SOLAR BLOG

Families throughout the country are benefiting from sustained cost savings through solar panel installations on their homes. However, a recent report from Which? is warning consumers to be on look out for con artists and inadequately trained sales people.

The report has shown that a small number of companies could be claiming the benefits of solar power in the home to be better than they are in reality. It also shows that some sales staff have been using pressure selling techniques.

The findings by the consumer watchdog are surprising, and could undermine the hard work done over the past decade to build up an industry that is strong, environmentally sound and offers families a great solution to rising energy bills.

On an average home, combined income and savings should equate to around £1100 annually. With such an installation costing in the region of £11,000 to put in, it would pay for itself in 10 years, and generate a further £16,000 over the remaining 15 years of its 25 year lifespan.

Reputable solar panel suppliers have rightly been worried by the findings, but consumers should not be put off investing in the technology.

Pressure selling and tactics that offer large discounts for on the spot sales are not permitted under the solar panel industry’s own sales code. As such, instances of this should be reported to the local trading standards office.

As for sales people giving incorrect advice, potential customers are advised to always seek at least three separate quotes, and challenge any advice that suggests solar panel installations on shaded roofs will be viable.

The national press has been alight recently on the subject of the ever rising cost of electricity bills, though one pensioner could be forgiven for wondering what all the fuss was about.

Grace Quinn moved into a brand new two bed bungalow in September 2010, which had been built complete with a solar panel installation made up of six photovoltaic (PV) panels. Though Mrs Quinn fully expected the solar PV would lower her bills, her first statement amounting to a zero charge came as a bit of a surprise.

“I was shocked,” she said, before continuing, “(I knew), they would save money but I never expected to have nothing to pay.”

Whilst pensioners on a restricted income are badly hit by rising bills, the news will be seen as more than interesting by households and families across the country. That such a story is possible in the north-east of the country, is even further welcome news.

It was not so long ago that solar panel installations were only thought viable in the south of the UK. But increased advancement in the technology of domestic solar panels is quickly widening the field of areas where gains can really be seen.

Such stories could soon become the norm as more and more homes recognize the benefits to be had. With the possibility of making money too, through selling any surplus back into the National Grid, the environmental friendly solution that solar power has long been heralded to be could finally be dawning.

For many years, home solar power has been the subject of a great deal of research, being a major player in helping families to live low carbon lifestyles. Over the course of the efforts, there have been many new emerging technologies.

Most of the work is concentrated on improving the efficacy of the fuel cells, though one of the most interesting lines of development is focussed towards harnessing windows to produce power, and thereby drive down the cost of solar panel installations.

One such product is a solar photovoltaic spray. The spray leaves a fine coating on the surface of the window, with active cells a quarter the size of a grain of rice, leaving them translucent. The team responsible at New Energy Technologies Inc., suggest an increased cost effectiveness of over 30%.

There are also a range of experimental solutions, working to use on infra red wavelengths. These could offer the perfect answer, as IR makes up more than 50% of the sun’s energy, and, is re-emitted by the Earth long after sunset.

Early research suggests effectiveness could be double existing silicone cell capacity, and would be viable in less southerly facing regions. One early progression has seen the Massachusetts Institute of Technology develop organic cells, again for use in windows, which allow light and heat to continue to pass through.

To be practical for households, there is still much to be done before any innovations will be brought to market. But the speed in which they are developing, will require all solar panel installers to stay in touch to offer the best packages to their customers.

With Scottish Power (SP) announcing price rises of 10% and 19% on its electricity and gas prices respectively, the arguments for home solar power installations seem to have gained further strength.

The increases will come into effect from August 2011, and the announcement has already kick started a mass use of comparison websites to look for better deals. However, with all energy suppliers soon to introduce similar increases, significant savings look unlikely.

Though the cost of wholesale energy has risen significantly, a major argument from the executives at SP, the increase can also be put down to ever increasing green taxes applied to energy providers.   That these do not get itemised separately is a bone of contention to many, but they are there in any case.

With supplies of fossil fuels running down though, it is only inevitable that costs will rise. With taxes imposed, this is even more the case and it is an exercise put into place quite openly to make renewable energy more attractive.

With many incentives available to invest in solar panel installations, such as the feed in tariff (FIT) scheme, such price rises will not worry everyone so much. Whilst the initial installation cost of somewhere in the region of £10,000 seems high, energy bills will fall by about 50%, whilst income from FIT could be as much as £1,500.

The FIT rates are also guaranteed to home owners and small community projects for at least 25 years which, with the immediate future of more traditional energy bills uncertain, could be the biggest draw for those still deciding the merits of solar.

The Cornish town of Wadebridge looks set to become the first in Britain to be harnessing the full potential of solar power installations.

The region has set out ambitions plans that will see 33% or more of its total electricity consumption through renewable sources. With production on this scale in excess of 15,000MWh per annum, the savings to homes, businesses and schools will be huge.

As the cost of fossil fuel rises, the incentive is clear. Greener living is major draw too, but of greater benefit will be the potential to unlock thousands in cash, through the government’s feed in tariff (FIT) scheme.

The move is driven by the Wadebridge Renewable Energy Network (WREN) who, as a not for profit organisation, plan to use the income to fund community projects. With residents joining the scheme integral in the decision making process, the money is likely to be well controlled and directed.

With the launch of their ‘Solar Club’ initiative too, the organisation is helping people install the solar panels at very competitive rates. Those unable to afford installation may also join the scheme, with any income generated going to an ethical bank fund that will pay the initial costs.

Ten systems have already been installed, which marks just 10% of the expected total. However, with the FIT scheme being limited for projects over 50kWp, the full plans are likely to be curtailed somewhat.

Such restrictions on community projects could influence a rethink from the government, which would be welcome by green investors and solar panel companies throughout the country. Whatever the future though, it looks bright in this part of Cornwall.