are solar panels and green energy worth the investment?

moonrakerz

beach86 wrote: »

Can I please suggest that if you have spare money (?) and you want to do something green then please please don’t invest in off-setting your CO2 emissions. It’s a complete waste of money and it is possible that it is causing more harm than good.

Don't say that ! there are a lot of cowboys out there making a good living out of this.

beach86

Sorry Moonrakerz...I dont understand what you mean? Are you all for CO2 offsetting? I was just stating if you have money to spend to reduce your personal footprint use a green energy supplier and insulate rather than offsetting.

Rhauri

In relation to the payback on solar panels, just seen this interesting article.

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2008/04/solar-payback-uk.php.

Which could have some extra info / links ....

Rhauri

Well according to this article, they are worth the investment.

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2008/04/solar-payback-uk.php.

liitleblackcat

We have just spent £3,250 on solar hot water panels for our 4 bed semi - although we already had a solar hot water tank so that would have been extra cost if we had needed to repalce the old tank. I don't expect it to pay for itself inside 20 years, but my view is less selfish than many posters in this thread.

We have all got to do what we can to reduce carbon emissions where we can. I have the money and gas prices are never going to go down in the long run. Who would have thought 20 years ago that oil would be $120 a barrel. North sea gas is running out and the Russians don't seem too keen to supply us. Where will our gas come from in the next 20 years? We don't make anything any more and our imports exceed our exports by £billions every month. Who will take £sterling for their resources in 20 years time?

So - insulate and draught-proof first, reduce temperatures in your house second, and, if you can afford it, put in solar panels for hot water third.

Sailor_Sam

it may not be worth it financially, but we all need to consider the feel good factor, ' to save the world' how much is that worth?
check out the Centre for Alternative Technology website. if we can afford it we should all, do our bit. what sort of world do you want to pass onto your children?

Ken68

Lots of things don't have a decent payback time, but, for instance, I wouldn't want to go back to single windows.
Packing up driving should be priority number one, growing your own food another, heavy insulation for the house another.
Spend £3000 on a solar panel system, then stop driving, or use one less car in the family, and it's paid for. It's the right way to go, tho stand alone doesn't pay.