Should I install solar panels?

SOLAR energy and solar panels can save homeowners hundreds of pounds a year on their energy bills, and the best solar panels are fairly simple to understand: most solar electricity systems capture the sun's energy using photovoltaic (PV) cells, which then convert that sunlight into electricity.

Despite the fact that the UK may not be able to compete with the likes of Australia, California and Spain, when it comes to sunshine solar energy works without direct sunlight. PV cells don't need direct sunlight to produce energy – so you can still generate electricity on a cloudy day.

Research from solarenergyexperts.co.uk, a website which encourages solar panel comparison found that while nearly half of all Brits have considered installing solar panels on their property, what puts them off most is the initial outlay. True, while the initial investment in solar panel technology can seem expensive, the returns over the long-term are potentially vast.

Although the Government is likely to reduce the amount of money it pays out in subsidies to homeowners who have installed solar panels from 12th December, homeowners will still be able to get money from the Government as part of the Feed-in-Tariffs (FITs) scheme.

If you are fed up of paying what can feel like extortionate gas and electricity bills and are looking to make your property more energy efficient, installing solar panels can be a good option over the long term.

A good piece of advice is to shop around and research your options thoroughly before going ahead with an installation. The more information you have to hand, the greater the chance of making a sound money-saving move.