What it might look like if every roof had solar panels installed

Ever wondered what the skyline would look like if every house had solar panels installed on its roof?

The Guardian ran a picture story earlier in the week regarding a massive domestic solar installation on 600 homes in Nottingham.

The large picture, accompanying the story illustrates perfectly just what the skyline would look like - click here.

photo credit: creativity103

Trainee electricians get free training on solar installations

Nottingham City Council reports how a group of trainee electricians took part in some free training which will benefit them when it comes to working on solar installations.

The training centred around working at heights and manual handling.

It's part of a joint project between the City Council and E.On and Nottingham City Homes, which is hoping to install solar panels on 600 homes in the Aspley area of the city.

Carried out at E.On's building services academy, the 10 trainees will have the knowledge to install and maintain panels.

photo credit: leon hart

You have questions about solar energy - we'll try and answer them.

Amongst the 3,000+ homeowners that use our family of online home improvement quoting websites every week, there are a quite a few interested in solar panel installations, having used our solar panel quoting website.

Later, when our customer advisers speak with homeowners, it's clear that many of you have questions about the how, why and where.

We've been working on a pack of information for our advisory team here at Price Engines Ltd (owners and administrators of the 'Quoter family of websites) so that everyone has the right reference materials at hand.

But why stop there we thought? Why not publish the most common questions and answers that you, homeowners thinking of installing solar panels, ask us every day?

So starting tomorrow, we'll be doing just that - answering your more common questions but don't forget, after you've got your online quote, you'll have the option of talking to our homeowner advisory team directly.

photo credit: photosteve101

Solar savings amidst cuts for Council

A council is being criticised for spending on a solar panel installation whilst cutting services and amenities for residents.

This is Staffordshire reported how Stoke-on-Trent City Council is spending £134,500 installing 198 solar panels on its civic centre.

The council hope the panels will help cut their £147,000 annual electricity bill.

Despite the plight of the local residents, who are angered by the loss of so many services and cuts in many others, claiming the council has got its priorities wrong, there was one nugget of good amongst the report.

In the bottom third of the report was the councils belief that the panels will have paid for themselves within 14 years - if electricity prices stay the same.

I don't think any of us expect anything less than energy prices continuing to rise, which will only shorten the pay back period on such installations.

The report also mentions that the Council will gain an estimated £9,400 a year in revenue from the Government's feed-in tariffs. Let's hope that will ultimately be pumped back into the community.

photo credit: gene hunt

Feed-in tariffs - Minister will 'act' if companies get greedy

Minister for Energy and Climate Change - Greg Baker, has warned companies and commercial enterprises that try to cash in on the feed-in tariffs that he will act to ensure sufficient funds are left available for private householders to take up the feed-in tariff scheme.

The comments come after several large commercial projects have been discussed.

The fear is that if too many companies and investors jump on the feed-in tariff bandwagon, then the funds the Government has set aside for paying for the tariffs will be used up, denying everyday homeowners the chance to install their own solar generation and be paid for the green energy they produce.

The Government has pledged £400 million for the present feed-in tariff system up till 2014.

Solar panels linked into the feed-in tariffs represent a very attractive investment at the moment - no wonder it's becoming so popular.

If you'd like to explore the money making and lets not forget the energy savings that can be made with your own solar panel installation, then use Solar Panel Quoter and get your free online solar panel installation quote.

photo credit: todd petit

Flat roof industry sees solar potential

A company with over 75 years experience in the roofing industry is optimistic about growth for flat roof solar panel installations.

Derbigum Energies reckons that over the next 4 years, they'll see an average annual growth of 60%.

80% of these arrays will be sited on the flat and shallow roofs of commercial units - especially where planning restrictions may have stopped a traditional raised solar panel installation, the company reckons the new flat 'system' should overcome such objections as they cannot be seen from street level.

This is very good news for the commercial sector and could provide a valuable income for any business when coupled with the feed-in tariffs.

Read more about this story at 24 hour newsdesk.

photo credit: local people photo archive

Wrexham Council solar scheme plan backed

The BBC reported that a plan by Wrexham Council to install photovoltaic solar panels to 3000 properties at a cost of £25 million has been agreed (in principle).

