Why it pays to use solar panels

Article date : 02/02/2010

Britons may wish to consider having solar panels installed as a clean method of heating their hot water supply and central heating systems following a recent government announcement.

Ministers have pledged that from April 1st, any household making use of either solar panels or wind turbines will receive a tax-free payment of £900, even if they power they generate is used in their own home.

By directing any excess energy they generate back to the National Grid, Britons will receive an additional payment.

And all this is in addition to the £140 renewable energy technology such as solar panels can reduce household utility bills by each year.

The payments and savings are estimated on a property with typical 2.5kW well sited solar photovoltaic installation.

Commenting on the news, energy and climate change secretary Ed Miliband said: "The guarantee of getting an income on top of saving on energy bills will be an incentive to householders and communities wanting to make the move to low carbon living."

Businesses could also find it beneficial to consider investing in solar panels, with the Environment Agency recently asserting from next year they will be charged by the tonne for the carbon they emit.

Written by Tony Harrison

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