ISIS Solar will install 18,000 free rooftop solar systems in the UK - updated

Taking advantage of the UK's feed-in tariff, Oxford-based ISIS Solar said it will install 18,000 rooftop solar systems, free of charge. The company will begin by installing the systems in the south of the country, but will move north as the year progresses, reports PV-Tech's UK-based sister site.

Each system will be 3.3kW, covering an area of 24m2, on a roof which must be roughly south facing and relatively unshaded. A system of this size would usually cost the customer around £16,000. By installing the panels for free, ISIS saves the homeowner this upfront cost, as well as cutting approximately £300 a year off their energy bill.

ISIS will be using UK-based installer the Mark Group, which is certified under the country's microgeneration certification scheme (MCS) and uses Sharp Solar ND modules.

The company will earn its investment back through the country's feed-in tariff, which pays 41.3p/kWh of energy produced. The UK's Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) estimates that the scheme will cost the country £8 billion over 20 years and add £8.50 a year to the average household electricity bill.

Lawrence Buckley, director of ISIS Solar, said, "ISIS Solar aims to make domestic solar energy accessible to as many people as possible, not just the few who have upfront cash."

Update

Since the publication of this news piece, SPP has been informed that the Mark Group will be installing Mitsubishi 1.85kW modules for their installations and will use Fronius inverters. ISIS has also informed us that the panels will be monitored to ensure full working order. If the performance of the modules falls below the expected rate for the area, then ISIS will follow up and perform any repairs needed. The company also says that the inverter will be replaced if and when it needs to be. After the 25 years of the panels being installed, the customer will be able to keep the panels.