here are just a short statement to what PV is all about and what’s in it for the householder;

On 1st February 2010 The Government confirmed the feed in tariffs which will come into force on 1st April 2010. For someone fitting a typical 2.5kW photovoltaic solar system to an existing home (at a cost of around £12,500), a payment of 41.3p per KWh generated will be paid whether that electricity is exported or used by the home owner. A further payment of 3p per kWh will be made for each unit not used and therefore exported to the grid. New-build properties fitted with solar panels will receive a lower tariff of 36.1p per kWh generated.

The current feed in tariff is now 43.3pence per KWh for the next  25 years (Index linked)

So where do we come into this?

Test equipment is a huge part of a typical PV installation.  All installers require the ability to measure Irradiance levels, in either W/m2 or BTU/ft*h.  Plus, voltage and current measurement, either by clamp meter or multimeter.

The new range will start with a very high spec Irradiance Solar Meter, the SL102 and a PV Installation kit, the SL300.

The SL102, with its unique dual display, gives the installer the ability to accurately measure Irradiance, and the facility to connect directly to the panel’s terminal to measure Voltage Open Circuit (VOC).  With the supplied MC4 test leads plugged in to the SL102, you can safely test the panel in situ whilst measuring the Irradiance levels before fitting the panel on the roof.

The SL300, includes the SL102 and incorporates the Di-log DL6402, our biggest selling DC current clamp meter.  The kit is supplied in a soft carry case, making portable and easy to take on site.

Many thanks for reading this blog,

Dave Sweetman

Sales Manager

Please visit www.dilog.co.uk for more information or call our sales team on 0800 018 9112