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Solar Power:
- The generation of energy from
solar panels is becoming increasingly mainstream. You can expect
a fairly lengthy payback period on your investment but you can
at least gain a return on putting electricity back into the national
grid.
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- There are two types of solar
panel in general use -photovoltaic cells generate electricity,
and solar thermal panels will give hot water. Photovoltaics now
also come as PV 'Sunslates' which are best suited for use in
conservation areas. At present the payback on installations is
in the region of thirty years but this may well change with energy
price rises and falling cost of installations. You might expect
around 100W/m2 depending on angle and orientation of the panels.
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- Installations can be free
standing, fully integrated with the roof or mounted on top of
an existing roof surface.
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- The Government provides support
for the use of renewable technologies through the Low
Carbon Buildings Programme which provide grants for microgeneration
technologies to householders, community organisations, schools,
the public and not for profit sector and private businesses.
- BP
Solar -offers a complete,
installed solar home energy system designed to work seamlessly
with your utility power supply.
- Becsolar -Photovoltaic power solutions in association
with BP Solar.
- British
Photovoltaic Association
-information on photovoltaic power and solar electricity.
- Heat
My Home -solar power
installers based in Cheshire -the website includes a couple of
useful pdf guides to solar inmstallation (look for 'downloads').
- Imagination Solar
-solar energy to provide hot water and generate electricity.
- Newform
Energy -suppliers of
a range of renewable energy systems including biomass, heat recovery
ventilation, photovoltaics, solar thermal and wind. They are
also developing a solar / hydrogen system for domestic and light
commercial applications.
- Powertech Solar
-integrated solar energy systems including the Apricus solar
hot water system (solar thermal collector) and Powertech multi
fuel thermal store.
- PV
Systems -one of Europe's
leading building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) companies with
over 400 solar electric systems already designed and installed
in domestic homes, offices and public buildings across the UK
and Europe.
- Scolar
Programme for Photovoltaics
-initiated as a response to the Government's Foresight Challenge
to develop photovoltaic (PV) technology and to raise awareness
of PV in schools and other educational establishments, both through
demonstration systems and the provision of educational material.
- SEPCO -UK provider of solar-powered lighting
systems.
- Solarbuzz -solar power portal with a wealth
of information.
- SolarCentury
-solar PV solutions business who design, install and maintain
tailor-made solar PV systems for businesses, homes, industry
and the public sector.
- Solar
Energy Society -a non-profit
organisation that acts as a forum for all those interested in
the advancement of the utilisation of the sun's energy.
- Solar Fusion
-a government accredited company, based in Dorset, specialising
in the supply and installation of solar hot water and solar electricity
systems.
- Solar
House -self catering
solar house in Dublin
- Solar
Plaza -information
about photovoltaic products, PV companies, and PV subsidy programs.
- Solarsense -established in 1994 to specialise
in solar heating systems, Solarsense has installed systems at
sites ranging from the Iona Community in Scotland and Sidcot
Quaker School, Somerset.
- Solar Trade Organisation -trade organisation for companies with interests
in the solar energy industry.
- SolarTwin -solar panel water heating systems
-available in kit form for domestic use -they do a useful pdf
guide to best practice as well.
- SolarVenti -UK distributors of Scandinavian developed
Solar Air Collectors that provide three functions -fresh air
ventilation, a powerful dehumidifying effect, and supplementary
space heating.
- Wholesale Heating
-website site featuring thousands of plumbing and heating products,
including components for solar and renewable power presented
by Corgi Registered, BPEC approved solar engineers.
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