Solar Panels - Grants

If you are thinking of investing in solar panels then you will want to know what sort of grants that you can get. Solar PV currently attracts the best financial support from both the government and private companies.

So if you invest in a typical solar photovoltaic system what options are there for claiming back the cost of your investment. It's good that you are taking the step to make a difference to produce green electricity and reduce your carbon footprint. However green we are we can always do with some help in the form of cash to offset the costs. After all you are doing something that will benefit not just you but society in general.

So what can you claim back for installing solar panels. Grants are available but not as a lump sum payment for installing the system itself but rather for the good it does. This is measured in the form of tariff payments including the feed in tariff and the export tariff.

The feed in tariff is currently set at about 41 pence per kilowatt hour you generate. The payment will come from your current energy supplier, that's the company that you currently pay your electricity bill to. The tariff is due to be reviewed in 2012 so the sooner you get your panels installed the sooner you can lock in the higher payment rates.

The second type of solar panel grant is the export tariff. This is the payment your energy providers pays you when you sell any electricity back to the grid. Remember you have already been paid the feed in tariff rate so the export tariff is in addition to this.

The amount that you can claim for the energy that you sell back is dependant on the supplier. The government has set the minimum rate at 3 pence per kilowatt hour. You can check with individual suppliers as to the rate that they currently pay. Smaller green energy specialist suppliers are more likely to pay you more. Some suppliers have had rates at 15 pence for some of their customers so it is a good idea to shop around before making this decision.

The amount that you can claim for the energy that you sell back is dependant on the supplier. The government has set the minimum rate at 3 pence per kilowatt hour. You can check with individual suppliers as to the rate that they currently pay. Smaller green energy specialist suppliers are more likely to pay you more. Some suppliers have had rates at 15 pence for some of their customers so it is a good idea to shop around before making this decision.

One step is essential before choosing a company to fit your solar panels in order to get the grants. You should make sure that the installer is MCS certified and that the panels they use are likewise. Without this certification you will not be able to get any grants.