Fed up of rising energy bills? Solar has the answer

As the UK solar industry moves closer towards the announcement of the latest feed-in tariff consultation, many installers are becoming increasingly concerned that consumers have lost interest in the technology. With energy bills continuing on an upwards trend, and the recession going back for another dip, is there hope for UK consumers out there?

Last week UK energy news focussed on price rises. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) was warned by its internal research team that there could be a permanent doubling of oil prices in the coming decade with profound implications for global trade, while Centrica warned on Friday that the trend for retail energy costs "remains upwards."

"UK wholesale gas costs are around 15 percent higher for next winter than last, and non-commodity costs - which are also largely outside of our control - are expected to add a further £50 to the cost of supplying the average household this year," Centrica said in a statement.

Also last week it was reported that three-quarters of customers who have signed up to The Big Switch, launched by consumer group Which?, will save a “disappointing” amount on their energy bills.

The Big Switch aimed to use the collective bargaining power of nearly 300,000 consumers to negotiate cheaper energy tariffs by effectively bulk-buying on behalf of the group. However, critics have pointed out that the winning tariff is actually more expensive than the cheapest already available on the market.

Source:http://www.solarpowerportal.co.uk/news/feature_fed_up_of_rising_energy_bills_solar_has_the_answer_5478