Solar Blog

A recent article in yesterday’s Daily Mail could have misled many readers in terms of the perceived merits of installing solar panels on your roof. There is a distinct difference between solar PV panel solutions (which generate electricity) and solar thermal panels (used for the sole purpose of heating water).

Solar PV (Photovoltaic) Panels convert the natural sunlight into electricity for use throughout the home. Generating your own power means therefore that you significantly reduce the amount of power needed to be drawn off the national grid.

The benefits of solar PV massively outweigh those of Solar Thermal solutions, as Solar PV installations are tied to the Feed in Tariff Scheme. The FIT’s provide excellent financial incentives for homes who install solar PV, as recognition that they are now generating there own power, and thus taking less kW from the grid.

Solar Thermal on the other hand can sometimes be unreliable and fail to live up to it’s expectations. When it comes to a choice between Solar thermal and Solar PV, there really is no contest.  

The financial savings of Solar PV are extremely attractive at this current time, with householders able to claim 41.3p per kWh of electricity they generate, and an extra 3p per kWh for any electricity generated that is not used, and fed back to the grid (export tariff).

It is vital that consumers know the distinct differences between Solar PV and Solar thermal technology, and also that they appreciate the much greater benefits offered by Solar PV compared to Solar Thermal.

With a government review of Feed In Tariffs planned this Autumn, time is very much of the essence in terms of signing up for Solar PV. This way, householders will be guaranteed the current top FIT rate if they commit in the next few weeks.