World-Wide Benefits of Solar Energy

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Recent investigations have established the advantages of solar energy on a much larger scale in addition to the numerous benefits it has for the average homeowner.

Renewable energy is looking to overtake tourism as a large form of income for the agricultural sector. Due to an increase in the use of solar panels and wind turbines, farmers are experiencing a boost in profits whilst also contributing to a lower-carbon economy. It is believed that one in six farmers will have solar systems fitted within the next few months, as the rewards become more apparent. With a UK target of increasing the amount of renewable energy produced to 15% by 2020, well established companies such as Natwest are backing the strategy and helping provide funding for farmers. Gaining planning permission is a barrier that a few have faced; however farmers with access to land and grid connections are being encouraged to pursue the solar industry and start reaping the rewards as soon as possible

Non- profit organisations are currently exploring ways to use solar energy as a way of improving the lives of unprivileged people. A small town in India, previously using harmful kerosene lamps which had to be fetched from sources several hours away, have now had their lives transformed with the use of solarised equipment.  98% of this town has now been converted with help from the government and loans from banks that support the idea of making a difference. Providing homes with solar panels to power even a small amount of electricity enables the biggest of differences such as enabling homeowners to work longer into the night in order to generate more money. As more than 300 million people are still lacking electricity in India, and the climate being ideal as a generator for solar energy, the idea is being seen as a positive change that should be adopted further.

The ever growing benefits of solar energy are clearly being spread and utilised further over time and are sure to bring new life to many.

Preparing Your Home for Solar Panel Installation

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There are various elements you need to consider before purchasing and fitting your Solar Panel. Here at Solar Choice we aim to give you a list of these in order to provide you with the best and safest ways to prepare for installation.

When?

Homeowners are more likely to save money preparing the fitting of the solar panels in the initial build or renovation of the house. It is much easier to incorporate solar ready conduits during the build however; it is still very achievable afterwards with the right help and direction.

Who?

Always utilise the services of trained professionals. Work with licensed electricians and your local utility to ensure optimum safety and that your solar panel is fitted correctly in order to gain maximum benefits.

Where?

It is somewhat obvious to the positioning of your solar panel, as you need to find a position where direct sunlight is as constant as possible in order for it to work. Ensure you choose an area of the roof that isn’t prone to shade to gain maximum benefit. There are solar professionals who can determine the best spot by determining what time of day and which season shading will occur at a particular chosen site. The solar panel should not be shaded between 9am-3pm, at a minimum all year round to produce ideal results.

How?

The size and style of your panel are various decisions you will have to make before even thinking about the process of fitting. Selecting equipment and specific solar panelling should be researched well and discussed with your local utility so they can recommend an appropriate system ideal for the area in which you live.

Top Tips to Save on Your Household Bills

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Saving money is a given strategy we’re sure every homeowner wishes to be successful at. Here at Solar Choice we have devised some top tips which are simple enough to integrate into your daily routine and are guaranteed to reduce costs as well as waste around the household.

The smallest of changes can make a positive difference to your incoming bills if continued to be implemented on a regular basis. Decreasing your thermostat by just a few degrees for instance can reduce your heating bills in excess of 10% each year. Programming you’re heating to turn off at unnecessary intervals such as when your family is out of the house or sleeping is also another way to accomplish this advantage. Closing doors and curtains will ensure that any heat generated is kept within a room and sitting together as a family will also help create more warmth that may be lost by the slight change in temperature.

Appliances in each room should be switched off completely when not in use rather than put on standby. Monitor electrical devices that are being left on charge such as mobile phones or laptops as to not waste electricity once the batteries are full. Turn off any lights in rooms that aren’t being occupied and ideally replace high wattage fittings with energy saving bulbs designed specifically to reduce the amount of electricity used.

Water is a main priority when aiming to reduce costs around the home as it can be wasted at an alarming rate during the most common of household chores. Ensure all the taps in your home are fixed efficiently as to diminish the chance of any unnoticed waste in the case of small leaks or even dripping water. Don’t leave them running whilst preventable and also employ this same theory whilst showering. Aim to only utilise equipment such as the dishwasher, washing machine and tumble dryer when able to fully load to reduce the amount of overall times they’re used. The kettle is also another common element to consider when aiming to save money. Try not to over fill and waste water that is not going to be used.

Employing these straightforward adjustments can considerably reduce the average cost of living and you are sure to notice the difference as soon as they are put into action. Creating a more eco friendly environment by cutting down on waste is also an encouraging benefit and unquestionable reason to start making these changes today!

Reducing the Costs of your Working Life Whilst Going Green

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Many people attempt to go green in their home life; whether they try to recycle more or reduce the amount of food they waste, going green in the home is a popular lifestyle change to make. Although being more eco-friendly in the home is a huge step forward, for many people these practices are left as soon as they leave their humble abode. The truth is, going green and saving money go hand-in-hand, as you minimise waste you reduce outgoings as well as minimising your carbon footprint.

