Britons 'should take care with free solar panels offers'

Article date : 05/08/2010

Solar panels may be technology that many UK homeowners are keen to invest in, so that they can achieve lower utilities bills, reduce their carbon emissions and make their property more energy efficient.

However, Consumer Focus and the Centre for Sustainable Energy have urged caution when it comes to deals that provide solar panels for free.

While the groups acknowledge that such schemes follow a legitimate business model that can benefit Britons by allowing them to boost their central heating systems with the clean energy technology, they add that it could also see consumers tied into a long-term contract.

Indeed, the contract could last as long as 25 years, they warn, advising people to do their research and get legal advice before signing up.

Liz Laine, energy expert at Consumer Focus, said: "Free solar panels could cut consumers electricity bills and allow them to produce green energy at no cost, but customers need to go into these deals with their eyes open."

A further benefit of solar panels is that under the government's Feed-in Tariff, Britons can receive a cash payment for any electricity they produce, in addition to a further sum if they direct power to the National Grid.

Written by Tony Harrison

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