Record rise in UK homes with PV solar panels

A record number of British homes had photovoltaic (PV) solar panels fitted in August, according to the UK's energy watchdog, which may encourage more developers and architects to use sustainable construction products.

The BBC reported that Ofgem, the power industry regulator, recorded a total of 2,257 homes kitted out with PV solar panels last month, up from 1,700 in July and 1,400 in the previous month.

It also revealed that more than 6,600 UK homes have had solar PV equipment installed since April 2010, when the government's Feed-in Tariff (FiT), which rewards people who generate their own renewable energy, was introduced.

''Such panels could generate about £700 a year from the FiT, as well as saving homeowners about £100 a year on energy bills,'' the news provider said.

Last month, sustainable construction analyst AMA Research suggested that green building products designed to produce renewable energy in the home would see ''significant growth'' in the coming years.

Posted by Andrew Marshall