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Fitting solar panels. DB3977P2

I am now the proud owner of a solar water heating system. My roof is gleaming with solar collectors (panels) and I am basking in the knowledge that I am harnessing the free energy of the sun as well as doing my bit for renewable energy.

Of course, it is better when the sun is shining, to give the solar collectors the chance to do their bit and heat the water, but there is also some benefit when the sun has got its hat on. Because solar panels work alongside, not instead of, hot water and heating systems, and there are many grey and gloomy days in our English weather, you should not have to have a cold shower or bath.

We only had our panels fitted in April so have not yet established how much money we are actually saving on water heating costs, but on the government's Energy Saving Trust website, it estimates that solar water heating provides homes with about a third of hot water needs.

Time will only tell, but I think this figure is on the conservative side.

Being an optimist, I prefer to predict, and indeed hope, that it will be nearer the half-way mark at least, judging by the fact that we have been able to turn off our gas boiler completely (a new energy efficient condensing boiler that was installed at the same time).

The exciting thing is that we can actually monitor how the solar panels are performing.

Once a week, my partner Tony climbs into the loft to take meter readings. He takes two readings, one for the sensor on the roof and the other for the temperature generated in the water storage tank. It is too early to give any accurate results, but the sun is certainly radiating enough heat so far to heat the water.

I am no scientist, but my understanding of solar thermal energy is this. The solar panels on my roof collect heat from the sun's radiation, through a row of glass tubes containing a fluid, which carries the heat in a circuit. This then heats the hot water cylinder, and the hot water is stored in the cylinder to be used during the day.

There is a cloud on the horizon.

Anyone thinking of having solar panels installed should be aware that there is a huge initial financial commitment, though plenty of payback, including a vastly improved energy rating for your home if you are thinking of selling the property.

Although there is a government grant available, it is miserly, and not enough to encourage more people to invest in solar energy. The government has, though, relaxed planning laws. Homeowners can, since April 6, install solar panels and other microgeneration (turning your home into a renewable energy powerhouse) systems without the need for planning permission (unless you live in a listed building or conservation area).

Britain is currently bottom in the European Union's latest renewable energy league, with only 1.3% of energy obtained in this way, compared with Sweden's 39.8%.

We wrote to the Department for Business Enterprise & Regulatory Reform (BERR) asking why there was such a poor take-up of microgeneration and why solar panels could not be zero rated for VAT purposes, which would be a step in the right direction.

The dense reply was full of facts and figures regarding European agreements, but apparently reduced VAT for energy-saving materials is on an agenda, so that's good then!

More people need to show an interest in solar energy for the government to realise there is a real demand, and in turn, the government grants should be improved.

The BERR funded low carbon buildings programme provides the grants and information is available on their website, lowcarbonbuildings.co.uk.

Here's to a sunny summer.

12:25pm Thursday 12th June 2008

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