Solar power alternative houshold gadgets

[Cockney_si]

Has anyone out there installed any solar powered shed lights/ alternative power supplies or anything that would reduce the electricity bills?

Many thanks for any inspiration.

[beryllium]

Hi Cockney :-)
We have Solar power for our hot water and running 1-2 rads in winter. Our water temp today is 55.So very hot lol....

If you are serious about running electricity aswell as water heat, then look into photovoltaic energy.

You must have your house insulated, and your roof. You must also have energy efficient lightbulbs, and other sensible energy saving bits like double glazing.....

Photovoltaic will cost approx �12000.00 of which you will get back �6000.00 from the government. And yep!!! they keep that very quiet.
Any excess energy you make if you do have Photovoltaic? you can sell back to your nearest electricity company :-)

So, in a nutshell? if your looking for new heating? dont go the gas man route... go au naturel :-)

[Andy_G]

Hi,

I'm a building services designer/consultant. I've been getting more and more involved with renewable energy sources in the construction industry.

At the moment the only worth while home renewable technology is solar hot water collectors (like Beryllium suggests)

The technology behind the collectors has advance quite a bit over recent years. The tube type being the most efficient.

Actual solar panels (photovoltaic panels) generating electricity is really not worth while in the UK. The efficiency of solar panels is poor (and that�s on a sunny day). The cost is high and would take a long time to get your money back, if at all.

The best course of action is to insulate your home and use energy efficient fittings. New building regulation (part L1 compliant) double glazing will help, as well as unplugging phone chargers etc. Simple things like turning your TV off standby will save you more money and energy than installing photovoltaic panels.

Hope this helps.

[Theoldsilver]

Re photovoltiac Solar Panels. I have a large one for my caravan and it is VERY efficient at charging a leisure battery and, via an invertor, will run a TV for hours!