Popularity rise in Solar Power, why?

SOLAR POWER

Solar Power has grown incredibly in the recent years; with Britain now having 500,000 homes with Solar Panels, the business is booming! The general public are definitely opening their eyes to the brilliant benefits and opportunities that Solar Power has to offer.

Did you know Butterflies have Solar Panels on their wings? 

Financial benefits

Solar Panels obviously offer to cut down your electricity bills by becoming more dependent on solar power. The ever increasing prices of energy providers is clearly making people looking into Solar Power as it is an easy, cheap way of saving money. Also with the feed-in-tarrifs the government currently provides it makes it possible to earn up to £750 a year! Who doesn't want extra money in their back pocket? From the financial side of things, Solar panels are definitely a great benefit to home-owners looking to save money.

Feel good factor

Look how smug he is after his Solar Panel install

Solar Power is a clean, renewable energy which makes it GREEN! You can feel smug as you tell the world of how you produce clean energy which is potentially saving the Planet. Also speaking from personal opinion, there is nothing that makes you happier than seeing how much energy you're producing, and there is nothing that makes me look weirder than grinning insanely when I see that electric bill cut down to size!

The Buzz!

There is massive spike in the amount Solar Power is making into the media recently. Various government projects getting behind Solar Power like how the U.S. Navy plan to beam down energy from orbiting Solar Panels. Or even how one of Britain's biggest landmarks, Big Ben, could possibly be getting Solar Panels (Story here).

Mad Scientists

There is also gigantic leaps in the technological side of the Solar Panel world. With 'mad' scientists developing transparent solar panels, Solar panels that work better on cloudy days ! And even the revolutionary idea of the near possibility of being able to grow solar panels from BACTERIA. ITS ALIVE!!!

With all these contributing factors, it's no surprise that Solar Panels have been on the rise. There has never been a better time to get into the Solar Powered world, with so many people getting involved now, shouldn't you as well? If anything you have read has interested you in Solar Panels, visit this excellent site here for a FREE quote on Solar Panels ! 

Links:
All links to the stories can be found above. If none work I will post them down here too

• U.S. Navy story: http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2014/03/space-solar/
• Big Ben story: http://www.ecorazzi.com/2014/03/24/big-ben-might-go-green-get-solar-panels/?utm_content=buffer5584c&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer
• Transparent Solar Panel story: http://tweepmag.com/GreenBizWorld/GreenBizWorld.php?a=1&r=80&rt=767018
• Cloudy day story: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/science-news/10701064/British-scientists-develop-solar-panels-which-work-better-on-a-cloudy-day.html
• Bacteria Solar Panel story: http://qz.com/191122/the-solar-panels-of-the-future-could-be-grown-from-bacteria/?utm_content=buffer90a48&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer
• FREE SOLAR PANEL QUOTE: http://www.solarpanelquoter.co.uk/?s_eng=Reactivated-20140324

How much can you earn from solar in your town?

From April 1st the Feed-in-Tariff, that pays you for generating your own electricity from solar panels (whether you use it yourself or not) will drop to 14.38p/kWh, but what does that mean in your area?
Based on the Energy Saving Trusts' calculations you can see how much you should expect to earn and save in your region each year:

• Scotland: £624
• North East: £635
• North West: £650
• Yorkshire: £643
• East Midlands: £655
• West Midlands: £661
• Wales: £667
• East of England: £672
• London: £688
• South East: £718
• South West: £742

Remember, these are estimates for a 4kW system, and the FiT is index-linked and should increase year upon year with inflation.


Not installed solar panels yet? Find prices here.

Home Improvement Quotes on Facebook (and a few other places).

You'll have noticed our more recent newsletters have started displaying links to top social network sites like Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr.

Unlike the baddest 'Bond villain ever, It's not a quest for world dominance. Just a desire to make our online resources and homeowner articles available where, when and how you want them.

So if you're a fan of Facebook (for example), you can get all the latest articles and offers without having to 'log off'.

The same is true for our Twitter and new Tumblr (micro-blogging platform) accounts. Regular uses will know they can follow us to get the latest updates via their computers or mobile devices.

Our Home Improvements Blog and RSS Feed alerts can deliver the latest headlines directly into your news feed reader programme saving you having to re-visit the blog or website to see if there have been any updates - especially if you've left a comment or question on any of our Blog articles.

And the goodies don't stop there. Since before the massive interest in renewable energy began, we've been writing a daily article dedicated to the latest renewable energy news. Our Solar Panel blog carries informative articles on all forms of renewable energy, the latest grants and energy saving ideas. Renewable energy is to big a topic to ignore so we also launched a dedicated Twitter account and RSS feed just for you.

photo credit: jorge quinteros

Home improvements - with a little energy saving in mind

Who doesn't like to do a spot of home improvement? Ripping out old kitchens, re-modeling bathrooms and replacing draughty windows are just some of the favourite areas for improvement or revamping.

On a grander scale - extensions of loft conversions with en-suites - even turfing out years of unwanted junk from your garage and converting that have become more popular, as homeowners choose to stay put rather than the expense of moving home.

So before you pick up the sledgehammer (or reach for the internet to source a quote - click here for instant online home improvement quotes) - why not consider ways in which you can incorporate or specify energy saving devices.

For example....

If you're replacing a bathroom, why not consider:
- a smaller bath that will take less water to fill
- energy saving shower
- low flushing toilet systems that use half the water of a full flush
- mixer taps so hot water isn't wasted
- low energy light fittings and bulbs
- solar or ground source powered underfloor heating system

And in the kitchen - think about:
- mixer taps to save hot water
- 'A' rated energy efficient appliances
- low energy lighting
- underfloor heating powered by solar or ground source methods

Don't forget that the old fittings being replaced can often be recycled. Why not try to choose warm colours and warm to the touch surface materials too?

Insulation of extensions and conversions goes without saying - in fact it's very often part of the planning specification but think about how you're going to heat these additional rooms. Perhaps it's time to change the whole houses heating system to a more fuel efficient boiler or even explore solar panel systems?

Windows and doors should be double glazed and preferably 'A' energy rated. There are a range of frames and glazing options which include gas filled cavities and and special low-e coatings to help you achieve maximum efficiency and energy savings.

Outside, if you're improving your fascia or converting a garage - why not think about a rain water harvesting system or a simple divert to a water butt from a garage down pipe all saves money.

If you're having a new driveway, think about using reclaimed materials or blocks. Consider the environment and the risk of flooding by choosing a permeable driveway surface.

Check with your local authority - are there any local grants available for insulation or heating system improvements under the Warm Front Scheme or Boiler Scrappage Schemes? The Energy Saving Trust is one useful resource where you may be able to find out more.

And you thought improving your home was all about just having to choose a paint colour?

photo credit: drcorneilus

Beat the VAT increase on your home improvements

As of January 1st 2010, the standard rate of VAT will be returning to 17.5%. If you want to take advantage of the reduced rate, and potentially save hundreds of pounds on your upcoming home improvements project, you should be thinking about getting started as soon as possible.

Click here to read the full story.

photo credit: ssoosay