Solar Energy Generation and Electricity

Solar Energy. We have it all around us every day. We can also use it to power our homes instead of buying electricity from the National Grid. It is a renewable energy source that, unlike the use of fossil and carbon fuels, does not harm the environment. As long as the Sun comes up, we will be able to harvest electricity from it, in the form of green energy.

This targets two important issues: both damage to the environment and household bills.

It's very easy to use and simply requires a set of Solar Panels known as a Solar PV (Photovoltaic) System.

In daylight hours electricity is made from Sunlight by the panels. At night, when there is no light to convert to electricity, it can be drawn directly from the National Grid.

Currently the government dictates that a system owner is paid for all of the electricity that their system generates, this includes any consumed by the system owner at the property. The system has to be in operation by March 2012 to be able to enter the scheme, but 41.3p is paid per kilowatt produced by systems in the scheme. Any electricity sold back to the grid earns a further 3p per kW.

You won't have to pay for Daytime Electricity and so you will save a minimum of £200/year. You will be paid at least £1000 (tax free) each year for all of the electricity your system can generate for the 25 years after you have the system installed, provided you do it before 31 March 2012. After installation, you won't even need to do any planned maintenance to your system, so there won't be any ongoing costs. The prices to have a system fitted are between £7500 and £20000, depending on your needs and property. It even fully pays for itself within 10 years!

Solar Energy Generation and Hot Water

Another great use for Solar Energy is the Solar Thermal System - this heats water for domestic use. These systems usually cost £3500 to £12000 depending on what you need. By heating up to 70% of all the water you need, your household bills will drop nicely too.

Starting in April 2012 the government will pay you for all hot water produced by these systems (this is probably going to be a yearly amount close to £350 to £400.)

If you would like to know more specific details of using SOLAR ENERGY to provide green power to your home for free, please go to the form on this page and up to three of our independent, MCS accredited specialists will contact you to discuss solutions applicable to you.