solar energy in kent Who should consider solar heating?

Thanet array seen from top of North Downs near Lenham. Turbines are about 30 miles away - see map

 



Headlines

Climate change human link evidence 'stronger'
A review from the UK Met Office says it is becoming clearer that human activities are causing climate change. It says the evidence is stronger now than when the Intergovernmental PANEL on Climate Change carried out its last assessment in 2007.
SolarUK tests the effects of roofing colour on Solar Collectors
Solar UK teamed up with Renolit UK Ltd, manufacturers of the Alkorplan roofing membrane, for a trial showing that its solar PANELs work 9% more efficiently when installed on this white reflective flat roof waterproofing surface known as Alkorbright.
Solar PANEL costs 'set to fall'
The cost of installing and owning solar PANELs will fall even faster than expected according to new research. Tests show that 90% of existing solar PANELs last for 30 years, instead of the predicted 20 years.
Wind turbines and solar PANELs could be put up without planning permission
Wind turbines up to 15 metres high could be put up in industrial estates or farmland without planning permission under plans published by the government today.

energy saving trust

Clear Skies

Solar Panels

 

Feed in tariffs

Planning Ahead
Once fitted, a proportion of the energy you use in generating hot water is free and isolated from the ups and downs of energy prices.

As a financial benefit, say you have £3,000 in savings, will that generate more cash interest than saving the cost of say 70% of your water heating?

If you are retiring and would prefer to reduce your visible savings ...

Environmentally aware
By generating a portion of our heat from the sun, we are able to directly reduce our consumption of oil and gas and thus do our bit!

Solar Thermal panels cost about 2 Tonnes of CO2 to make and save about 1 tonne a year, that makes them carbon neutral after about 2 years - allowing for fitting etc. Then there is an indefinite period of free energy - in the sense of zero carbon.

Solar water heating panels should cost in the region of £3,000 - £4,000. Where it is the higher amount, there needs to be a clear reason!

In addition, home owners should consider the financial benefits.

If you have finally moved into the house that you expect to call home for many years to come, now is the time to consider one of the best investments you could make.

The sooner you install solar panels, the sooner you will reach the point that these panels will have paid off the initial investment and provide truly free hot water. Rather a clever part of the retirement plan?

And with the price of fuel continually increasing, the time taken to pay back the initial investment in a solar heating system is continually coming down.

What is more, if you expect to retire and remain in your house, this investment is an effective way of passing on financial benefits in the form of lower heating costs for the years ahead that the government won't be able to tax!

Do you have double glazing?

Most people who have installed double glazing considered the benefits of increased warmth and perhaps replacing older and decaying windows. Solar Water Heating in many respects offers similar benefits. There is the direct benefit in that fuel bills go down and an additional benefit in that solar water heating systems come with a new hot water cylinder. If you live in a hard water area, it is likely that your existing cylinder needs replacing!

Free hot water!

Why not install a larger hot water cylinder and be sure that however much hot water you use during the day, there's always more free hot water to come. Perhaps it will make the prospect of a hot tub that more realistic.

Will it add value to my property

Solar Water Heating is increasingly becoming accepted as an effective system of heating. Though it might not add value today, it will make your house more attractive to a purchaser and more likely to realise the price you are asking. As the price of energy goes up, anything that makes a house less expensive to run will be a key selling point!