Did you know that the amount of solar energy intercepted by the earth each minute is MORE than the amount of energy that the world uses in fossil fuels each year!!(Wikipedia). There is no shortage of solar energy – EVEN in Scotland – here in the North East we get around 1000Kw hours per square metre (Scottish Solar Energy group). After everything this could provide up to 70% of your hot water needs over a year.

Photovoltaic systems have enjoyed outstanding recent popularity, largely due to the generous Feed In Tariff but also because of falling material costs. The proposed FIT reduction will see the rate for new domestic retrofit installations fall from 43.3p per kWh to 21p per kWh. This reduction will take effect on Dec 12th 2011 and will apply to systems commissioned after that date, although the Government consultation is not due to close until the end of December. The industry has been stunned by this savage cut and the rapidity of its deployment but it’s fair to say that the present rate could not be sustained. It is our genuine opinion that PV will still constitute a solid investment once the new rate is applied, and payback periods are looking set to rebound to pre-Dec 12th levels as the cost of materials continues to drop. Already we have seen prices of modules fall by as much as 50% in some cases and inverters by 20-30% with all PV materials being readily available from UK stock at this time. Returns will improve as power costs increase over the coming years and we genuinely believe that renewable technologies in receipt of Feed In Tariff income will form a new and stable investment class.

It is our aim at Solarscotia to continue delivering sound advice coupled with first class design and installation services to this developing sector for both domestic and commercial clients.