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Residential Solar Energy For The UK
Choosing a residential solar energy system suitable to your needs requires consideration of a range of factors. Do you want solar energy for heating water, for producing electricity or both? Other factors to consider include the area of south facing roof, the existing water heating system (if you want hot water) and your budget. A competent accredited installer will be able to assess your situation and discuss with you the best configuration to meet your needs. Regions of the UK In England, changes to permitted development rights for microgeneration technologies introduced on 6th April 2008 have lifted the requirements for planning permission for most residential solar energy water heating installations. Roof mounted and stand-alone systems can now be installed in most dwellings, as long as they respect certain size criteria and the general look of the area if you live in a conservation area. In Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, you must consult with your local authority regarding planning permission to facilitate installations of microgeneration technologies, including solar water heating and solar pv systems. Solar water heaters The typical installation cost for a solar water system is £3,000 - £5,000. Evacuated tube systems are more advanced in design than flat plate, and so tend to be more expensive. However, if you know some basic DIY you can dramatically cut the costs of this type of system by installing your own. Click on the link for more details on the residential solar energy kits for hot water. Solar water heating systems generally come with a 5-10 year warranty and require little maintenance. A yearly check by the householder and a more detailed check by a professional installer every 3-5 years should be sufficient. Solar PV Electricity For the average residential solar energy pv system, costs can be around £5,000- £7,500 per kWp. Solar tiles cost more than conventional panels and panels that are integrated into a roof are more expensive than those that sit on top. However, they blend into the look of your house a lot more. If you intend to have major roof repairs carried out it may be worth exploring PV tiles as they can offset the cost of roof tiles. You could be saving up to 1.2 tonnes of CO2 a year and hundreds of pounds off your electricity bill. Latest News Solar energy in the UK lags behind the rest of Europe To return to our solar energy home page.
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