We Green

Solar panels

How do solar panels work?

A solar panel, also known as a photovoltaic panel, is a device that typically measures 1.70 m by 1 m and converts part of the sun's rays into electrical energy. There are two types of photovoltaic panels. On the one hand, there are mono- and polycrystalline panels, which account for 90% of the current market, and on the other hand, there are thin-film panels.
Photovoltaic solar panels absorb energy from the sun and convert it into direct current. This direct current then passes through an inverter, which converts it into alternating current so that it can be used in the home.

What are the advantages of investing in solar panels?

Installing solar panels at home provides both environmental and economic benefits. You generate natural, non-polluting electricity, which contributes to a drastic reduction in your carbon footprint and helps protect the planet and prepare a brighter future for generations to come. You will also save money on your electricity bills.

Monocrystalline and polycrystalline panels

These panels consist of 60 to 120 photovoltaic cells, manufactured using a semiconductor material: silicon. It is the most abundant chemical element on earth after oxygen and is found in the earth's crust in the form of sand or quartz. Quartz is the second most abundant mineral on earth.
How are monocrystalline or polycrystalline solar panels manufactured?
First, sand or quartz is mixed with wood and heated to a very high temperature to produce silicon. But at this stage, the silicon is not yet ready to be used in the manufacture of a panel. It must be chemically purified, melted again to form ingots, cut into slices thinner than a hair, doped with boron and phosphorus, and an electrical circuit printed onto the cell. This results in dark blue photovoltaic cells for monocrystalline cells and cells with a mosaic appearance for polycrystalline cells.

How do photovoltaic panels convert sunlight?

In fact, this conversion is made possible by the silicon that makes up the cells. Like all matter around us, silicon is made up of atoms with the unique properties of silicon, and the electrons that orbit these atoms move around in all directions when exposed to sunlight, generating an electrical voltage. But this is not enough to create electricity. The electrons must be forced to flow in a specific direction. We therefore create a surplus of electrons on the upper layer of the cell by doping it with phosphorus atoms, which have more electrons than silicon.
On the lower layer of the cell, we place boron atoms, which have a deficit of electrons. Thanks to this, when light hits the solar panels, electrons flow from the upper layer to the lower layer of the cell, creating an electric current. In concrete terms, most monocrystalline panels have an efficiency of between 18 and 24%. Of course, the more your panels are exposed to sunlight, the more electricity they will produce. Therefore, on cloudy or snowy days, your panels will continue to produce electricity, but in smaller quantities than on a sunny summer day. However, solar panels do not produce any electricity at all during the night. If you wish, you can install lithium batteries that will store the electricity produced during the day to supply you with power at night.
Now let's look at all the components you need for your solar installation. As we have just seen, solar panels generate electricity when exposed to light. But to be precise, they produce direct current, whereas your home and the electrical grid use alternating current. So what can you do? Simply add a photovoltaic inverter that converts direct current into alternating current. The solar panels are connected to one or more inverters and then to your electricity meter. For a solar panel to produce the most electricity, it must be positioned optimally to receive as much light as possible. Before sizing a photovoltaic installation, various factors must be taken into account. The available surface area must be considered in order to determine the maximum power of the future installation. Orientation and inclination must also be considered in order to maximize electricity production throughout the year.

Do you install solar panels throughout Belgium?

We are present in all regions of Belgium: Flanders, Wallonia, and the Brussels-Capital Region.

How long does it take to install the photovoltaic system?

The average time between when you start the process (signing the contract) and when you have a working solar panel system on your roof can take up to 2 weeks for individuals and 4 weeks for businesses. For the actual installation, it all depends on the size of your roof. Small installations on private homes take one day. However, for installations on business roofs, it all depends on the power to be installed.

By installing solar panels in my home, how much can I save on my electricity bill?

It all depends on your consumption, which varies from one business to another or from one household to another. You can run a simulation by clicking on the following link: https://www.we-green.be/simulationEn.Based on your location, south-east orientation, and 30° roof pitch, you will get an estimate of the annual savings you will make if you install solar panels.
However, it is important to note that you will continue to receive bills from your electricity supplier. Nevertheless, the bill will obviously be reduced.

