1. Let the
sunshine in
Solar panels save energy,
environment and money
Words by Yayeri van Baarsen
R
ain is pouring down from the skies, puddles of water
have formed on the streets and the sun is hidden
behind the clouds. However, the solar panels on the
roof of Alan and Jenny Taylor’s house in Wadebridge are
still generating energy. Tony Sampson, company director
of Cornwall Solar Panels, explains: “Solar panels convert all
light into electricity, not just sunlight. Therefore even on a
dark day, they still produce some units.”
Cornwall Solar Panels came recommended to Alan and
Jenny, who had their panels installed in October 2011. “Our
son Chris, a financial advisor, told us we couldn’t go wrong
with this investment,” Alan says. After some research into
solar panels, he decided it was indeed a win-win situation.
“You get paid for every single unit the solar panels
generate,” Tony explains. “If you are using the electricity
it’s generating, you’re not using electricity from the grid
and therefore save money on your electricity bill. If you’re
not using the electricity your panels generate, you get paid
for exporting the electricity back into the grid.” Since you
always use the energy from the panels first, before you draw
from the grid, having solar panels saves you on average
14.4p per unit used, according to the Energy Saving Trust.
Tony puts these figures into perspective: “On a good roof
in Cornwall, solar panels generate about £1,000 benefit
a year. With a decent full roof system starting at about
£6,000, it takes you six to eight years to get this money
back,” he explains.
Alan reckons he’ll pay his investment back in seven years
and is currently saving about 25 per cent on his electricity
bill. In just nine months, Alan and Jenny’s solar panels have
already generated 2,579 units of electricity (an average
three-bedroom house uses about 3,200 units a year).
Apart from the financial benefit from the solar panels, the
Taylors also like the environmental side. “We’re very green
anyway,” Jenny says. “We always recycle and rather walk
than take the car. We think about the environment quite a
28 Cornwall Today

2. solar panels
Having solar panels has made even chimneys to get an accurate picture. Combined with
local weather files and characteristics of the thousands of
us more aware of how much different solar panels and inverters, Tony is able to offer three
suitable combinations for each household.
electricity we use - we try and The Taylors chose Panasonic solar panels that are a bit
do the washing on sunny days more expensive, but give them more power per square metre.
The panels are installed in the back side of the roof, facing
south. They are laid out in the triangle shape of the roof and
lot, and having the solar panels installed made us even more therefore integrate well with the natural look of the house.
aware of how much electricity we use. Now we even consider Alan and Jenny are very pleased with their energy efficient
when we’re going to turn the dishwasher on,” she explains. roof. “It’s a good financial investment, and it makes you feel
Alan agrees: “We try and do all the washing when it’s a sunny like you’re doing your little bit for the environment,” says
day,” he says. “Actually, we can’t think of any disadvantages Alan. Will there be any other green initiatives for the Taylors in
of the panels. There is no worry about maintenance; you the future? “I’m not sure - I don’t think the neighbours would
notify the electric company, get registered and that’s it.” be happy if we put a windmill in our garden ...” CT
In order to find the right solar panels for each situation,
Cornwall Solar Panels has special software which allows Tony Cornwall Solar Panels, Trevissome Park, Blackwater, Truro, TR4
to make a 3D model. He can add different types of trees and 8UN. Tel 01872 561179, www.cornwallsolarpanels.co.uk
Cornwall Today 29