Solar Heating Grants Announced
Today’s government announcement regarding the new grant scheme for solar water heating is a breakthrough for all those who want cheaper heating costs and to ‘do their bit’ for global warming. Barry Johnston, managing director of Solar Twin Ltd., winners of a DTI SMART technology award for solar water heating stated:
“In our experience only 3% of householders in UK have ever considered solar water heating seriously and over 60% of them are put off by the capital costs or payback. This grant will make solar water heating a reality for more than just “deep green” thinkers, for the first time ever.The UK has obligations to cut global warming by 12% under the Kyoto (greenhouse gas) agreement and has already taken steps ahead of many other countries to meet them.
According to European Union statistics Britain has the greatest potential for solar water heating in homes. There are lots of suitable roofs in UK – because fewer people live in flats and Britain’s weather is surprisingly sunny (despite being variable!) Yet, below 60,000 households have solar heating. This figure is ten times greater in the Netherlands and Germany, where similar grants have dramatically stimulated the uptake of solar.
The most cost-effective way of using solar hot water is to use it for washing, bathing and heating swimming pools. Solartwin’s award winning design was developed for Scotland’s climate, where annual sunlight levels are 25% below those in Southern England. In the UK typically 30-70% of a home’s hot water needs can be met by Solartwin, topped up by conventional heating.
In terms of payback, investment in solar water heating, with the new grants, is now similar to investing in a high interest account. The new grant scheme will help users to cut their fuel bills AND do something for the environment, without being financially penalised.
Uniquely, with Solartwin, householders will not only save on heating fuel, such as gas, but their electricity bills won’t increase either. This is because traditional solar heating systems power their pump using electricity. Solartwin’s is powered by sunshine!
Solartwin has set up a helpline for those interested in more information on 01244 403407 and further facts are available on the web site at www.solartwin.com"
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