Solar power is a fast growing industry and there are plenty of reasons for considering it as an alternative method of powering the home, not least of which is the potential reduction in CO2 and other harmful emissions that currently come from your house. That said, is it an economically viable option for the regular house owner or is it just a waste of good money?

Unfortunately the debate is still raging and although plenty of companies in the UK say that it is a viable option there are equally as many sceptics. The price of solar panels varies greatly depending on the size you want, the type of output you want and the energy you expect them to produce. Simple solar panels convert the sun’s energy directly into heat and this is harnessed to produce hot water within the home. Photovoltaic tiles on the other hand convert the sun’s energy into electricity which can then be used to power lights and other appliances. Solar panels are understandably cheaper than the photovoltaic tiles however they only help you to save on your hot water bill and not on your electricity bill. Saying that, they will both save you some money in the long run, plus they will help to reduce your household’s carbon footprint.

So how much money can solar power save you?

Again there is no definitive answer and the amount you save depends on the number of panels you have, the size of the panels and the amount of sun your roof gets. Ariston report that their solar thermal system can save you up to 50% on your energy bills however at over £5000 to install it will take quite a while to recoup the investment. Other manufacturers and installers say that solar power can provide around half of your domestic power needs which again would indicate a saving of 50% however you have to have a top of the range system and a good geographical location to really achieve this maximum.

Is it an economically viable option?

Generally speaking, solar power systems will save you money on your heating and electricity bills however the price of installation means that you may not see the savings for a good number of years. If you intend to stay in your home for eternity then paying out for a quality system will make economical sense in the long run but if you think you may move at some point in the future then it would probably be a mistake. There are a variety of grants available that help to cover the cost of installation however they only tend to cover specific solar power systems when installed by specific registered installers – and this can work out to be more expensive than choosing a different company and not receiving the grant! My advice is to do your homework and ask plenty of questions regarding the system you’re interested in to see if it will save you a decent amount of money in the future.

Guest Article by Clare Lynock