Although going to work provides you with your primary source of income it can also be a place of excessive expenditure and waste. If you find that your income isn’t as high as it should be it could be time to tighten your belt in your working life, as well as your home life.

Commuting

Commuting is arguably one of the most expensive aspects of working life. With petrol costs, car insurance and parking permits, getting to and from work can be more costly than you ever anticipated. Cars are also notorious for contributing to global warming and climate change due to their CO2 emissions.

Car sharing is one of the most effective methods of reducing your fuel costs and carbon footprint. Car share with colleagues who live nearby, alternate “designated driver” days so you have a fair rota and you should see a huge reduction in your fuel costs. In addition to the financial benefits, car sharing can also reduce carbon emissions and traffic congestion due to fewer cars being on the road.

Green cars can also help to reduce fuel costs as renewable energy resources supplement the fuel tank, meaning fewer trips to the petrol station! Although electric cars aren’t the most popular type of automobile they are zero emission vehicles, making them very eco-friendly and definitely worth considering.

Eating

On-the-go lunches are another common culprit for eating up your weekday allowance. If you work in a built-up area or city centre you’re surrounded by convenience food options and eateries advertising cheap lunchtime deals. Although these can be a pleasant treat on occasion, dining out every day or even buying ready-made sandwiches can really take a bite out of your finances.

Preparing your lunch at home and taking it to work can really save you money, if you make something tasty you probably won’t want the greasy canteen food anyway! Try to use any spare meat or vegetables and incorporate them into a meal to take to work – that reduces your food waste and saves you money!

Before Leaving for Work

Another money eater is leaving electrical appliances plugged in and switched on throughout the day whilst the house is unoccupied. Not only is this severely wasteful, some appliances carry the risk of catching fire if left on and unattended. In particular, always unplug appliances which operate at a high temperature such as irons and hair straighteners.

7 Simple Tips to Reduce your Christmas Waste

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Here at Solar Choice, we’re incredibly excited for Christmas and New Year! We’re always thinking of ways to reduce waste though, and the festive period is renowned for being a time of excessive waste. If you want to do your bit for the environment whilst taking part in the festive fun then here are 7 simple tips that can help you to reduce your levels of waste but not your fun!

1.Freeze your seasonal vegetable leftovers or turn them into a winter vegetable soup.

2. Recycle as much wrapping paper as possible, use minimal sticky tape as this makes the recycling process harder. You can even purchase recycled gift wrap if you’re worried about deforestation.

3. Turn off your Christmas lights as well as regular lights when you leave the room.

4. Car share with others who live nearby when attending a party to reduce carbon emissions (plus if you don’t have to drive you get to have a drink!)

5. Recycle your abundance of empty beer, wine and spirit bottles. The emptying of the bins may be disrupted over the festive period; bottles of alcohol may cause your regular bin to overflow so use the recycling one provided by your local council.

6. Layer up with those festive jumpers your grandparents insist on buying you, if they’re good for nothing else they’ll allow you to turn your thermostat down and save on energy bills!

7. Make a New Year’s resolution to be more eco-friendly in 2012. You could even start here at Solar Choice by investing in some solar panels.

sprig of holly

Have a merry, green Christmas and a fantastic New Year from all the Solar Choice team!

Advantages of Solar Energy

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Solar panels are an incredibly popular renewable energy resource in the UK, as an increasing number of both homes and businesses reap the environmental and financial benefits solar power provides. The rise of energy bills and the increasing concern over the effects of global warming have caused a surge in popularity for renewable energy resources to be manufactured and improved. Nowadays, the advantages of solar energy being used to power the home are common knowledge and solar panels can be sighted on many buildings across the world.

Environmental Benefits

Solar energy efficiency is highly commended, as government initiatives encourage solar panels to be used for powering domestic and commercial premises.

Renewable energy resources, such as solar panels, rely on naturally occurring and renewable sources to obtain energy from as an alternative to fossil fuels. Fossil fuels are limited resources, they don’t naturally replenish and once their supply expires there will be no more. Solar panels however, use energy from the Sun, which is an infinite resource, to generate electricity. Using renewable energy resources such as sunlight, helps to minimise the use of fossil fuels and preserve them for longer.

Burning fossil fuels is incredibly harmful to the environment. As they burn they release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, which is one of the main contributors towards global warming and climate change. Combustion isn’t required in order for sunlight to be used as an energy source, so it’s a clean way of powering homes and buildings. Buildings which have solar panels installed boast minimal carbon emissions and a low carbon footprint.

Financial Benefits

One of the other main advantages of solar energy is that solar panels are an attractive financial investment to both business and homeowners alike. The concept of generating free electricity to be used at will is hard to resist. Government initiatives such as the feed in tariff have made the advantages of solar energy even more apparent for business and homeowners.

