Tough Times Ahead: Supplement your income through Solar Energy.

By Guy Mulvaney.

George Briggs is a meticulous man. Attention to detail is deeply imbedded in his DNA. As a former audit manager in BT’s international division, nothing escapes his intense scrutiny, when it comes to cost reduction! When George reached 60 on August 2010, he took BT Plc and teacher pensions -both with gratuities. {After taking voluntary retirement at BT he went on to teach GCSE maths.}

With soaring inflation rates and poor returns due to low interest rates and ongoing energy bill hikes, he knew that the inevitability would be shrinkage of his life savings. So he turned to his natural instincts and toyed with various options with a view to reduce overheads and maximising growth.

The defining moment came when George visited the local Home Base in Tunbridge Wells, where Scottish Power was conducting a marketing promotion on solar energy. He then embarked on research of Solar Panel technology and Govt grants. The Briggs household has always been committed to the environment and re-cycling [paper, tins & bottles plus re-cycling grey shower water for the garden.] In addition the loft has been insulated; there is double glazed and cavity walls throughout the house. Louse- his daughter has been hugely influential due to her passion of environmental affairs {she was an environmental prefect when completing her A levels} and her abhorrence of wastage.

After selecting IDEAL HOME GROUP PLC in Ringwood to install the solar photovoltaic panels he signed a 25 year contract with Scottish Power {who already was his service providers for a prolonged period.}

At a cost of £15000, he has maximized every metre of rooving of his four bedroom semi-detached house with 18 x135 watt panels {2.43kw system.} DC is generated from the sun by solar photovoltaic panels. An ‘inverter’ situated in loft converts DC to
AC and cable takes AC to electricity Meter area (i.e. incoming power supply)
and panel power generation meter connected.

George cannot stop singing the praises of the IDEAL HOME GROUP. He says there was minimum disruption during the installation of the panels. Prior to installation the house was surveyed and scaffolding erected. Panel installation and connection to grid took half a day. The engineers were highly professional and always punctual. He says ‘they even brought the issue of three broken tiles to his attention which they replaced free of charge.’

For the 12 months ending 27 August 2011 2395kwh of electricity has been generated. Approximately 25% of this is used for his household consumption. The payments by Scottish Power, which are made quarterly are based on a two-tier system i.e. 41.3 pence per Kwh generated plus 3p for 50% of generated electricity assumed to be exported. This equates to an income of £1060.00 pa (Return greater than 5%pa.)
Taking in mind the government index linked increase the initial outlay should be covered in 10 years and thereafter the system could generate anything in the region of £25 000 for the remainder of the contract.  
Undeniably, people like George create a legacy; they have contributed to a greener and cleaner world by reducing their carbon footprint and will generating perpetual income for his children and grandchildren.

The installation of the panels has enhanced his property value [estimated to be possibly up to 10%]. The system is personal so can be transferred to different installation on moving or transferred on house sale to new owners. And with indefinite global energy crises: the need to invest in solar energy is compelling. Sustainable energy means reduced running costs and exemption from worrying about the ongoing nightmare of ever increasing bills.
The service provided by both Scottish Power and IDEAL HOME GROUP PLC was impeccable, stress free and with minimal disruption.