This I think is the way it will be in 50 years time, no one will need to buy electricity from rip off energy firms.

 

Solar powered kits have been available for a while at exclusive specialist retailers but now the mighty currys have entered the market. B&Q have already followed suit. This doesn't only save you money in the long run but saves the planet too.

 

They don't need direct sunlight like you'd think, they just need daylight. Whats the diff?? Direct sunlight is a sunny day, and daylight could be an overcast rainy day, perfect for the UK then. Government offer 30% funding too.

 

So, how long before your next tax return has your home office/small office powered by solar power?

 

It all starts here. http://www.currys.co.uk/solarpower/index.html and can only grow and grow and grow.

Just for all the science geeks out there (ie, the ones who know what "photon" and "efficiency" are)

 

Direct sunlight is about 4 times stronger than overcast sunlight, and due to various weird bits, this provides about twice as much energy - as such you need to really overshoot your needs to get a full load in winter

 

Current "cheap" solar panels such as you might get from Currys are muuuch less efficient than decent ones - cheap ones are made with older (and cheap) technology, and come in at around 10-15% efficient (eg 60Wh of sunlight gives 6 - 10 Wh power). The more expensive you go, the more efficient you can get, with the "high end consumer" panels coming in at up to 35% efficient, and the most expensive panels (for all the millionare webbies on here ) is getting close to 50% efficient.

 

The more efficient you go, the more energy you get for each square meter of your roof you make shiny, and there is only so much roof to go by.

 

And just so's you know, the wind turbines that don't require planning permission (the tiny 1m ones) generate little more than noise and annoyance.

It is the future - a friend of mine has just built a house and is going to have SP over one side of his roof - he's worked out that he will be able to sell a load of electrickery back to the grid with plenty for himself.

I went to this place a long time ago when they were pioneering the first domestic SP, its a good place to visit: Centre for Alternative Technology

I think what needs to be kept in mind with my initial post....

 

EG - 5 years ago we bought a 42" plasma screen. wooooooow everyone went as we were mad enough to spend around 5k on a tv. Now you can pick them up for £750 just 5 years later.

 

Now, if this technology is nearly within reach, Ill give it ten years before it is perfected so much that it can power your entire house even in winter for under a grand. Cant wait :] Hate elecy bills.

Hopefully one day it will become the standard to have solar panels on your roof.

 

Has anyone see the really cool solar panels in Spain I think, it looks like a obelisk of light, very cool!