News

450 homes in Bracknell now have solar panels

By Jennie Slevin
February 25, 2013

Eco-warriors in Bracknell Forest have reached a fantastic milestone by installing solar panels on 450 homes.

Feed-in tariffs, which offer generous payments to those generating their own energy, were introduced in 2010.

The tariff pays the homeowner for every unit of electricity made by the panels, plus dividends for any solar electricity used by National Grid.

The solar photovoltaic (PV) panels convert energy from the sun into a direct current to become electricity for household use.

Councillor Dorothy Hayes, Bracknell Forest Council’s executive member for environment, said: “Solar panels are becoming a familiar sight on the roofs of houses around Bracknell Forest.

“It is encouraging that so many local residents are investing in renewable energy and reducing their impact on the environment.”

The panels continue to generate electricity in winter, even on overcast days. Since the feed-in tariffs were introduced, the cost of solar PV panels has decreased and the monetary rewards have been adjusted, but the council believes the panels are still a very good investment.

For more information visit Your Energy Matters, 4 Charles Square, Bracknell town centre or call Hazel Hill on (01344) 352 000.

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Downsides are that retrofitted panels are in general pretty ugly and that the feed in tariffs are no where near as good as they were.

Wiztwas, Binfield
26/02/2013 at 08:25

I would LOVE to have solar panels. I’d have a wind turbine as well if I could. Alas, I live in a BFH house and so this is out of the question. I was told by a BFH colleague that they were going to do the panels on their homes but then the question of the roof maintenance came up i.e. who is then responsible for the tiles etc that lay beneath the panels. I was told because of this blip, the idea was scrapped. It’s yet another fantastic idea which is only for those who can afford it and own their own homes or rent privately from an ECO landlord. BFH are obviously not under this banner or they would have sorted this issue out long ago.