CAN YOU EXPLAIN THE BASICS OF SOLAR PV PLEASE:

Here goes...

I have a friend (really- not me!) who has bought a house with a Solar PV panel on the roof.

It is connected via a standard 2.5mm twin & earth cable to 2"x 3" white plastic box (no markings at all) near his consumer unit then to a RCD mini consumer unit then to his main consumer unit.

He has been told not to switch it on as the connection is illegal. It certainly does not look like a proper ‘grid tie’ installation. The previous owners said that the company who installed it went bust (no surprise) so there is no available information about the system.

The PV panel is approx 2ft x 4ft containing 6 x 12 PV squares each 4”x4”.
Any idea what power this produces?

What kind of setup would be required for him to maybe charge up his laptop or cordless tools etc?

I would welcome suggestions how to make best use of this panel as I don’t what goes between the panel and a 240v socket to plug things into.

So… what can I learn from you lovely people to help out my friend?

Many thanks in advnce