The media has been full of talk about global warming, and the death of fossil fuels, for some time now. However, the average UK homeowner hasn’t quite embraced alternative energy in the same way that some other countries have.
Down under, approximately 1,000 rooftop solar systems are being installed almost every day in Australia. Whereas in the UK, there are only a total of 970,000 homes with solar panels installed. Less than 1 million homes have decided to use solar power even after decades of promotions and government subsidies.
Why is this, and are there good reasons to start using solar power, or should you carry on regardless with gas and other fossil fuels? This guide to solar panels and other forms of alternative energy may answer some of your questions.
Could solar power provide enough electricity for the whole world?
Some countries such as China, India, and the US, have huge solar farms that provide massive amounts of energy.
In the US alone, there is enough solar energy produced to power around 18 million homes. To power, the entire world would clearly need something incredible.
Estimates differ, but one study by Axion Power came up with some answers. They believe that it would take around 51 billion solar panels to provide enough electricity to power the entire world. This sounds completely unfeasible, and when you look at the land required for a solar farm of that magnitude it sounds downright impossible. Or is it?
To make a solar farm capable of holding over 50 billion panels would take something in the region of 115,000 square miles. A huge area you will agree. But, when you consider that the state of New Mexico is 121,000 square miles, suddenly the idea doesn’t seem so impossible.
There are vast swathes of unused land across the world that receive huge amounts of sunlight.
Are there subsidies available for installing solar panels?
Unfortunately, the previous subsidies and interest-free loans that the government provided have all come to an end.
As part of the Green Deal, the UK government gave grants and assistance to those who were interested in installing solar panels. The Feed-in-Tariff came later but this also finished a few years ago.
Nevertheless, it isn’t all bad news for anyone wanting to install solar panels today. There has been another scheme in place since 2020 called the Smart Export Guarantee.
This scheme was designed to let solar panel owners make money from their excess energy. Sometimes solar panels build up more power than homeowners require, and this can then be fed back into the grid. Although the idea of selling electricity to utility suppliers seems odd to some, it is a very real way to reduce energy bills and receive credit at the same time.
Will solar panels save you money?
Probably the most commonly asked question when it comes to any type of sustainable energy source. Will it save money compared to other utility bills?
Installing solar panels is not a cheap option. It is said that the average rooftop installation would cost around £6,000. Experts say that the likely savings per year from using solar panels are anywhere from less than £100 to just under £300. These are average savings and will not reflect everyone’s energy usage.
So, looking at these figures, it would appear that it would take years to make any return on your investment. However, the average time to recoup a solar panel installation is said to be about 8-9 years. As solar panels can last for up to 30 years, you will definitely make money from your investment after some time.
One real-life example was seen just recently when solar panels raised thousands for local community projects in Lymm. Although there is an initial investment, solar panels can save you money in the long term.
Can solar panels work during power outages?
Something that you may have wondered when struck by a power cut. How do solar panels perform during power outages?
Well, you may be surprised at the answer. If you have an on-grid solar panel system then you will suffer the same power cuts as anyone else. This seems strangely unfair as you aren’t relying on the grid to provide all your electricity unlike the majority of other people.
Only last November, many villagers in Croft, Warrington, had to spend several nights without heat or light after Storm Arwen tore through. If they had solar panels installed, in a specific way, they would have been able to heat their homes and light them too.
While on-grid solar systems will certainly suffer the same issues as regular electrical supplies if there is a power outage, an off-grid system is different. Off-grid solar systems are designed to be completely independent, and store electricity in batteries. This means that if there was a power outage, you would be able to keep on heating your home and using appliances without any problem.
However, most solar installations are designed to reduce energy costs, and not to work as a complete replacement for electricity.
How can you use solar power around the home?
Solar power is being more commonly used than perhaps you may think. Manufacturers are designing all-manner of products that use solar power. Perhaps the most common use is for outdoor lighting, be that for security or in the garden.
Yet, it is possible to use solar power in far more inventive ways than just for illumination. Camping showers, wristwatches, flashlights, and vehicles are being run through the use of solar power.
Is alternative energy a necessity?
According to a report from Stanford University, oil could run out in just 30 years at the current rate of consumption. Gas and coal are expected to last longer, but all fossil fuels are in decline.
Not only are fossil fuels running out, but the world’s consumption of them has grown. Predictions for the end of fossil fuels are difficult to nail down as there are likely to be more reserves found, but the consumption of them keeps increasing.
This means it is critical that sustainable energy becomes a normality, instead of an alternative.
What are the other more sustainable energy sources today?
Hydro, wind, and solar, are the three most sustainable sources of energy now. Wind farms are becoming increasingly common, and hydro dams have appeared in many parts of Southeast Asia, especially on the Mekong.
Solar is perhaps the most common alternative energy source when it comes to residential, and commercial buildings. Even if solar panel installations seem to be a step further than you wish to go, just employing solar power in the garden can help reduce emissions and energy bills.
Summary
The UK is lagging behind some other countries when it comes to full solar panel installations, but the energy source is being used in many other ways. If you look around your local area you may be surprised at how many small solar panels you see. Security cameras, street lights, and residential homes are often using solar power.
While the government is no longer giving grants to help purchase solar panels, there are still advantages to installing them. If you want to help the planet, and your bank balance, then looking at alternative energy may be a viable choice.
