| The main advantage of solar power is that it is a free | | | | need to be adapted to make it compatible with the |
| and renewable resource, and is so much better for the | | | | photovoltaic technology, which could mean an |
| environment than conventional energy supplies such as | | | | additional £4,000 added to the installation costs. |
| fossil fuels. Also solar power is one of the few | | | | Once a domestic solar system is up and running it can |
| renewable energies that is easily applicable on a | | | | save you as much as 50% on your annual fuel bills, |
| domestic level, as the flat panel technology can be | | | | which for the average home could be as much as |
| integrated quickly and very successfully into both the | | | | £600 a year. At this rate it would take over 10 |
| urban and rural settings, and unlike wind power there is | | | | years to gain back what you originally invested in your |
| little noise pollution or visual impact on the surrounding | | | | solar system, but you will be reducing your reliance on |
| landscape. | | | | conventional fuels, and if these fuel prices continue to |
| Solar power has been around for many years, and is | | | | soar over the years, your solar investment will |
| still a developing technology. If the conditions are right it | | | | become more and more financially sound. |
| can one of the most efficient sources of renewable | | | | Also you could improve your fuel savings even further |
| energy, but an obvious disadvantage is that solar | | | | by setting up an 'islanding' scheme with your local utility |
| energy can not be harness at night or during very | | | | company. This is where you arrange for your solar |
| overcast days, and so power must be collected and | | | | system to be connected to the main grid, and |
| stored for use at these times. | | | | whenever you have excess electricity that you do no |
| One of the main disadvantages throughout the | | | | need you can sell it to the utility company. This will also |
| development process of solar power has remained | | | | save you having to buy any expensive photovoltaic |
| the costs, as the equipment needed to harness solar | | | | batteries to store your excess power and it should |
| energy and convert it into electricity is highly specialised | | | | mean that any additional power you need on overcast |
| and expensive. The most common solar technology | | | | days or during the night will be offset by the power |
| for domestic use is the photovoltaic system. This | | | | you have sold back to the utility company on sunny |
| involves solar panels that are installed on rooftops, | | | | days. Depending on the efficiency of your solar |
| which are costly to produce, install and maintain. | | | | system you could reduce your fuel bills by over 80%, |
| The most basic system would cost around | | | | but you may need additional specialist equipment to |
| £3,000 for an average home, and it is also more | | | | ensure the electricity you are producing is compatible |
| than likely that the entire central heating system would | | | | with the main grid. |