21 June 2007
Research from energy supplier npower has revealed that despite the recent environmental push from eco-charities, the government and a number of gas and electricity suppliers, just 4.5% of consumers are considering using solar panels.
Just 0.13 % of Brits currently own solar panels, with 60% of "wannabe greenies" worried that the cost is of installing solar would be too great. Another 11% feel that the UK isn't "sunny" enough to make solar panels a practical energy solution and 6% simply don't believe that they work.
To try and dispel some of these myths, npower is offering its first completely integrated solar service, which offers customers everything from solar energy information through to installation and electricity generation.
The energy supplier's solar energy service - solar PV - could save consumers money as well as boosting their green credentials, since its installation could save customers up to 40% on their bills and there's an option to sell back any excess energy generated by the panels.
Robert Harper, Environment and Renewables Manager at npower, said that now was the time to learn about sustainable energy, since traditional supplies were running out and global warming was starting to take effect.
He continued: "npower's solar PV offering will make it easy for homeowners to sign-up and manage their solar journey from installation through to generating their own power. If a customer generates more power than they need, the green eco-friendly electricity will go back into the grid and npower will buy it back for the same price as you'd buy it for."