The low-down on low carbon
Did you know that 9% of household emissions are from electricity?
Solar panels help to reduce these household emissions by converting natural light into energy. Depending on the system you choose, this process could be used to power your home’s electrical appliances.
We’ve spoken to three Southampton residents who have recently switched to solar energy.
The first said: “I’ve been making energy efficiency improvements to my home for a few years now and solar panels were the next natural step after having insulation installed. I think they’re great if you’re planning to live in your property long term.”
Another said: “I love knowing that most of the electricity in my house is run off a renewable source. I don’t have a battery with my setup so I tend to use appliances like the washing machine during the day when the panels can power them directly. It feels good to be more self-sufficient and less reliant on the grid.”
A third resident said: “Some people might think the panels need constant sunlight to work but they really don’t. As long as they get good amounts of daylight they work fine. My contractor helped me assess how much light the panels would get before I agreed to go ahead with the installation.”
Adam Goulden, Chief Executive at the Environment Centre (tEC), said: “With domestic properties being one of the biggest contributors of carbon emissions, it’s important that we all reduce our carbon footprint as much as we possibly can. Solar panels make fantastic use of a natural resource and are a great way of reducing electricity bills over the long term. We continuously monitor what funding is available to residents and we can help people find reputable contractors if they’re keen to get a quote.”
If you’re interested in having solar panels installed on your property, you can start by finding some approved contractors to arrange a quote. Please make sure your contractor is approved by the MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme).
As part of the Government’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions from properties, grants for solar panels might be available to those who meet certain eligibility criteria. Please contact us for more information by emailing enquiries@environmentcentre.com or calling 0800 804 8601.
