Prince Charles 'considering solar panels for London home'

Article date : 04/01/2010

Energy efficiency is likely to be on the agenda in 2010 for one member of the royal family, it is reported.

Prince Charles is reported to be considering having solar panels installed on to the roof of his London property Clarence House in a bid to improve his energy efficiency through the renewable energy technology.

The Prince of Wales is currently waiting to see if solar panels will be a possibility for his home, which is a historic 180-year-old Grade-II listed mansion.

He hopes to use the technology to boost his central heating systems.

Britons who reside in a listed property have to seek permission to have such technology installed as it is important it does not detract from the look of the building.

Commenting on the news, Jerry Stokes, the UK president of SunTech Europe, said: "The prince is very excited about this technology [...] The key thing is not to rush going super-green and be disrespectful of the visual impact."

Chancellor of the Exchequer Alistair Darling recently announced in the pre-Budget report that solar panel owners who direct any excess energy they produce back to the National Grid could receive a tax-free sum of up to £900 a year.

Written by Tony Harrison

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