Solar Hot Spots Revealed

Britain’s Top Ten cities and towns with the highest concentration of homes powered by solar panels has been revealed. TV weatherman John Kettley is in the market town of Fareham today, which tops the list, to announce the UK’s Top Ten Solar Hot Spots, and demonstrate the many benefits of solar power – not only in terms of cost-saving but also for the environment.

“The Top Ten Solar List is a guide to the Solar Hot Spots in the UK to help raise awareness of the options available to homeowners across the country who have the right roof for solar. Homeowners with a large unshaded south facing roof are able reduce their electricity bill by a third, whilst also increasing the value of their home and reducing their carbon footprint,” John Kettley explained.

HomeSun has calculated that approximately two million homes in the UK have roods of the right size and orientation to make solar power viable. And it’s not just the environment that will benefit.

“If all the homes in the UK that could have solar installed panels, that would produce a massive 5 billion KWH per year, the equivalent to boiling 2.5 billion kettles for an hour, and potentially saving a third on each home’s electricity use,” Kettley added. 

The amount of energy generated by solar panels is determined not by temperature but by sunlight; also called insolation. With more sunlight hours than any other day of the year, the 21^st June will be especially lucrative for those with solar.

Eric Fisher a HomeSun customer whose solar panels are being installed in Fareham today, explained: “With energy prices set to rise we have been looking at options to help control costs. Following a lot of research we were very impressed with the costs savings, as well as the environmental benefits, of solar power. It’s great that companies like HomeSun are able to give people the chance to enjoy the benefits of solar panels on their roofs for free”.

Today, on the longest day of the year, HomeSun is installing solar panels on 18 homes across the country, which will help not only the environment, but significantly cut their energy bills as well.

CEO of HomeSun, Daniel Green, said: “HomeSun is making it easy for homeowners to generate solar power. It’s simple to install, with no additional financial commitments, and can help consumers save as much as £300 on electricity bills. With recent warnings that energy prices are set to rise, now is a good time to think about saving energy.”  

*The Top Ten Solar Towns (According to HomeSun completed installation figures)

1. Fareham

2. Plymouth

3. Waterlooville

4. East Cowes

5. St. Austell

6. Exeter

7. Ipswich

8. Sandown

9. Barnstaple

10. Bournemouth

 

Top Regions in the UK (According to OFGEM installation figures)

1. South East
2. South West
3. East of England
4. Yorkshire and the Humber
5. East Midlands
6. West Midlands
7. North West
8. London
9. North East

**OFGEM figures – total number of FIT installations in 2010