Solar Power At Home

Image of Solar Panels Up Close

If you'd like solar power on your house at home there are a few things you need to do:

ONE - Check that your parents are using energy efficiently in order to reduce the amount of solar energy (and the cost of the system) that you need.

TWO - If you've done as much energy saving as you can, next you need to check out the roof:
Use a compass to work out if part of your roof faces south (or at least more south than north).
Solar power systems work best if they are facing directly south.

THREE - Check to see if any other buildings (or tall trees) shade the selected area of roof.
Really, you don't want anything to shade your solar panels because then they wont make as much energy.

FOUR - Check if there is anything in the way of fitting solar panels to the selected roof area (like a chimney, or other things that poke through the roof) A big open area is best.

FIVE - Measure the roof area you have selected. You can do this by measuring along the ground in line with the roof and multiplying the 'length' and 'width' measurements together to get an area in square meters.

If the roof area faces south (ish!) AND is un-shaded AND is larger than 10 square meters, without anything in the way, you're looking good for going solar.

SIX - Now comes the tuff bit. You'll need to persuade your parents to spend some money. Not a lot, since there are grants for solar electric systems which could halve the cost (point them at the Energy Saving Trust for more about this). You should point out that solar energy will lower the electricity bills and add value to your home. Overall, they might need to spend about £4000, but they'll be doing their bit to combat global warming and protect the world for your future.

SEVEN - If your parents sound like they might be interested in solar energy point them to Solarcentury, the UK's leading solar energy company, where they can apply for a solar on-line by filling in one simple form (your investigations of the roof will help them fill the form in).

Solarcentury's installers will come and fit your solar energy system in as little as one day and you'll be minimising your carbon dioxide emissions and saving money straight away!

The application form at Solarcentury

Good luck!
The Solar4Schools Team