If climate change scientists are to be believed, the future of mankind depends on our ability to break our dependency on fossil fuels and harness the potential of renewable energy sources. Solar power is at the leading edge of the green energy movement, and in recent years it has become a genuinely viable solution for homeowners across the UK. This article lists six key reasons why more and more people are turning to photovoltaic panels for their heating and electricity needs.

* The energy generated by the sun is equivalent to over 10,000 times the annual energy consumed by the entire world. It is an entirely renewable resource, meaning it never going to be used up. This vast source of energy remains largely untapped because of our reliance on non-renewable fossil fuels.

* Sunlight costs nothing, so once you have paid the cost of the initial installation, you can expect huge savings on your annual electricity bill. For an average home, a typical photovoltaic system can produce about 40% of the electricity consumed by the household each year.

* Solar panels do not create CO2 emissions, they are a form of ‘green energy’ or ‘clean energy’. Unlike fossil fuels like coal and gas, photovoltaic panels do not polute or harm the environment and contribute to global warming. They are an affordable way for the average person to combat climate change in their own home.

* Energy efficiency matters to homebuyers, so adopting solar energy is not only a way to save money on heating costs, it will also increase the value of your property.

According to the energy saving trust, buyers are willing to pay up to £10,000 more for an environmentally friendly house, and 70% of all buyers consider energy efficiency to a significant factor when deciding to buy a home.

* There is a misconception that solar panels only work in hot countries, and they are not effective in countries with milder climates such as the UK. This is incorrect – solar panels do not need direct sunlight as they also work on natural light. Even on hazy or overcast days, they can provide up to 60% of the hot water requirements for an average home.

* The UK Feed In Tariff Scheme, which was introduced on April 1st 2010, is a scheme designed to reward homeowners in Britain who adopt green energy systems. It works by giving homeowners a guaranteed payment of 41p for each kWh of electricity they generate by renewable means, such as solar panels or wind turbines.

If extra, unneeded electricity is produced, this can be fed back into the National Grid, entitling the homeowner to another 3p for each kWh exported, on top of the standard 41p payment.

Hopefully these points have been helpful in persuading you of the benefits of solar panels. While the initial installation costs can seem prohibitive, the smaller electricity bills, increased property value and UK Feed In Tariff mean that a photovoltaic system will more than pay for itself down the road.

Author Bio: Viable Energy are Scotland\’s leading photovoltaic panels specialists. Visit their website if you would like to know more about solar power scotland, solar panels Glasgow and pv panel installation in the UK.

Category: Home Management
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