Brits 'should have access to cheap solar panels'

Article date : 07/07/2010

In order to drive a renewable energy revolution in the UK, one inventor is suggesting that Britons be given access to affordable solar power.

Michael Gratzel, who invented the low-cost solar cell, is now hoping that this will be the first step on the way to allowing the entire world to utilise the natural power of the sun, the Guardian reports.

As director of the Laboratory of Photonics, he received the Millennium Technology prize this year for the work he has carried out in the field of solar energy.

However, Mr Gratzel explained that at the moment, renewable energy is still out of the price range for many homeowners, which could be putting them off from investing in it.

"We need to get to a stage where solar panels are competitive, we have to come down to the range of 30p kilowatt hour and [my invention] has the potential to deliver that price," he explained.

Solar panels may prove to be an investment that pays off for homeowners in the UK, as in addition to reducing their bills, they can also redirect any excess power they produce to the National Grid in return for cash.

Written by Tony Harrison

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