Solar PV panels: think green for renewable energy
11th January 2012There is growing worldwide concern about the environment. We know we live in an age where we have become increasingly power hungry, and consequently are always searching for new energy resources. Yet we’re also aware about the damage and harm we are doing to or environment. Yes, we all need energy to survive and to meet our domestic and business needs, but that doesn’t mean that we can ruthlessly exploit every available resource and ignore the environmental consequences. (more…)
Solar PV panels, one small step for man: one giant leap for mankind
1st December 2011It’s been an unfortunate couple of weeks for the government, and a perplexing time for anyone interested in renewable energy or committed to reducing their carbon footprint. First it was reluctantly forced to backtrack on its green pledge to reduce carbon emissions by 2020, claiming this was impractical given the severity of the recession. Then it had to accept that its new ‘Green Deal’ would actually increase the price of the average domestic energy bill by as much as £280 per year by 2020. That’s on top of the slashing of Feed in Tariff rates for new PV Solar Panel households. In fairness though, it did reaffirm its commitment to green energy by launching a consultation on its Green Deal programme; the scheme designed to encourage consumers to take out subsidised loans to help make their homes more energy efficient, thereby reducing their energy bills. So, you’d be forgiven if you’re a little troubled and confused by events. (more…)
Why are solar panels good for the environment?
21st October 2011There is growing concern about the environment, particularly about the damage and harm we are doing to it in our search for new energy resources. Yes, we all need energy to survive, but that doesn’t mean we should ruthlessly exploit every available resource and ignore the consequences. We all probably consume more energy than we need, so we should cut back and use less. However, that doesn’t seem to be in our nature. We simply bury our heads in the sand and carry on consuming as if the Earth’s resources are unlimited. Unfortunately they’re not. One day we’ll have used all our coal, oil and gas resources, and when this happens we’ll be in deep trouble. Fortunately, there is a solution to this problem: it’s called renewable energy. With technologies like PV solar panels, wind turbines and geothermal power, we are now in a position to produce sustainable and environmentally-friendly energy without harming our fragile planet. (more…)
Do you need Planning Permission or Building Regulations approval to install PV solar panels?
14th October 2011Because of the rising costs of energy, and the astronomical increases levied by the country’s 6 major energy suppliers, consumers are looking at ways to make savings. The obvious answer is to cut down on our energy consumption. It makes sense after all: we can’t continue to use this resource at the rate we’ve grown accustomed to, because there just isn’t enough to go around. Yet, however laudable this intention may be, it just isn’t practical for most of us. We need energy to survive, and there’s a limit to how much we can trim off our consumption. So consumers and experts have been looking at other ways in which we can satisfy our power needs without putting an excessive strain on the National Grid. The answer they have come up with is renewable energy. It’s clean and it’s green and, better still, because it’s a natural and renewable resource, it’s cheaper too. Consequently there’s been an enormous growth in interest in green energy, particularly solar-cell generated energy, or solar panels. They’re relatively economical to install, produce clean electricity and eventually pay for themselves through subsidies from the government-backed Feed in Tariffs (FiTs). (more…)
Talking about micro-generation
9th October 2011We tend to hear nothing but bad news about the planet and the environment these days. If it’s not the new evidence that the polar ice caps are melting quicker than was predicted, it’s news that another hole has been discovered in the ozone layer which could potentially threaten our health. Some people will throw their hands up at such news and think that we’re doomed and there’s nothing we can do to change the situation. Others, however, take a more measured and pro-active approach, and reason that if all of us can make just one small change, then collectively we can really make a difference. Well, for all the doubters there is now a little good news: there’s a technology that we can all embrace that will positively contribute to the preservation of the planet, not just for this generation, but for future ones too. You can produce your own electricity in a greener and more sustainable way, using natural resources like the sun, wind or water. The technology’s called micro-generation, and it lets you produce low carbon renewable energy. Oh, and by the way, you might be able to make a few bob too in the process. (more…)
Why should you be investing in photovoltaic solar panels?
5th October 2011Barely a week passes without the news leaking out that one of the six major energy suppliers is about to put their electricity prices up yet again. They all claim to be better than each other and to act independently, yet most of us have deep-seated suspicions that the playing field isn’t quite as level as it’s claimed to be. So whether you choose to have your electricity supplied by British Gas, Npower, Eon, EDF, Scottish Power or Scottish and Southern, the one thing you can count on is that your electricity bill will continue to rise exponentially, even though your wages probably won’t. (more…)
Is my home suitable for PV solar panels?
30th September 2011We’d all like to save money wherever and when ever we can especially now we’re facing such austere economic times. With electricity prices set to rise by a further 17 percent in the coming weeks, it isn’t surprising that lots of people are now turning their attentions to green energy and solar PV technology. After all it makes perfect sense: why wouldn’t you want to harness the sun’s light to power your home free of charge? The only point that needs to be stressed is that although solar PV panels may sound very tempting, they aren’t suitable for every one or every home. So before you take the plunge and take that all-important step to go green, you really need to ask yourself one fundamental question. Is my home suitable for PV solar panels and solar PV technology? (more…)
Does it make financial sense to invest in solar PV panels?
26th September 2011There’s not a lot of money flowing round the system at the moment, and those lucky enough to have a little put by are understandably reluctant to part with it. Interest rates are historically low, and consequently the return on savings is dismal. We’re all either trying to save as much as we can, or looking for ways to make our savings work harder for us: unfortunately the opportunities to achieve either of these objectives get fewer by the week. So, if somebody said to you that you could cut your electricity bill in half and generate a reasonable income by harnessing the free power of the sun, you’d probably bite their arm off and sign on the dotted line without question. If that same person came to you and said you can have half-priced electricity and an income, but you’re going to have to stump up around £12,500 first to qualify for these benefits, you might actually think twice about it. That’s the choice for those looking to invest in and install PV solar panels. There are undoubtedly benefits to be had if you take the plunge, but they come at a cost. So, can you ever justify spending such a large amount of money in the hope that you might generate an income? (more…)
So how do solar panels work?
12th September 2011If you mention the phrase solar power to most people, they’ll inevitably tend to glaze over and tell you that it’s all just too complicated and scientific for them to comprehend. The truth of the matter is, it isn’t really that difficult to grasp. After all, this type of green energy or renewable energy has been around for years and, what’s more, we’ve all been using it without a second thought. How long have you been using that solar-powered calculator for? Exactly, quite a while and you probably never even considered that it works by converting the sun’s light into usable energy. (more…)
Solar Celebrities
7th September 2011Green is the new Black!
I’m forever writing how solar panels are getting more and more popular. I start a lot of articles and blog entries that way. This article is on that topic – the springing up of solar panels on celebrity mansions! (more…)
