Solar panel savings add up to small fortune

May 20 2008 by Francesca Craggs, The Journal

FUEL prices have continued to rise relentlessly over the past year. Regardless of your choice in fuel, should you be lucky enough to have one, gas, oil, LPG and electric have all suffered dramatic cost increases.

Headlines today are talking of a potential 30% increase in gas prices. In January of this year, British Gas increased gas and electricity bills by an average of 15% in the face of rising wholesale prices. Price comparison website uSwitch.com said that the average household bill would rise by about 10%, or roughly £105, by late summer (2008), with a further 15%, or £173, hike in January 2009.

Month by month the situation worsens, yet the sun still offers us free energy that simply needs an investment in the technology to harvest it.

Regional renewable energy company SOL2O specialises in the installation of solar panels and tubes, air source heat pumps, ground source heat pumps, underfloor heating systems and condensing boilers. It will guarantee the right installation for your property.

A few basic facts:

Domestic Hot water heating (on average) accounts for 26% of your annual energy bill. With a SOL2O solar system you could generate enough solar energy to heat up to 70% of your hot water, free, year after year. With a 35+year life expectancy, the savings are very big and payback is reducing all of the time as energy prices increase.

Help the environment:

Heating your hot water is a major contributor to carbon emissions. Carbon pollution is causing global warming. Your SOL2O solar panel system can save as much as 1 tonne of carbon dioxide per year, depending on the fossil fuel displaced.

Its panels work on a carbon zero rating, emitting no carbon pollution and no harmful greenhouse gases whatsoever. Of course, energy was used to make the panels, but even this is recovered after only two years’ use.

About our Flat Plate Collectors

Panels are made from non-corrosive, high quality, recyclable materials. They have a 20-year warranty, and a 35+ year life expectancy. Sol2O is a member of the Solar Trade Association and products used in its installations have met the following standards and certification:

European Certification EN 12975 (Parts 1 and 2)

Solar Rating & Certification Corporation Standards

ISO 9806-1 and ISO 9806-2

Life Expectancy

Crucially, the performance of any product to provide ‘payback’ comes down to its life expectancy. A solar panel system therefore should be long-lasting and tough enough to survive extreme weather conditions.

The panels used by SOL2O have been developed to stand not only the test of time, but also extreme weather conditions. The panels have been independently certified to perform in hail, snow and ice. The panels are made of high quality materials aimed at providing a long life expectancy – maximising financial and environmental benefits.

Its solar panel systems are certified to last at least 35 years, with warranties to guarantee you performance and anti-corrosion.

Financial Payback

Sol20’s solar panel systems typically payback for themselves within four to eight years of their working life. If we suppose that the lifespan of the solar panels are 35 years, then that provides 27 years of ‘free’ energy. As fuel prices continue to rise, with the cost of oil per barrel having passed $100, your free energy will also increase in value. Add inflation and other tax rises over the year, and the savings you will be making can add up to a small fortune.

With a 20-year performance warranty, 35 year life expectancy, robust and high-performing, a SOL2O solar water heating system can be seen as a wise and safe investment.

Other financial incentives to choose Genersys solar include the potential to add value to a property. SOL2O only uses the highest quality, environmentally- friendly products in the construction of its solar panel systems, and has many years’ experience and procedures in place to ensure its solar installations are perfectly integrated into your home.

The SOL2O customer offer

The company will guarantee to save you a minimum of £1,000 off the cost of any like for like quotation from any leading national solar installation company. Tel: 0800 280-0020.