RAI systems ltd based in south yorkshire: specialists in the design and installation of renewable energy systems

RAI Systems LTD was established in the South Yorkshire, England in 2006 by two directors Piet Defoe and Tom Maddocks, who have combined experience in the field of renewable energy systems for over 20 years.

We install renewable energy systems for on-site electricity generation as well as other small scale energy systems such as wind turbines or solar thermal systems. We are also able to design customised hybrid systems to your specific demands.

Before installing any on site generating system, it is important that a full survey is undertaken in order to confirm what type and size of system is suitable for both your requirements and your location. We cover a geographical zone of about 30 miles around Holmfirth, this includes Huddersfield, Dewsbury, Barnsley, Rotherham, Sheffield, Bradford, Leeds, Doncaster and adjoining areas. If the site for installation is within about 20 miles of our base (near Holmfirth) in South Yorkshire, we offer a free initial site survey, energy audit and consultation before designing a system to meet your needs.

Photovoltaic (solar electric) grid-connected system depending on the cash-back scheme and feed-in tariffs

A solar photovoltaic system consists of:

• An array of solar panels which convert light into a direct current (DC),
• An inverter which converts the direct current (DC) into an alternating current (AC). This is necessary because domestic electricity supplies use AC.

The system is connected to your fuse box and a meter. The dedicated meter records the amount of electricity generated. Any surplus electricity produced by the panels that is not used on site is exported to the grid and possibly recorded by another export meter. Your existing energy supply is unaffected, so if your generator is not producing a sufficient amount to cover all your household needs, in winter months or at nighttime for instance, you simply buy back units from your supplier. The installation will cause minimum disruption in your house.

Presently, for each Kwh (Kilo Watt per hour) generated (either consumed in the house or exported to the grid) you're entitled to receive £0.413 from the Clean Energy Cash Back Feed-in Tariff. This scheme is guaranteed for 25 years.

The energy from the solar array is used in the house first. This is known as the offset saving. This means that if your solar panels are currently generating enough power for the switched appliances, you're not buying energy from the grid thus saving £0.12 for every Kwh of solar energy used by the house.

You are also entitled to receive a further 3p from your energy supplier for each unit you export back to the electricity grid, that is when it isn't used in the house.

As an example, a typical domestic solar electricity system, with an installation size of 2.2 kWp could earn around:

• £770 per year from the Generation Tariff,
• £30 per year from the Export Tariff,
• £120 per year reduction in current electricity bills.

This gives a total saving of around £920 per year.

For grid connection depending on the feed-in tariffs and cash back scheme, you can obtain a free online PV feed-in quote from Rai Systems. Our installations are quite cheap, cost-effective and guaranteed.

We currently offer three, off-the-shelf systems designed for domestic installation:

• Solar pv 1: 1kW array. Suitable for a small 1 / 2 bedroom house,
• Solar pv 2: 2kW array. Suitable for a 2 / 3 bedroom house,
• Solar pv 3: 3Kw array. Suitable for larger houses or houses with an increased energy demand.

Larger systems can easily be designed for greater power requirements, the main limiting factor being the available mounting space for the arrays.

For a more detailed explanation of this scheme, you can visit the energy saving trust.

Photo voltaic (solar electric) Stand Alone Generator

A stand alone system Generates electricity from the sun in the same way as the grid connect systems but instead of exporting energy to the grid, the energy is stored in battery banks. This type of system is completely isolated from the mains supply so you are totally responsible for the energy you produce and consume. Stand alone systems are ideal for remote locations with no mains supply or for portable applications. They can vary in size from small scale installations suitable for caravans and boats to full scale domestic systems. Of course, there will be increased costs in these types of systems due to the added expense of the battery storage facility.

Even though you are disconnected from the mains supply however, you can still claim credits for all units of electricity generated from certain renewable energy supply companies.

Other small scale renewable energy systems

In addition to the previous solar systems, we can also design small scale wind generator systems that incorporate domestic size wind turbines, although from our experience for a wind system to work efficiently they must be situated in a very specifically suitable location. Additional surveys must be undertaken in order to define whether a wind turbine is suitable for your system.

We can also consider the installation of solar thermal and flat panels.

The economic aspect of a project in renewable energy

Apart from environmental reasons as summarized in why renewables, investing in renewable energy can add much value to your property for the future. Giving an approximate estimate for an installation is difficult without a prior consultation of the site and assesment of your needs. You are therefore encouraged to contact us for consultancy and precise information.

For a given project you may also apply for funding and grants. The government offers various subsidies for the installation of renewable energy technologies. For the most up to date information on grants and funding try one of the following links: lowcarbonbuildings.org.uk householders or lowcarbonbuildings.org.uk micro. The DTI’s low carbon buildings grant will fund a number of technologies. There may also be funding available from local authorities or other organisations depending on your own circumstances.

Now, if you are a DIY expert, you can also buy products and items to install by yourself: See our catalogue of renewable energy products, we have many interesting and reasonably priced items for sale.

Who are we?

Both directors of RAI Systems LTD have combined experience in the field of renewable energy systems and both of their family homes are electrically supplied from stand alone (off grid) solar photovoltaic and wind systems located near holmfirth in the South Yorkshire area (8mi from huddersfield, 20mi from Sheffield, 30mi from Leeds). We both feel passionately about the preservation of the environment and are committed to sustainable forms of energy supply and production.

While Rai Systems is an independent entity, we are based at a collective where other companions deal with other aspects of environment so as to form together a more complete picture of an integrated environmental approach. For instance, Red Apple Workers Coop deal with the delivery of organic veg and fruit (see Red Apple Cooperative). Some other residents work in gardening and are available for taking care of your garden at your place (Magdalena's mobile: 07507 494 898). We also have a companion, Michael, who offers services in building work and property maintenance (mobile: 07831 481 002).