Home Heating Guide, the UK’s leading online resource for homeowners regarding all domestic central heating, boiler and renewable energy-related issues, has welcomed British Gas’ latest scheme which offers customers solar photovoltaic panel installation for free.
British Gas has become the latest energy firm to offer installation of solar panels to UK homeowners with no up-front fee.
The move is part of the British Gas mySolar Energy pilot scheme which gives consumers the choice of either paying for solar panels themselves and reaping the financial benefits through the Feed-in Tariff, or having the panels installed for free and paying British Gas the cost back through the savings the household makes through the new tariff.
Through the scheme, households will receive a full installation service from the assessment of the home, installing the panel(s) and providing the homeowner with a Certificate of Expected Panel Performance.
Jon Kimber, Managing Director of British Gas New Energy, said, “Solar power will revolutionise the way British homes generate and use energy. British Gas, the largest energy supplier in the UK, is leading the way, helping our customers reap the benefits of this technology to cut their electricity bills, reduce their carbon footprint and earn a yearly income. British Gas is already one of the largest installers of solar panels in the UK, and we intend to be the leading player in this sector.”
Home Heating Guide founder David Holmes says the scheme is a massive deal for the solar industry with a reputable business such as British Gas jumping on the solar-installation incentive bandwagon.
“British Gas is a household name in the UK, so for them to offer a solar-specific scheme like this is really great news for the solar industry,” said Holmes.
“Under the scheme, British Gas will only be offering panels from partner manufacturers. But it is still a very large company that is taking solar technology seriously and offering it as a mainstream alternative.”
British Gas will face tough competition from rival energy firms including Npower and E.ON which also offer services designed to take advantage of the Feed-in Tariff. But David Holmes said the competition will only help the solar industry grow and ensure future development will be more rapid.
Holmes added: “With so many large-scale energy giants taking advantage of the Feed-in Tariff, it will put solar to the forefront of customer thinking. These offers put solar right into the mainstream and with more interest will come more jobs within the industry. The companies will undoubtedly be looking for more installers and demand for more developments in the technology will also mean more employment.
“Hopefully, if these schemes succeed the firms will look to offer similar promotions with the Renewable Heat Incentive next April.”
For more information on renewables and the benefits of solar power, please visit www.homeheatingguide.co.uk.
