News Article
Solar Surge Effect
A Barnsley solar panel installer says the increase in money paid to householders for the electricity they generate has led to an increase in business.
From the beginning of April the amount paid for electricity generated by photo-voltaic cells has gone up by 2p per unit under the Government's Feed in Tariff (FIT) scheme and at the same time the cost of solar panels has come down. The Government is expected to reduce the amount payable under the FIT scheme next April and experts predict this year will be a boom year for solar power.
Philip Mosley, owner of Norcroft Electrical in Hoylandswaine, said savvy householders were definitely cashing in. “Solar panels have come down in price by five per cent since the start of the year because of increased competition in the market and the increase in the amount paid for electricity means installing panels now will save you more than extra £1500 over the lifetime of the FITs,” said Philip. “Some people have realised now is the time to buy and the phone hasn't stopped ringing with inquiries.”
Norcroft Electrical was set up over ten years ago to carry out domestic and commercial electrical installations. In 2006 the family-run business started fitting solar panels. The business has grown year on year, doubling the turnover in the last year alone - and now the increased demand for solar panels has led to an even busier time for the firm. Philip said his small team have been struggling to keep up with demand.
“At this rate I will have to take more people on, but that's no bad thing in the middle of a recession,” said Philip.
Around 30,000 householders have solar panels fitted across the UK, with about 3,500 fitted in the Yorkshire and Humber region alone last year, that's enough to power 20,000 light bulbs.
