What Can I Do
Do you want to take a more active interest in solar power? Whether you are thinking about installing solar panels on your property or just want to find out about solar projects in your region, this section may help answer some of the questions you might have.
How much does it cost to install a solar system?
The cost of solar technology varies according to the type of system.
- It costs very little to apply passive solar design principles when new buildings are built. Applying these principles can reduce heating bills by 20 per cent.
- The cost of a professionally installed, active solar water heating system varies, but prices start at around £2,000. However, there are some indications that the cost of active solar water heating systems is falling.
- The Average price for domestic and other small-scale solar PV systems under the Government's solar PV Major Demonstration Programme (MDP) has been £6,000 per kWp installed. An approved bolt-on 1kWp domestic system can be fully installed from approximately £3,500 including MDP grant funding.
How much power can a domestic system generate?
Currently, the cost of producing electricity in a coal-fired power station can range from 2.5p to 3.2p per kWh, nuclear power station 2.2p per kWh. At present there are no solar power stations in the UK producing electricity on a commercial basis. For users of PV systems, the cost of electricity has been calculated at around 57p/kWh for small systems (i.e. 5kWp or less) and 41p/kWh for systems of 100kWp. This is due to the high cost of the initial installation. As the market for this kind of technology expands, the cost will come down and it is estimated that by 2020, PV users will be paying about 10 - 16p per kWh.
Do I need planning permission?
The Government has recently announced that household microgeneration installations which have little or no impact beyond the host property will be permitted development (ie removing the need for specific planning consent). See the Planning Portal website for more information.
How do I find an approved installer?
The Microgeneration Certification scheme evaluates products and installers against robust criteria for each of the microgeneration technologies, providing greater protection for consumers. Search for registered installers on the Low Carbon Buildings Programme website.
Where can I find out about grants?
The Low Carbon Buildings Programme provides grants for the installation of microgeneration technologies in the UK. Public sector and charitable organisations should apply for funding through the Low Carbon Buildings Phase 2 website.
People based in Scotland can also apply for grants through the Scottish Community and Householders Initiative website.
People based in Northern Ireland can also apply for grants through the Reconnect website.
How can I find out about solar projects in my area?
There are a number of local or regional support groups, such as Solar for London and SunGain in Nottingham, which offer information and advice as well as additional grants. You can find out about these groups from your local district or borough council. The British Photovoltaic Association also has a database of UK solar PV projects -
If you have further questions about solar energy, visit useful renewables links to find other organisations that can help you.