The feed in tariff financially rewards home and business owner each time a kilowatt hour of energy is produced using the solar panels. A small addition is made for when electricity is produced and not used and is, therefore fed back into the national grid. The combination of free electricity and the feed in tariff mean that solar panels are an attractive concept for those willing to invest.

Solar panels’ financial and environmental benefits have made solar energy a widely used resource of power. Solar cells have evolved tremendously from their most famous appearance at the top of a calculator. Their advantages have been recognised worldwide and are now even used as a supplement for fuel in hybrid cars.

Solar Panel Facts

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Solar panels have become increasingly popular over the past decade as government initiatives have emerged to encourage a reduction in carbon emissions, which are contributing significantly to global warming. As solar panels have become a more popular topic of conversation, it’s become harder to distinguish between solar panel facts and solar panel rumours.

solar panel facts

Solar Panels Only Work when it’s Sunny

FALSE. This is one of the most questioned solar panel facts, as myths continually circulate claiming that solar panels are inoperable on a cloudy day. This is simply not true as solar panels have the ability to generate electricity as long as some daylight’s present. Solar panels however, do perform more effectively on sunnier days but they still have the ability to generate electricity in foggy conditions, with some homeowners even reporting slight activity during sunset.

Solar Panels are a Substitute for Conventional Energy Methods

FALSE. Solar panels can’t be used as a home’s only source of electricity due to their dependency on sunlight. Generally, the home is still connected to the National Grid, which supplements the solar panels when extra power is required. This is one of the main perks of solar panel installation, as your home’s reliance on the national grid is minimised, thus reducing your energy bills.

The Electricity I Generate from my Solar Panels will be Free

TRUE. Any electricity generated through solar PV panels is completely power for your home! The Sun is an infinite, free energy resource and a clean method of powering the home. The government encourages the use of renewable energy resources and sustainable homes so the feed-in tariff rewards homeowners for generating electricity using renewable methods.

Solar Panels Ruin the Appearance of my Home

FALSE. Although this is personal opinion based rather than fact, solar panels are designed to mimic the appearance of skylights. In addition to their sleek design, they can also add value to your home as sustainable homes are more sought after. The installation process is typically rather smooth, with little disruption to the rest of your home.

Solar Panels Require Minimal Maintenance

TRUE. Solar panels don’t generally require maintenance as they don’t have any moving parts or mechanisms which could break. Solar Choice do offer a warranty scheme though, immediately following installation, for peace of mind.

Solar panels are a highly recommended renewable energy source for homes and businesses alike. With their ability to drastically reduce energy bills whilst helping the environment, they’re a home improvement option definitely worth considering. If you’re undecided on whether to opt for solar panels, contact Solar Choice who can help you to decide whether solar panels are for you.

What Are Solar Panels?

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solar panels

Solar panels are a renewable energy resource which can be used to produce electricity for use within commercial and residential buildings. Solar panels consist of a collection of connected photovoltaic cells which convert Sunlight into electricity. When multiple solar panels are connected they can provide enough electricity to power buildings (one single solar panel isn’t a sufficient power source for modern day requirements).

Solar PV panels have become incredibly popular due to their environmental and financial benefits for home and business owners alike. Government incentives have made solar panels a feasible prospect for many homeowners and offer an excellent ROI. So what are solar panels and how do they work?

How Do Solar panels Work?

The photovoltaic cells, which solar panels consist of, use the Sun’s rays to generate electricity though the photovoltaic effect. The stronger the Sunlight, the more electricity the cells generate. The collection of multiple solar panels provides enough electricity to power a building.

Solar panels are supplemented by the national grid, when Sunlight is minimal the building then uses energy from the national grid and when excess energy is produced by the panels it’s fed back into the national grid.

What are Solar Panels Good For?

The financial benefits of solar panels are one of the main reasons they’re so attractive to home and business owners.

The Feed in Tariff is used to reward owners of solar panels for producing clean, renewable energy. For every Kilowatt hour of energy produced the owner is rewarded a set amount (depending on the Feed in Tariff at the time of installation). Currently, a reward of 43.3 pence per Kilowatt hour of energy produced and used. The owner’s also rewarded for energy they produce but do not use and is pumped back into the national grid, this rate currently stands at aproximately 46.4 pence per Kilowatt hour. In addition to the Feed in Tariff, the owner produces free electricity which means they will see a drastic reduction in energy bills.

There are also incredible environmental benefits from having solar panels. They produce energy from a renewable resource as opposed to fossil fuels. The burning of fossil fuels has significantly contributed to climate change and global warming, due to them damaging the o-zone layer. Solar panels use a completely clean energy resource and therefore, significantly reduce the building’s carbon footprint on which they’re installed. As part of the government’s plans for a greener Britain they introduced the Feed in Tariff to make solar panels are more attractive prospect for homeowners and businesses to invest in.

Solar panels have dramatically increased in popularity over the years and are now an option many home and business owners should consider. Aside from their environmental benefits, they’re a sleeping asset and source of free electricity – two aspects which are hard to refuse.