Photovoltaics
Solar Photovoltaic panels (Solar PV) not only provide you with free electricity from the sun but can also generate an income through the Clean Energy Cashback Scheme.
A Solar PV system utilises free energy from the sun to generate
electricity. The electricity produced can be used to power anything
from an appliance to a lightbulb that is usually powered by the mains
electrical supply. Any electricity produced that is not used is
exported to the grid; any shortfall is also made up from the grid.Under the Clean Energy Cashback Scheme (or Feed-in Tariff), energy suppliers have to pay households or communities to generate electricity from renewable sources. This even includes energy you use yourself, as well as an additional payment for any excess electricity exported to the grid. For a system installed on an existing dwelling the cashback is 41.3p per kWh produced with an extra 3p per kWh if you export the electricity. On top of this you will save whatever you normally pay your electricity company for the electricity consumed.
A typical system for a three bedroomed house is 2-3kW, which should produce around 2000-3000 kWh per year. You will typically need around 8m² of roof space per kW installed. This could be enough to meet all your electricty needs, but the return on investment from any size system makes Solar PV a very attractive idea.Energy-saving installations attract a reduced rate of VAT at 5%.
