Solar panels are a great way to produce environmentally friendly renewable energy and save money at the same time. Most traditional forms of electricity generation work by burning fossil fuels such as coal and oil. These fuels are getting more expensive all the time and also emit large amounts of carbon dioxide gas, a major contributor to climate change. But there are other ways of making electricity.
The Sun is a fantastic source of energy. Its diameter is over 100 times larger than the Earths, it has been shining for 4.6 billion years already and is likely to shine for another 5 billion years. In 1 hour the Earth receives more energy from the Sun than the entire population of our planet uses in a year. Photovoltaic (PV) technology allows us to turn sunlight directly into electricity without any moving parts or emissions. The panels are completely silent, very low maintenance and most are guaranteed for 25 years or more.
The Energy Saving Trust reports that the average UK home solar installation can save 1 tonne of CO2 being emitted each year and reduce electricity bills by 40%. The feed-in tariff that was brought in last year means that solar power is now affordable to anyone, whether you want to pay for it yourself and make money or get a free installation and save on bills. By generating your own electricity you also protect yourself from future rises in electricity costs.
Additionally, when the solar panels come to the end of their life, the aluminium, glass and silicon that are used to make them are all highly recyclable, making sure that they live up to their promise of being environmentally friendly!