Generate cheap, green electricity from sunlight. Solar electricity systems capture the sun's energy using photovoltaic (PV) cells. The cells convert the sunlight into electricity, which can be used to run household appliances and lighting.

PV cells don't need direct sunlight to work - you can still generate some electricity on a cloudy day

How do photovoltaic (PV) cells work?

PV cells are panels you can attach to your roof or walls. Each cell is made from one or two layers of semiconducting material, usually silicon. When light shines on the cell it creates an electric field across the layers. The stronger the sunshine, the more electricity is produced.

PV cells come in a variety of shapes and colours, from grey "solar tiles" that look like roof tiles to panels and transparent cells that you can use on conservatories and glass. The strength of a PV cell is measured in kilowatt peak (kWp). That's the amount of energy the cell generates in full sunlight.

Renewable Heating Incentive

The Feed in Tariff (FiT) is already up and running and pays householders a subsidy for using Solar Photovoltaics (Solar PV) to generate electricity. This electricity is then used within your property and any excess is fed into the national grid.

The subsidy is 43.3p per kWhr and means the average 3kW system would provide an annual income of around £1,200-£1,500 pa for the next 25 years. Additionally the payments are indexed linked to the RPI and are free of income tax.

This makes them a great long term investment. Costs of a 3kW system are around £12-13,000 giving a significant long term return of between 6 and 9 %.

http://www.rhincentive.co.uk/how-to/register/

http://www.fitariffs.co.uk/eligible/