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What can I do

Do you want to take a more active interest in solar power? Whether you’re 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?

If you are installing a small-scale solar system it is possible that you will not need planning permission. However, because there are a number of instances where planning permission is required, for example in the case of listed buildings, you should always contact your local district or borough council and speak to a planner before proceeding.

How do I find an approved installer?

You can search a database of registered installers on the Clear Skies programme website at www.clear-skies.org. You can also search for a list of British Photovoltaic Association (BPA) members on the BPA website at www.pv-uk.org.uk.

Where can I find out about grants?

The main source of funding for small-scale renewable installations is the Clear Skies programme (www.clear-skies.org). People based in Scotland should contact the Scottish Community and Householder Renewables Initiative at www.est.org.uk/schri.

Government grants for solar PV systems are provided under the Major Photovoltaics Demonstration Programme, which is managed by the Energy Saving Trust. You can find out more details at www.est.co.uk/solar/.

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’ (www.solarforlondon.org) 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 (www.pv-uk.org.uk).

If you have further questions about solar energy, visit Useful links to find other organisations that can help you.