The scheme would benefit the council and tenant's alike - the tenant's would see reductions of up to 40% in their energy bills, whilst the council would earn an estimated £25.7m net income over 25years from the Governments feed-in tariffs.

The council hopes the scheme would raise a £1million a year in income.

Just as impressive is the figure that each property involved in the installation scheme would save around 1 tonne in CO2 emissions each year.

A separate plan to install solar panels on 13 buildings including schools and leisure facilities will cost £3.4million.

Good news for the people of Wrexham, who'll be awaiting a date in February (2011) when the council must present its business plan.

photo credit: gareth wright

Solar boom will present challenges for inundated businesses

Dot Green wrote a very interesting blog post, pointing out that the solar boom we're experiencing in the UK has the potential to catch a great many installers out as pressure is put on the supply chain.

Quite aside from the upfront costs for smaller companies landing large commercial projects, which they may have previous little experience in handling, and don't even get him started on utility companies selling solar installations like they were double glazing.

Whether you're a customer or an installation company, I'd say this article has some wise words. Read it here.

photo credit: danrandom

How's Twiggy going to model a solar panel?

One of the British high street's biggest and well known names has announced a range of solar panel installations packages for consumers.

M&S has joined the green revolution by offering customers two solar panel packages.

The packages covering both photovoltaic (electricity) and thermal (hot water) solar panel installations will start from £3999 for a solar thermal system and £7999 for a photovoltaic system*.

M&S have already launched energy services in partnership with SSE earlier this year - the scheme already has over 300,000 customers signed up, and also offer home insulation services.

*source Energy Efficiency News.

photo credit: sheila ellen

Oxford school becomes UK's largest solar panel installation

As appeared recently in the Oxford Mail...

A £290,000 installation has just ben completed on a secondary school in Oxford, making it the largest solar panel installation to be unveiled to date.

550 panels sit in four sections above the schools main assembly hall and science classrooms. A further 50kw system was installed on a neighbouring supermarket.

The school was able to go ahead with the scheme after getting a £800,000 grant from the Department of Energy and Climate Change.

The scheme funds the panels, the school providing the space to mount them on. The school pays for the electricity they generate at a lower cost and the money they pay is then re-invested in other projects.

Read the full article here which includes quotes from some very excited pupils and staff alike.

photo credit: frankjuarez

How to install solar panels yourself

Although our online solar panel quote website is based on figures for supplying and fitting solar panels, we do get the occasional request for supply only with homeowners keen to install their own solar panel system and save a bit of money into the bargain.

However, I'd urge anyone not completely familiar with the process to think very carefully before fitting your own solar panel system.

How are you with heights?
The majority of solar panel installations take place on the roof so you've got to feel comfortable with working up there - we're not talking about a ladder to the guttering - we're talking about walking and moving around on the roof itself.

Then there's the plumbing / wiring connections. Not only have they got to be secure (you don't want to be going back up again), but you're also going to have to make sure that the roof itself is still weatherproof where pipes or wires enter the loft space.

Some solar panels can be quite weighty so you'll need to think about how you're going to get the panels up onto the roof in the first place.

Just a few points to consider before you go ahead as a price for supply and fit might be better value that you first imagined.

Visit Solar Panel Quoter and get your free online quote today.

photo credit: foxtongue

Pay back periods and other pesky nonsense...

Over at Renewable Energy World.com (it took me 3 attempts to spell 'renewable' correctly then!), they highlighted how one renewable energy professional decided the time was right to install photovoltaic and hot water solar panel systems to his own house.

As the chap pointed out, with the imminent feed-in tariffs in the UK and the promise of the Governments Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) next April (2011), now was a very good time to do the installation.

He's worked out his home's power and hot water usage and installed a system that should provide for both, but probably won't generate enough on a regular basis to put any back into the National Grid.

Even so, he's looking at cost savings of £1500 a year from the electrical generating panels and the hot water system will have paid for itself in 12 years.

Not to mention the 1500kg/yr in CO2 emission cuts from the PV system and a further 360kg/yr cut from the hot water solar panel system.