Could I ever run out of power in my house if the weather conditions are bad?

Never! Regardless of the amount of electricity generated by the photovoltaic panels, you will always be connected to the public power grid. Therefore, if the output of your panels or the energy supplied by your battery is insufficient, your household will continue to be supplied with electricity from the grid as usual.

Do my panels perform well all year round?

It is important to note that the higher the peak wattage of a panel, the more powerful the panel is and the more electricity it produces. A panel is logically more productive during sunny periods than when the sky is gray. However, photovoltaic panels produce energy all year round, even when it is raining or the sky is cloudy. On the other hand, it is obvious that they do not work at night or when they are covered with snow. If standard temperature and sunlight conditions are met (ambient temperature of 25°C, clear skies, sunlight of 1000 watts/m²), the electrical power delivered by the panels will be at its maximum. This amount of electricity can vary depending on the weather, the location, the orientation of the panels, their angle, etc.

Location of solar panels

The roof is the most common location for private and professional installations. Panels can be integrated into the roof or placed on top of it. The first option involves replacing part of the roof covering with panels. The second option involves installing the panels on top of the roof using a support structure. Solar panels can also be placed on the facade. This technique is less common because its production yield is lower than that of roof installations. (30% less production for the same amount of sunlight. In addition, panels placed on facades are likely to be more affected by external elements (trees, neighbors) and their shade.
Buildings that cannot have a rooftop installation can have their solar panels installed on the ground. This system is very easy to implement and can be optimally oriented. However, it requires a large area of land.

What is the lifespan of the panels?

We guarantee that after 25 years, the panels will produce at least 85% of the predicted output. We work with Jinko, the world leader in photovoltaic panels. These panels have a lifespan of up to 40 years.

What are green certificates?

These are subsidies granted by the government to people who decide to install solar panels in Brussels.

What is RESCert certification?

RESCert certification is a Belgian quality guarantee for photovoltaic panel installers. It ensures that the installer has received adequate training and complies with installation standards. It is now mandatory for photovoltaic installers to have Rescert certification. This qualification, valid for seven years, boosts customer confidence and can open the door to subsidies.

How to purchase solar panels from We Green?

Contact us at https://www.we-green.be/contact
We Green will thencontact you by phone or email to arrange an appointment to assess whether your roof is suitable for installation. You will be informed of any potential issues. You will then send us your electricity consumption records. Based on this information, we will be able to provide you with a realistic quote. If you agree to the terms and conditions, we will present you with a clear and detailed contract. Once signed, We Green will contact you as soon as possible to arrange an installation date.

Charging stations

I want to buy an electric or hybrid car and invest in a home charging station. How long will it take to charge my car with We Green's Smappee charging stations?

We offer two types of electric charging stations with charging capacities of 7 kWh or 22 kWh. The charging capacity is the amount of energy that can be fed into the battery per hour. It consists of three factors: the connection to the power grid, your car's onboard charger, and your Smappee charger.

Several factors influence the charging speed, but the two most important are the capacity of your electric vehicle's battery and the charging power. Battery capacity differs from car to car. The Nissan LEAF, for example, has a battery capacity of 30 kWh, while the Tesla Model S has a capacity of 100 kWh.

With a 7kWh charging station, it will take an average of 4 hours to charge the Nissan LEAF and 14 hours to charge the Tesla Model S. With a 22kWh charging station, it will take only 2 hours for the Nissan LEAF and about 5 hours for the Tesla Model S.

How long does it take to install a charging station?

5 business days.

How does a charging station work?

A charging station works by supplying electricity to your electric car. Once the cable is connected to your car, charging begins automatically. It can take anywhere from several minutes to several hours, depending on the power of the charging station and the capacity of your battery.

How much does it cost to install a charging station?

