An extraordinary journey towards a world enhanced by PV solar panels

A home is a box that contains our lives. Some boxes are bigger than others and some have solar panels. Imagine your box more independent from the geopolitical madness.

The most important factor with suitability for solar panels is orientation. Optimum performance of a photovoltaic system requires a South/South East or South West orientated roof space. Read the rest of this entry »

I developed Power My Home as a resource for the earliest solar adopters. We helped solar pioneers avoid the pitfalls. Solar panels have been the next ‘big thing’ for many years. The largest lesson learned in the earliest days is if you’re told:

“Our solar panels are the best in the world”, back away slowly and politely. Read the rest of this entry »

Installing photovoltaic solar panels is important today, as safe drinking water was in earlier history. In the 1920s, all drinking water began to be disinfected with chlorine. This single act of sanitation brought the rising populations that gave us the modern world.

A defining moment in time. Early cars, water-chlorination, and PV solar panels were too. The people in those old black and white films would never have understood the consequence that clean water would have on the future. Read the rest of this entry »

Solar heating panels were the most popular technology until the generation tariff. This export tariff brought PV solar panels to the forefront. The PV industry has grown to surpass its solar heating sibling. How the world changes in such a short period.

This was brought on by the North Sea oil fields peaking and the golden age of cheap energy being over. Even Margaret Thatcher recognised its limited potential and lifespan. Luckily, my resolve to continue on my solar-powered journey remained. Read the rest of this entry »

A good friend of mine phoned me about a doorstep canvasser selling solar panels. I got a complete breakdown of the conversation, and it upset me! Government handling of the incentives for solar panels allowed the shameless to take advantage. Cold calling teams urging folks into getting solar panels installed!

The price on offer was around £4,000 plus over the actual price! These sales practices were a blight on our industry between 2009-2015. Read the rest of this entry »

The UK government’s efforts to kill off the PV (photovoltaic) solar industry were unsuccessful. Deliberate cuts to support PV solar adoption were to take away power from the people. Literally, handing it back to lobbying big energy firms!

We’re finding that there were never any long-term strategies. Those cheap toasters from China came with a huge price tag! Read the rest of this entry »