|
The Brightwell-cum-Sotwell PV Initiative is a BcS Environment Group campaign to help increase the number of energy saving Photo Voltaic panels installed in our Village.
By installing PV panels in our homes we can cut the amount of increasingly expensive carbon-based electricity we use. The technology is well established and now the government has made PV much more attractive for residential use. You save money through buying less electricity, plus you also get tax free payments for the next 25 years for the electricity you generate. The ideal roof direction is one facing south. However, the energy available decreases surprisingly slowly if a full South orientation cannot be achieved. If you don’t have a suitable roof, PV panels could be mounted on another structure such as a garden shed, or in the garden. Planning constraints have been relaxed even if you are in the conservation area. However if your property is listed then you will probably require planning permission.
The Environment Group has obtained cost estimates from several recommended suppliers, and possible discounts. Initial outlay varies according to the capacity required, ranging from around £ 6 000 to £ 14000. As a rough guide, a typical return might be a tax-free return of around 5% on capital invested, even in the unlikely case that electricity prices remain stable, and even more if they rise considerably as expected. This corresponds to a payback time of around 10 years. Normally PV systems require very little maintenance. However, the inverter used to convert the electricity from DC to AC will need replacing after 10 to 12 years at a cost of around £2000.
If you want to install Solar PV, there is probably not a better time than the present . For more information please contact David Evans-Roberts (836839) or Peter Varley ( 835554).
David Evans-Roberts and Peter Varley
<< Go Back
|
