Should I install electric solar panels?   

Solar panels are not new. The technology has been around for a long time. As we all well aware, burning fossil fuels to create energy isn't doing the environment much good and increasingly brings us into contact with politically unstable states. And so now is the time to do your bit for your country and install solar panels to create electricity!

An electric solar panel uses photovoltaic or PV cells to transform the Sun's energy into electricity. The electricity can then power our lights and appliances. A PV panel is constructed from crystalline silicon. Photons from the sun strike the silicon and electricity is generated through the photovoltaic effect.

I can really only think of 2 reasons for installing electric solar panels. This first one is economic and the other one is environmental. Some people install them for environmental reasons. But unless you're Prince Charles or James Lovelock, most of us need a sound economic reason to enable us to make the investment. Eventually, you may find that having solar panels fitted to your home might very well increase it's value. The next owners will certainly be saving money on their electricity bills.

So, we come to some of the benefits you might enjoy if you decide to install and use electric solar panels.

1. You can lower your electric bills by around 40% even in the UK
2. Solar energy is environmentally friendly. It doesn’t discharge any pollutants such as carbon dioxide. Sleep better at night, smug in the warm glow that your contribution to the planet has afforded you
3. Theoretically, you can actually make some money from the panels by selling excess electricity back to the grid. The power companies are legally obliged to purchase this electricity at an inflated rate. Usually around 18p per KW
4. You can store extra energy in batteries and use them during rainy days or when needed
5. Solar panels, correctly installed, will last for over 30 years

Of course there are a few things to consider.

1. The solar panels are relatively heavy. You'll need to make sure that your roof is strong enough to carry their weight. It is best to consult a construction specialist for proper structural assessment of your roof
2. You need to ensure that you have a clear line of sight to the sun. i.e. no buildings, trees, or any structure will block the sunlight going to the panels. This is to capture the highest possible amount of sunlight to generate more electricity
3. Visit your local planning authority to check if you need permission to install electric solar panels
4. The cost of installing an electric solar system differs and depends largely on their size. A typical 2.2 KW solar panel system is priced at about £12,000. The cost of electric solar panel systems per KW range from £4,000 to £8,000. The costs per KW will decrease as the system size increases
5. Generally speaking, you should see a return on your investment in around 10 years

So, maybe now it's the right time to think about installing some electric solar panels.

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