The cost of installation varies from one location to another. It depends on a number of factors, such as the type of electrical network you're connected to, and the distance between the terminal and the electrical panel. We guarantee the best value for money!

What is smart charging?

Smart charging is a technology that adjusts the amount of energy supplied according to the electrical needs of other devices in the home or building. This optimizes the use of available electricity.

Storage batteries

How can solar energy be stored?

One effective way to store excess energy produced by photovoltaic panels isto install storage batteries. These storage batteries allow you to store and then consume the surplus electricity generated by your panels after dark, i.e., when there is no more production. Without having to draw power from the distribution network. Your home battery stores unused electricity, which would otherwise have been fed back into the grid at a negligible price without a battery. In general, the battery is charged during the day and discharges in the evening when used for domestic consumption.

Is it a good idea to install a home storage battery?

Currently, regardless of the region, it is advisable to consume as much of your home electricity as possible instead of feeding it into the public grid. This promotes self-consumption. With a battery, you can store energy during the day and consume it in the evening. A battery is an excellent complement to solar panels for greater energy independence.

How does a storage battery work?

A storage battery allows you to store the solar energy you generate during the day so that you can reuse it at any time. This means you draw less from the grid and reduce your energy bills.

Why install a storage battery?

Installing a storage battery allows you to store solar energy by storing the electricity produced for later use and to increase your self-consumption. This reduces energy costs and increases energy independence.

What are the different types of batteries?

There are several types of batteries:

Lithium-ion batteries:
Lithium batteries are the most commonly installed batteries. These batteries are modern, maintenance-free, lightweight, durable, and have a lifespan of approximately 20 years. Thanks to their high energy density, they allow for efficient energy storage in a small space.

Lead batteries:
Open lead batteries require regular maintenance and must be well ventilated.
AGM (Absorbed Glass Mat) batteries are sealed and maintenance-free. They are ideal for second homes.
Gel batteries are durable and suitable for everyday use, although they may lose performance when overloaded.

General questions

We Green Invest and We Green, what's the difference?

We Green Invest is a third-party investment company that finances the entire cost of installing solar panels. If you use this company, you pay €0 for your installation and benefit from electricity at a lower price than you would pay on the grid. The investment company will therefore be remunerated in green certificates, as you will have to transfer the ownership rights of your roof to them for the first 10 years of the contract, after which it will revert to the customer. Throughout the contract, there are no costs to you. We Green takes care of everything.
We Green is the company that will install the solar panels on your roof or the electrical terminals and storage batteries in your home and will take care of maintenance and technical issues.

What is solar self-consumption?

Self-consumption is a key concept in the field of solar energy. It refers tothe direct use of the energy produced by your own solar panels, at the very moment it is generated, without feeding it back into the electrical grid. This means that you consume the solar electricity you produce, reducing your dependence on the national grid.

On average, solar panel owners consume about 37% of the electricity they generate. The surplus is usually fed back into the grid. However, by installing a storage battery and a charging station, it is possible to increase this self-consumption rate to up to 80%.

Who is responsible for the administrative procedures and related costs?

We Green takes care of the following tasks:
- Delivery and installation of panels
- Connection of the installation to the public electricity grid
- Administrative procedures related to the installation
- RGIE inspection by a certified body
- Coverage of Sibelga costs for replacing the network meter
- Maintenance of the installation during the term of the contract
- Financial assistance for the renovation of your roof can be partially financed by We Green in the case of a third-party investment installation!

Is the quote free of charge?

YES.
You do not have to pay anything before signing a contract.

What should you do in case of problems or breakdowns?

All our installations are monitored remotely. As soon as there is a problem, we are notified. We will try to resolve the issue remotely and if this is not possible, we will visit your premises within 48 hours.

What happens if I sell my property or put it up for rent?

The cost of installation has a direct impact on the price of the house, as a house with solar panels is more energy self-sufficient. There is therefore a transfer of ownership of the solar panels.

Do you have another question? Contact us

FAQ

Solar panels

Charging stations

Storage batteries

General questions