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Until recently solar energy technology was fairly basic. But increased consumer demand for cleaner, greener energy sources has kick started a planet-wide revolution in solar energy innovation.

So what are the ins and outs of today’s state of the art solar technologies?

Getting energy from the sun is less challenging when your climate’s almost always sunny. Some scientists predict that in the near future vast arrays of solar panel networks in desert regions might deliver a large proportion of the world’s energy needs. But is solar energy a viable alternative to fossil fuels in the UK, with our weird and wonderful weather? The short answer is ’yes’. Here are the details.

How does solar energy work?

In plain language, here’s how solar energy works. All light contains energy. When it hits most objects, the light’s energy turns into heat. But when light hits some materials it’s energy turns into an electrical current instead. This is what we harness as solar power. And we use Solar Photovoltaic - PV - panels to do it.

Early solar panels used large silicon crystals, AKA quartz, which gives out an electrical current when hit by light. But because creating large silicon crystals is difficult, early solar panels were horribly expensive. Today’s technology uses smaller, more complex crystals made of less familiar stuff like copper-indium-gallium-selenide. These crystals can be moulded into flexible sheets so they’re easier and cheaper to manufacture. While they’re not quite as efficient as silicon, at least ordinary mortals can afford them!

Where do I put solar panels?

Modern solar panels don’t depend on sunshine alone. They’re sensitive enough to capture simple daylight so are much more efficient than old style panels. They still need to be fitted facing somewhere between South East and South West so they point into the sun for as much of the day as possible. The fitting angle is important too. You need a surface that slopes between 35 and 34 degrees from the horizon. And, obviously, it’s best if you’re free from obstructions. If a tree or building overshadows your panels for most of the day, they won’t deliver anywhere near as much power.

store the energy your solar panels have generated. Because of this, the low voltage electricity generated by solar power is often only used to heat water rather being stored at a higher voltage for other purposes. This means that most UK solar energy buyers use their solar panels to save money on some - but not all - of their electricity bill. All the same, standard modern solar panels can heat all of your home’s water. Plus your swimming pool if you’re lucky enough to have one!

Smaller homes and mobile homes often store electricity in batteries, a simple and relatively cheap solution. At their most basic you can pick up a suitable power inverter for as little as £10. But if you have the money to invest in a Grid Tie System you’ll potentially be able to power your entire house with solar.

A power inverter converts low voltage electricity from solar panels into high voltage mains power. The grid tie system connects you direct to the National Grid. You only tap into their electricity when you’ve run out of solar power. Get it right and you’ll find you can generate from 75% to more than 100% of your home electricity from the sun. In summer when the weather’s bright and the days are long, you can sell any spare electricity back to the National Grid.

There are plenty of power inverter and grid tie solutions on the market. In fact solar power is becoming so popular that power inversion kits are even available from B&Q. While grid tie inverters are generally one of the most expensive elements of a renewal energy generation system, prices are falling as the technology improves. Expect to pay a reputable supplier £500 upwards: try ExeTech, Fronius, Magnum Energy, SMA, Solectrica, Outback, Morningstar or Xantrex.

Bear in mind that unless you’re a qualified electrician, fitting and wiring this kind of equipment can be extremely dangerous. Leave it to the professionals. On the plus side, planning shouldn’t be an issue. Unless you live in a listed building or conservation area you shouldn’t need planning permission to go solar thermal or solar voltaic. But it’s always best to get planning consent - a different thing - in case safety issues arise. How? Get in touch with your Local Authority Building Control Office and ask for details. As a general rule the more information you can give them the happier they’ll be. Pick up a copy of the Government’s Building Regulations Explanatory Booklet, available online at www.communities.gov.uk, for sensible advice.

Where do I buy solar technology? And what about fitting it?

Solar power units and technologies are specialist stuff. Utilities company websites are a great place to start, often packed with useful information. Some offer nifty tools. One includes an online ‘Suitability Check’ to help you assess whether or not your home will actually benefit from solar hot water or solar electricity. Other online tools help you establish the cost effectiveness of solar power for your particular home and circumstances. The NPower website provides online videos explaining the ins and outs of solar energy. Utilities often make special offers on buying and fitting solar panels. If they don’t have their own experts at hand they’ll be able to recommend good quality, reliable suppliers and fitters. Best of all most utility companies have a freephone number that you can call for advice.

The Government also has a keen interest in promoting solar power for domestic use, providing a whole load of useful reference information at www.direct.gov.uk. Other organisations give free access to online Solar Calculators designed to help you price various solar power options quickly and easily. Some let you calculate how long it’ll take to win back your investment, or how much you’re likely to save. There’s even a website dedicated to comparing UK solar panel quotes: visit www.solarpanelquoter.co.uk.

What does solar power cost?

Solar panels have come down in price dramatically as public demand for cleaner, greener energy rises. There’s a good choice of options and today’s tube collection technology is moving ahead fast. The latest models have an enormous surface area and massive heat output - another good reason to seek expert help before making a decision. A lone solar panel can cost from three hundred pounds or so upwards. But, as with many things, the sky’s the limit. Some brave souls opt for a DIY solution. We’ve heard of people who have spent as little as £200 on the bits and bobs, creating their own system by hand without expert help. Other folk are happy to shell out twenty grand to a contractor to fit an all-singing, all-dancing solar power system. Some suppliers sell complete kits containing everything you need for a two, three or four bedroomed house that can be fitted in a day. The current trade price for a three bedroomed family home kit is around £1000. So, good news. You can go solar on a relatively small budget.

How much energy can I save?

Today’s state of the art solar cells are very good at capturing light energy. Used on satellites they turn an impressive 50% of the light they capture into electricity. Industrial solar power units tend to transform about 23% of the light that hits them into electricity. And domestic units, which ordinary people fit on their rooftops, convert between 15% and 18%. Which might not sound like much. But a set of bog standard PV solar panels can generate all the hot water you need. So they soon pay for themselves. After that you’re effectively getting ecologically responsible hot water for free.

Invest in power inversion and grid tie technology and you’ll be able to contribute directly to the nation’s electricity supply. And potentially turn a nice profit while you’re at it.

In a wobbly economy even a relatively small amount of self sufficiency feels pretty good. The solar energy industry is booming. And these are exciting times full of new discoveries. So watch out for developments and check for the latest before taking the plunge.