News

Guardian.co.uk - 'Solar so good for our house'

An informative and interesting article about how solar power has benefited a family in South East London.

As well as outlining cost benefits it also describes benefits that are not so familiar in the mainstream.

The break down of what the installation costs versus financial gains is very informative and will definitely aid those that are, at least, considering Solar as an alternative energy source.

The following points were also of particular interest:

"People seem fixated with asking how many years the system will take to pay back. I could answer the question at the current yield of 6%, but that is up to 7% next year, so the payback time will shorten. And if oil prices continue to rise, pushing up electricity prices, my yield will rise and the payback will shorten. So it is impossible to predict.

But all that misses the point. The system represents an improvement to the house that saves money. So it should generate a higher sale value if I move. People don't ask what the payback time is of a new kitchen or bathroom - also home improvements - so why do they ask about a carbon-saving technology?"

» http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2008/apr/19/householdbills.consumeraffairs2