It's a well balanced article with the experience of one who sells and installs solar panel systems for a living, installing them onto his own home. Read the full article by clicking here.

If you're tempted by the recent feed-in tariffs and renewable heat incentives, then the best place to start is by getting an online quote from the Home Improvement Quotes Network website - solar panel quoter.

After you've got your online price, if you request it, we can then match your requirements with our UK wide database of solar panel installers, rated with real homeowner feedback to help you make an informed decision on whether to use that company or not.

photo credit: misskiller

Solar panels the talk of the street

Thanks to Good Energy (via Twitter) for tweeting this article about one families experiences with installing solar panels and the savings they're making, even during the Winter.

What's surprised them even more is the reaction from neighbours who, it seems, keep popping in for a quick chat and a little solar energy education at the same time ...

Read their full blog post here

If reading their story has wetted your appetite for installing your own solar panels, then the best place to start is by getting an online quote for the system and requirements you think you might have. Click here to get your FREE online quote from Solar Panel Quoter .co.uk

photo credit: adactio

Climate Sceptic? Then vote with your wallet.

Yesterdays post addressed the recent disclosures of the scientific community that some of their date conclusions were in-accurate. However, the post did address the inescapable fact that whether you believe in climate change or not, then investing in solar and other renewable energies for your home was an economic choice rather than a purely environmental one.

A BBC environment analyst wrote a very interesting report (click here to read the full article) which looked at the wider picture of the recent allegations against the science - how political setbacks in the US could see hopes of a climate bill dashed after a Supreme Court ruling that corporations should be afforded the same rights as individuals - basically companies "should be able to spend as much as they want on advertising to attack politicians' plans. The fossil fuel industry is poised with banknotes at the ready".

The piece looks at the effect the allegations will have on the political front - our own government included.

It's still worth pointing out though that, even if the sceptics are right, energy bills are getting more expensive and if that cost can be offset by generating your own energy, AND, you can take advantage of schemes, grants and tariffs to lower the overall installation cost and pay back period, then surely, it's still worth doing?

What do you think?

photo credit: pheezy

NASA Mars Rover proves why Solar Panel orientation is important

One of the most important questions you'll be asked when you're discussing a solar panel installation on your home with the installation company (or even before that when you're getting your title="online solar panel quotes">solar panel quote), is in which direction does your roof point?

To make the most of what a solar panel can offer in terms of its output, the panel/s need to be in full sunshine for as long as possible. Overhanging trees and neighbouring tall buildings can shade a panel to much, to make it effective.

If shading is a problem, you're installation company may be able to offer an alternative panel design which incorporates single cells -if one cell is shaded, the others still continue to work etc.

Shading isn't just restricted to trees and buildings 'overhanging'. Accumulations of dirt, fallen leaves etc will also reduce your solar panels efficiency - read our previous post on solar panel maintenance.

Even high-tech space probes can fall foul of the all important orientation to the Sun as NASA announced last week they'd finally given up trying to free the Mars Spirit rover from it's 'sand bunker' and have conceded that, although as a stationary scientific station, it will still continue to function, because of it's position, it's own solar arrays won't collect enough Sun to power it until the Martian Summer arrives.

You can read more about the Mars Spirit mission here.

photo credit: chadica

Does installing solar panels affect your home insurance?

I'm indebted to YouGen for answering an obvious question - does installing solar panels (or any other form of renewable energy) to a home affect your house insurance?

As YouGen so neatly sums up: "according to the Association of British Insurers, there isn't an overarching rule on this one, and it will depend on your insurer. The golden rule for insurance is to tell your insurer if you're planning to make any material structural changes to your property,"

So it may pay to find out before you book an installation, rather than wait a year and then find you're not adequately covered.

It reminded me of my own days spent working in an insurance brokers office where the general rule of thumb was 'if you've made any alterations, inform your insurers'. Adding solar panels is like adding an extension - it'll probably mean the repair / replacement costs will be higher so you you can expect an increase in your premium to cover the additional costs.

