Don’t let solar savings pass you by

Pssst. Have you heard? There’s now a simple way to cut your energy bills AND earn yourself a handy tax-free annual income. And what’s more, you can even do your bit to help save the planet too!

All you have to do is switch to solar. Simple to install, Solar PV (photovoltaic) and Solar Thermal panels offer a great solution to meeting the ever increasing cost of electricity.

Solar PV panels convert the sun’s rays into electricity, which can help you to reduce the amount of power you consume from the National Grid. (See how Solar PV works)

Solar Thermal panels use heat from the sun to heat up water which is then stored in your hot water cylinder to provide a ready supply of hot water for your home. (See how Solar Thermal works)

As a qualifying technology within the Government’s Feed-in Tariff (FIT) scheme, Solar PV can help you not only to save money on your energy bills, but also to generate some extra cash too! Basically, you will be paid for the electricity you export to the National Grid for a period of 20 years. With fuel bills and the overall cost of living continuing to rise, that’s an offer that’s almost too good to pass by! (See how much you could save)

To qualify for the scheme, your home must have an Energy Performance Certificate, with efficiency rated at Band D or higher. But don’t worry. If your home’s energy efficiency is in the lower bands (E, F or G), or if you do not have a Certificate, then help is at hand on the Energy Saving Trust’s web site.

There’s added good news too. Thanks to a new scheme that is currently being developed by Government, you could also qualify for a financial contribution towards the cost of installing Solar Thermal panels in your home. Part of a £7m scheme, the Renewable Heat Premium Payment is a one-off grant available to householders in England, Scotland and Wales to help pay towards the cost of installing renewable heating technologies. The grant applies to any installation that has been commissioned since 21st July 2011.

Ever the helpful chap, I’ve done some digging around to help you find out more about the scheme, including whether you’re eligible for a grant and how to apply. 

Constant sunshine not essential
As you’ve been reading this, you’ve probably been wondering whether it’s actually sunny enough in this country for the technology to work. Don’t worry. When properly located and installed, both Solar PV and Solar Thermal have been proven to work even when it’s overcast, making  them ideal for the UK’s unpredictable climate.

Find out more
To help you cast more light on the ins and outs of solar technology for your home, why not visit the dedicated solar panel pages on Sutton and East Surrey Water Services’ web site. The site has everything you need to help you find out what’s available, plus a great Q&A section which answers some of the main questions surrounding solar technology.