Solar Heating - Solar panels ''can cut energy bills''

08/02/2008

Using a renewable energy source can reduce a household electricity bill by 50 per cent, one London resident has found.

Critics of green energy solutions often suggest that solar heating cannot work in the UK's climate, but Johannes Gleede's experience proves they are wrong, reports the BBC.

Ten years ago he needed to replace the boiler in his semi-detached house and opted to take a chance on a system that included a solar thermal panel on his roof.

"I wanted to see if it worked. You have to dare to be crazy," Mr Gleede said of a change he made before environmental issues became fashionable.

And the £5,000 heating system did work, with the flat panel solar collector proving particularly effective in providing hot water and cutting energy bills substantially.

Meanwhile, Tony Juniper of Friends of the Earth has called on the government to put legislation in place requiring all new properties to generate a minimum of 50 per cent of their energy from renewable sources, reports the East Anglian Daily Times.