The high price of solar power

The UK's number one electrical retailer, Currys, is dipping its toe into the waters of eco-friendly micro-generation. From today, shoppers will be able to buy solar panel equipment from three of their stores in the south-east. However, it won't be cheap - a typical installation will cost around £9,000. Given that such a set-up would only produce about half of the power required for a home, purchasers can apparently expect to wait between seven and 18 years to recoup their outlay - even with a generous government grant to offset the cost (ie, the rest of the country pays for the solar panels of the few).

Perhaps those who splash out on solar power are being far-sighted, knowing that in decades to come they will save a considerable sum on their bills. Maybe we will all be doing it in a few years' time once the panels come down in price. However, there is little chance of that in the short-term. What is good about covering your roof in panels is that (a) you get to salve your conscience about your impact on the environment and (b) everyone else will see that you're doing your bit. It'll be the biggest thing since the Toyota Prius, another pointless exercise in showing off your environmental credentials.

Currys to stock solar panels, Guardian, 31 July 2006

Being seen to be green, by Rob Lyons