The Advantages Of Installing Solar Panels
Installing solar panels in your home has many advantages. It means you can do your bit for the environment by reducing carbon emissions and save money at the same time by generating your own 'green' electricity.
Solar electricity is a renewable energy source that does not release any carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. It operates by using photo voltaic (PV) panels to convert sunlight to electricity. A home PV energy system results in over 1 ton less carbon dioxide being released into the atmosphere each year.
Once you've paid the initial installation cost, your electricity bills will be reduced; in fact, a typical home PV system can produce around 40% of a household's energy needs. You can also sell electricity back into the grid when your system produces more electricity than you can use.
To install a PV electricity system you'll need a sunny place to put it; that means a roof or wall that faces the sun and isn't overshadowed by trees or other buildings. If you plan to put the PV elements on your roof you'll need to check whether it is strong enough to support their weight and in some cases you may need planning permission.
The cost of installing such solar panels has fallen in recent years as they have become more efficient and easier to manufacture. An average home PV electricity system, which produces about 2.7kWp, costs around 12,000 pounds (including VAT). The great thing about such systems, however, is that your cost savings from reducing your energy use will pay for it in several years.
In fact, you can even make money with by selling any excess electricity you generate back into the electricity grid through a scheme called Feed in Tariffs. Some companies now offer free solar panels to customers in return for the income generated by these tariffs.