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 solar panel 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 pv solar panels.

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 panels, costs can be around £5,000- £7,500 per kWp. Solar tiles cost more than conventional solar 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. However, you don't need to spend a lot developing your own residential solar energy system. You can always go the DIY route. Click here for more details.

By installing residential solar energy you could be saving up to 1.2 tonnes of CO2 a year and hundreds of pounds off your electricity bill.

Residential Solar Energy To Increase

The UK government has been widely criticised for not pushing renewable energy as much as other countries - such as Germany - to their people to encourage a mass switch to micro-sized renewable systems such as solar panels.

Germany has invested nearly £10bn in solar energy PV schemes, and Sweden has made it very attractive for consumers to install heat pumps. Other countries such as Greece and Spain are offering incentives to install solar panels.

A micro-scale solar energy revolution would depend on the government stimulating the market with rebate schemes with an attractive financial incentive. And I don't mean for a year or two. For widespread uptake of solar panels to occur in the UK, sustained policy support will be required.

A feed-in tariff scheme, which would reward people who invest in producing their own electricity via solar panels has been introduced in most European countries, especially in Germany where solar energy has really taken off.

Alternative incentives include grants to cover half of the initial costs of solar panels and their installation. If the UK government subsidised half the cost of some of the technologies, it would save 14m tonnes of carbon emissions a year, or 3% of all emissions.

A third option would be to offer discounts in the form of low-interest "soft loans" but this could lead to the life of the loan probably exceeding the life of most power units.

One other option is to build and install solar panels yourself. This would eliminate a large part of the overall cost. For more information click here.

The solar energy industry has called for clear targets which it said would lead to greater certainty for investors and lower costs for consumers.

We are currently in the process of putting together the largest solar installer network in the world, our partners offering the highest quality expertise, free quotes and help with governmental rebates. If your area is listed below then we have accredited installers waiting to take your enquiries.

Note: We currently only have the UK and Ireland set up.

Fill in the form below for a quick and reliable quote from a UK or Irish leading solar installer. Depending on your area you live in, up to 3 installers will be in touch ensuring you get the lowest price possible without compromising on quality.

Your privacy will never be compromised and your personal details will never be shared with anyone other than the installers you have asked for.

You will receive free quotes, help with grants and a low price. So start saving money now.

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