Published on Friday, Aug 12 2011 by John Woods
A new community project is to see 500 households in Bridgend being given the chance to have solar panels installed for free.
As part of a community project in the Vale of Glamorgan, the scheme aims to tackle fuel poverty while also lowering the environmental impact of properties in the area. In fact, around 3,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide is predicted to be saved each year if everyone takes up the offer.
But the installation will also deliver substantial cost savings on energy bills and the chance to earn money back through the government's Feed-in Tariff should also help financially.
The First Minister of Wales Carwyn Jones praised the plans as “innovative thinking”, welcoming the plan's dual benefits.
However, energy specialist Lindsey Kearton told the BBC that residents need to “go into these deals with their eyes open”. "These long-term contracts need to be considered carefully. Asking the right questions and getting legal advice could help customers avoid the potential pitfalls of these schemes," she explained.
Solar panels last for around 25 years, with their capacity to generate electricity starting to wane after this point. However, some keep going until around 40 years after their initial installation.
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