1:55pm Tuesday 23rd June 2009
NOW could be the best time to invest in solar power for your home or business, according to a company.
Next April the Government is due to introduce an incentive which means homes will get paid for the energy their solar panels generate.
Under the incentive, called a feed-in tariff, energy companies are obliged to buy back any electricity homes generate from their solar panels at higher than the market rate.
The tariffs are already commonplace in Europe and managing director of Greenwich-based company iGen Solar Alistair Smit says it has been a big success in countries like Germany and Spain.
He said: “Solar power has been around for years but now it’s a really key time to get involved.
“It doesn’t mean we should sit around waiting until April to wait for the tariff.
“Now might be the best time for you to take the grants and benefit from them.”
Households can currently get Government grants of up to £2,500 for renewable energy while charities and not-for-profit organisations can claim half the cost of installation.
And, despite England not being blessed with sunshine, Mr Smit says solar power is still the best option for Britain’s homes, helping to reduce carbon emissions.
He said: “Solar doesn’t rely on direct sunlight to work, it works from the sun’s radiation.
“As soon as the sun comes up, solar starts to work.”
His company was set up at the start of the year, and installs two types of solar systems in both residential and commercial properties.
Thermal systems use sunlight to heat water and can produce 60 to 70 per cent of a household’s annual hot water consumption.
Solar photovoltaic systems work to produce electricity and can generate up to half of a home’s annual electricity usage, while benefiting from the feed-in tariff.
Getting panels installed on your roof to provide the power can cost from around £4,000 to £11,000 and normally takes one to two days.
For more information call 0787 219 2000 or visit igensolar.com
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