A huge amount of misinformation is being circulated about the merits, or otherwise, of solar power for homes. The solar power rebate is also a hot topic of conversation. The solar panel industry is growing quickly, and is obviously keen to promote the advantages of its products. Some of the claims, however, are very optimistic. As a professional engineer with a keen interest in solar energy I have done some research to see if there is any real merit in buying or - preferably - building your own solar panels for domestic use.
Most developed countries have now put in place various financial incentives for installing solar panels for both electricity and heat generation - the so-called Solar Power Rebate. Taking the United Kingdom as an example, there is now a Feed In Tariff (FIT) for electricity generation that rewards domestic owners of photovoltaic (PV) solar panel installations in two ways:
For an average household generating about 1800 kWh per year from solar PV panels this translates into various savings:
I understand that the FIT will be extended in due course to include installation of solar heat generators, which will also be good news for all of us who believe in 'free' energy from the Sun.
The bad news is that PV solar panels cost a lot to buy - in the UK, a typical installation could cost between £8,000 and £12,000. Again, there are a variety of ways of financing these costs but expect to need about 15 years to complete payment out of FIT earnings. Current PV solar panels are expected to have a useful life of about 25 years, however, so there is a clear long-term investment potential.
Costs and incentives for many other countries are broadly similar to the examples discussed here.
There is also an attractive alternative that will produce much greater returns. Instead of buying expensive ready-made PV panels, why not make solar panels for your own use? The process is very simple, if a little laborious, and can be done by anyone capable of holding a soldering iron reasonably steady. Building the 4 or 5 panels needed to generate about 2 kWh should cost no more than £500 ($750) in materials, and will look every bit as smart and professional as ones from the panel manufacturers.
There are clear savings to be made here, as well as environmental advantages, so why not consider building your own solar panels? It makes a whole lot of sense.
Most developed countries have now put in place various financial incentives for installing solar panels for both electricity and heat generation - the so-called Solar Power Rebate. Taking the United Kingdom as an example, there is now a Feed In Tariff (FIT) for electricity generation that rewards domestic owners of photovoltaic (PV) solar panel installations in two ways:
- A Generation Tariff for all electricity produced, currently £0.361 per kilowatthour (kWh) for new-build systems, and
- An Export Tariff for any unused electricity that is fed in to the National Grid, currently £0.03 per kWh.
For an average household generating about 1800 kWh per year from solar PV panels this translates into various savings:
- A saving of about £120 per year on electricity bills, plus
- Payments of about £750 from the Generation Tariff, plus
- Payments of about £30 from the Export Tariff.
I understand that the FIT will be extended in due course to include installation of solar heat generators, which will also be good news for all of us who believe in 'free' energy from the Sun.
The bad news is that PV solar panels cost a lot to buy - in the UK, a typical installation could cost between £8,000 and £12,000. Again, there are a variety of ways of financing these costs but expect to need about 15 years to complete payment out of FIT earnings. Current PV solar panels are expected to have a useful life of about 25 years, however, so there is a clear long-term investment potential.
Costs and incentives for many other countries are broadly similar to the examples discussed here.
There is also an attractive alternative that will produce much greater returns. Instead of buying expensive ready-made PV panels, why not make solar panels for your own use? The process is very simple, if a little laborious, and can be done by anyone capable of holding a soldering iron reasonably steady. Building the 4 or 5 panels needed to generate about 2 kWh should cost no more than £500 ($750) in materials, and will look every bit as smart and professional as ones from the panel manufacturers.
There are clear savings to be made here, as well as environmental advantages, so why not consider building your own solar panels? It makes a whole lot of sense.
Our aim is to provide in one place expert advice and guidance for making a number of solar and wind energy projects, such as solar panels, solar hot water heaters, solar swimming pool heaters, solar hot tubs, windmills, wind turbines and many other green energy devices, using easy step-by-step instruction manuals and good quality plans for the amateur and professional alike. From our experience we are able to investigate and select only those kits and systems that we know will work well and be simple to assemble.
We only recommend products that, in our opinion, offer true value for money and are fully guaranteed.
Please go to our specialized website Practical-Solar.com to learn more.
We only recommend products that, in our opinion, offer true value for money and are fully guaranteed.
Please go to our specialized website Practical-Solar.com to learn more.
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