Visit YouGen's website to read their article in full which has a quote from NFU Mutual on the subject - click here

Don't forget if you're thinking of getting solar panels installed on your property and you'd like a rough idea of how much the installation will cost for insurance purposes, you can visit Solar Panel Quoter .co.uk and get an instant on line price guide.

photo credit: editor b

Couple recall excitement on day their Solar Power Inverter was fitted

A couple in Lewes have been upgrading their home to be greener.

In this post, they re-count the day the solar panel installation ended and the excitement, following the fitting of the power inverter, as they watched the power meter rise, then running outside to see their mains meter drop.

It's a very good read and if your New Year's resolution is to be greener, then it's a great showcase for what is possible.

Click here to read more.

photo credit: bing bing

Residents ready to fight for the right to solar energy

Occasionally, I like to catch up with solar energy news from around the globe and this little snippet as appeared in the Los Angeles TImes made me wonder if the same thing could happen here in the UK - indeed, might have already happened?

The story in the LA Times concerns a homeowner who asked his housing association for permission to install solar panels on the roof of his apartment.

The housing association turned him down so he sued stating the State's Solar Rights Act in which he argued the homeowners association couldn't unreasonably block his solar installation.

He won and what's more, the housing association were ordered to pay costs which amounted to "tens of thousands".

What struck me most was this is in a state where they're really pushing solar energy with grants and tariffs to encourage home owners to install solar energy as the report concludes:

"California two years ago launched a $3.3-billion effort to increase the use of solar statewide, offering rebates and tax credits to consumers who install energy systems. Since then, the number of homes and businesses with installed solar has more than doubled, growing from 23,000 in 2006 to 52,700, according to the California Public Utilities Commission.

The cost of small solar systems declined 9% in the last year and larger installations have fallen 13%, the PUC said in an October report. Still, the state is far from being on track to its goal of adding 3,000 megawatts in solar panels by 2016, sufficient to power 600,000 homes"

Surely, there will be similar rules introduced here that prevent the blocking of reasonable renewable energy installations?

Read the full article by clicking here and visiting the LA Times.

Your solar panel installation company should be able to help with any local planning requirements - start by getting a free online quote to compare solar installation prices in the UK with Solar Panel Quoter - click here.

photo credit: claudiogennari's

Where there's muck there's Solar Panels...

When it comes to Solar Panel installation, you need two things. The Sun and somewhere in the Sun to mount the panels.

The Sun isn't the problem, it's finding the large areas of space needed to mount enough panels to generate serious amounts of power. In the USA, California is driving an ambitious project that will see most roofs fitted with some solar power generating capability.

Meanwhile, as reported in the North Jersey.com news, they've got even more creative...

"The Northwest Bergen Utilities Authority in Waldwick recently unveiled two football field-sized solar arrays sitting on a platform 11 feet above tanks holding raw sewage.

'In New Jersey you have to be more creative,' said Tom Buono, a vice president at Vanguard Energy Partners in Branchburg, which built the array in Waldwick. 'In California or desert states like Arizona or New Mexico, you have vast amount of land to put large arrays on.'

Much of the utility authority's 21 acres is covered by buildings, roads and dozens of processing tanks that turn 10 million gallons of sewage into clean water each day. The only place where a large array could fit and face southward was over the tanks." ... read the full story by clicking here.

So the space is there - we've just got to be creative about where we look for it. Football stadiums, Petrol station canopies, even garden sheds.

Remember, if you're thinking of fitting solar panels to your home, you may find additional mounting space on lower extension roofs or even garage roofs. Once you've got your online solar panel installation quote (click here), talk to your solar panel installer about the best siting options for your property.

photo credit: stephen barnett

Solar Panel Installation - Quick Top Tip 2

Once again, thanks to Sue Kateley, executive director of the California Solar Energy Industries Association (where they know a thing or two about solar energy) for this great tip for homeowners thinking of having solar panels installed on their homes.

"Understand your current power use. Look at 12 months of electric bills so you know your peak use periods. A good system should offset those peaks."

More from Sue later.

In the meantime, if you've been thinking of cutting your own fuel / energy bills, then Solar Panel Quoter .co.uk is a great place to start. You'll get an instant online quote without any fuss. Click here to get a solar panel installation online quote now.

photo credit: karlschneider