"Whatever you do will
be insignificant
it is very important
that you do it."

The main principle of converting to the use of Photovoltaic solar power is to lower the amount of greenhouse gas emissions which you are causing through energy usage.

Other steps you can take

Before installing a solar PV system on your property you should make sure you have taken other actions to minimise your CO2 foot print, lower your energy consumption and cut your fuel bills.

Some of the following steps are not just recommendations but are actually prerequisites if you wish to be eligible for the substantial government grant which is available for PV installations.

  1. Insulation: loft - cavity - pipe - boiler
  2. Draught-proofing
  3. Double glazing
  4. Install energy saving light bulbs
  5. Buy energy efficient white goods
  6. Do not leave appliances on standby
  7. Put no more water in the kettle than you are going to drink
  8. Wash your clothes at a lower temperature
  9. Make sure your thermostat is set to a sensible temperature
  10. Sign up with imeasure
  11. Turn off lights when you are not in a room
  12. Buy an energy monitor
  13. Switch to a renewable energy provider.

To switch immediately, visit Good Energy

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Reasons why we should be saving energy

  1. Global warming
    • will be responsible for the deaths of millions.
    • it will be the poor who suffer first and most severely (please visit Solar Aid for more information)
    • will be responsible for the extinction of many species.
    • the cost of the effects of global warming will be significantly higher than the costs of prevention.
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  2. Pollution
    • pollution caused by the burning of fossil fuels is responsible for many common health problems.
    • pollution damages the environment and threatens other species.
  3. Saving money
    • At current fossil fuel prices Solar energy systems have a very long payback period. But as fossil fuel prices rise (more than 10% year on year for the last five years) and as the damage caused by greenhouse gas emissions is included into fossil fuel prices, PV systems will prove themselves to have been effective investments.
    • The government have said they are going to remove stamp duty on carbon neutral homes.
    • According to the Energy Saving Trust a photovoltaic system will increase the value of your home.
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  4. Depleting resources
    • The UK’s north sea gas supplies are already running out.
    • Searching for new fossil fuel sources is one of the reasons our rainforests are being mown down.
    • We need to prepare ourselves for when during our lives or the lives of our children all fossil fuels will run out.

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Further Reading

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Positive press for solar energy

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Thanks to Kate Evans and Myriad Editions publishing for the cartoon illustrations. www.cartoonkate.co.uk copyright Kate Evans. Publisher Myriad Editions.