Solar Energy – Electricity and Hot Water Solar Suppliers and Advice

Alternative energy has become an issue of great discussion in the UK and across the world. Both commercially and in a domestic setting, solar and wind power have received considerable investment in recent years. Many homeowners are taking matters in to their own hands and investing in small scale alternative energy sources for their properties. The growing costs associated with electricity provision, and questions over the suitability of coal, gas and nuclear stations for generating our electricity requirements, have made domestic energy production more viable.

There have also been great improvements in commercially available solar and wind power systems for the home. A wide range of equipment is available and the number of companies offering products, installation and expert advice is growing. Solar, the fastest growing of all alternative energy technologies, is now a popular option and one chosen by thousand of UK homeowners.

Whilst solar panels of the 1980s and 1990s were extremely inefficient and expensive, developments in solar technology have gone a long way to making the technology viable, even in a domestic setting. Early solar panels were extremely energy intensive to produce, which manifested itself in high prices. Many systems were unlikely to repay the initial costs in terms of energy production.

However, this situation is changing. With careful research there are products available which can make a significant difference to the electricity needs of a household and at reasonable prices. There is still a significant initial cost, but this is falling. Evidently, once the solar panels are installed this generation is clean, emission and virtually cost free.

Solar hot water heating systems have become the most popular choice in the UK. Whilst photovoltaic panels produce electricity from sunlight, flat panel or evacuated tube panels are used simply to heat water. They are generally less complex in design, use less energy to produce and are available more cheaply. Solar water heating is a great place to start when investing in home energy production.

One common debate is whether the UK’s climate renders it unsuitable for solar. This is a complex question, and one for which regional variations must be taken into account. Whilst locations on the south coast of the country may receive 1750-2000 sunshine hours per year, other areas languish below the 1000 hour mark. Many types of solar panel – with the exception of evacuated tube panels for example – will be inefficient in overcast conditions.

Thus each case must be taken on its merits. It should not be assumed that solar is a useful solution for domestic energy production across the board in the UK. Questions regarding the UK’s suitability for solar notwithstanding, the technology certainly has a part to play in future energy production. Correctly sited, and with consideration given to the “embedded energy” – energy used in the production of the unit – solar can be a good solution in the UK even given its limitations.