We have solar panels on our roof that heat our water.
Now they never seemed a great financial investment but they do reduce our gas and electricity use significantly. Maybe such panels should be made much more of a standard fitting on new houses. Sometimes we have so much hot water we can't use it all - I'd love to be able to sell our hot water to our neighbours in some way - it seems silly that we have abundant hot water and they may be using fossil fuels to heat the water for their bath or shower in the house next door! It's not difficult to imagine ways of building new housing where such green technology is shared in some way. Surely the future will have more of such green technology?
So it's a shame that the firm that installed our solar panels has ceased trading - it seems that it's difficult to make money in the UK out of the green future.
Well I think this time you know all the answers Mark,more so than all the questions but thought I would comment just to let you know I have read your blog.You certainly put an amazing number of blogs on here.
Solar is the future (or at least part of it), Sooty. Unfortunately, the British government have failed to throw their weight behind bringing the costs down. Personally, if I won the Lottery and had my chance to buy or build my dream home, this is the one thing I would include in the future plans. Of course, it is much, much more expensive than installing a domestic wind turbine but much, much more likely to be accepted by the local planning authorities. And here is the bind..wind turbines are cheaper but much more controversial - solar panels are more expensive but less intrusive. Take your pick but then again, can everyday people afford either? It amazes me that we throw so much money at everyday entertainment technology and create a market that reduces the price but we are in capable of seeing the long term benefits of green energy. After all, who out there gambled on Betamax or minidisks or music cassettes...and lost?