Have you ever thought about installing photovoltaic panels and turning you south facing roof into a mini power station. There has never been a better time to do this.
With feed-in tarrifs coming into effect next spring you will be paid about 35p per unit of electricity that you generate. On top of this you will gain about 12p per unit for every unit that you use yourself (because you won’t have to buy it from your electricity supplier), plus you will be paid about 5p per unit that you export to the grid. On top of this, at present, you can still get a grant for installation, which covers up to 30% of the costs up to £4000 so, for the next six months or so you will win both ways and the the pay-back time will reduce to about seven years. Recent research has also shown that PV’s have a longer useful life than previously assumed -30yrs plus.
Installation of photovoltaics is now a ‘permitted development’, so you don’t need planning permission, unless you live in a conservation area. If you do live in a conservation area, don’t let this put you off applying -you don’t have to pay a fee and permission may well be granted.
For advice and assistance just contact the BeGreen shop 01368 863720 or email begreendunbar@btconnect.com
