Published on 02/9/2012

Why not save money and help the environment by having solar panels installed on your roof? With spiralling energy prices and the potential to make money out of the government Feed-in-Tariff mechanism, there has never been a better time to invest in solar power.

Why should I invest in a solar panel installation?

With the rising costs of gas and electricity, it is becoming more and more popular to opt for solar electricity. Solar panel installation was once considered as a very costly process that only wealthy families would invest in. However, these days there are now solar panel companies who provide professional, affordable and profitable solar panel installations.

5 Reasons why it makes sense to opt for solar panel installation

- Reduce your energy bills and carbon footprint.
- Make use of the most abundant energy source available to mankind, insulating yourself from the inevitable and continuing price rises resulting from ever depleting fossil fuel sources.
- Earn money tax free for the next 25 years guaranteed from the Feed-in-Tariff (FIT) Clean Energy Cash Back scheme.
- Make a sound, long term investment with returns of between 9-18%.
- Make use of a reliable, safe and environmentally friendly technology.

The Feed in Tariff

Feed in Tariffs (FIT) became available in early 2010, and provide financial rewards for households and businesses generating their own electricity. In essence, the FIT system means that energy suppliers are obliged to make payments to households who produce their own electricity. These payments can come in two forms, either by an index linked tax free payment from your energy supplier for every unit of electricity you produce, or with a payment for the energy you produce but do not use, which is exported to the grid.

How do solar panels work?

Solar energy can be harnessed in a number of ways, but one of the fastest growing energy technologies in percentage terms in recent years according to the Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change, is making use of photovoltaic solar panels. In its most basic formulation solar panels make use of the sun’s energy by using photovoltaic cells to convert light directly into electricity. As the cells can only convert light, they will not work at night, but fortunately a solar panel installation will work during the day time even when it is cloudy.

The electricity which is generated from the solar panel installation is then fed into your normal household circuits and will during the day power your everyday appliances such as your television and washing machine. Any electricity which is not used from the solar panel installation will not be put to waste, but will instead be measured using a meter and exported to the grid; a process for which you will receive financial reward. A solar panel installation therefore offers an intuitive and reliable power source for your home.

Once your solar panels have been installed they require very little attention and with no moving parts they’re essentially maintenance free, allowing you to simply relax and enjoy your new source of energy. To make the process even easier, solar panels also require no planning permission unless your building is listed in a conservation or world heritage site.

Overall, making use of solar power through solar panels is a hassle free and reliable approach to energy production.