Solar panels in the United Kingdom
While enjoying a pint on a countryside walk, I was distracted by a conversation about solar panels. A debate of the effectiveness of solar panels in the UK began.
Interested to hear a stranger’s point-of-view, I earwigged whilst admiring the beautiful Welsh countryside. Resisting the urge to declare my own enthusiasm, I listened as they began to espouse the usual solar myths.
The classic line of “solar panels don’t work well in our climate” didn’t take long to surface. Still resisting the urge to join the conversation, I was surprised when the youngest begin to re-educate the elder. “Well yes, it does have this stigma attached, but why are so many people adopting it today?” Exactly, I thought.
“Because of the ability to sell surplus power today,” he replied. Ah-ha!
The youngest responded, “So if the energy companies are willing to encourage and help people self-generate, then they’re obviously worth doing, even in the UK.” Bravo, my inner voice shouted out. Without any intervention, I heard a third-party reason and confirmation of the effectiveness of solar panels.
In the United Kingdom, home to the solar-skeptic. The growth potential for people coming to terms with unaffordable energy expenditure. And, all this before I’d reached the half-a-pint point. At this crucial point, I decided to introduce myself and add my knowledge of the solar panel subject. Turns out, Gavin and his father were also having a ‘quick one’ before going to a family meet-up.
More interestingly, Gavin was getting solar panels installed in three weeks. I don’t remember drinking the last half because I was so engrossed in my busman’s holiday conversation, but what came out was the generational gap difference. As both Gavin and I explained, not only have modern PV technologies improved in efficiency, a reduction in costs, but the reasons for installing have changed too! And this was the crux of our tipsy debate.
The long-term lifespan of solar panels is so high (30-40 years typically) that we can’t even comprehend yet, what the world in thirty years.
One thing is assured, that your photovoltaic solar panels will still be operational. Only a decade ago, we enjoyed a golden age of inexpensive energy bills. Back then, solar panels seemed silly, but year-on-year, the outlook for our energy-hungry lives seems to become more and more expensive without solar technology! The ability to visualise the future can only be a guess at best, but what is certain is the rising costs of heating and powering our 21st-century lives.
Back to my tipsy conversation, I even explained how Scotland is an enthusiastic adopter of solar-tech. I congratulated Gavin on his astute foresightedness, and his father was indeed sold on the idea by the end of my pint. He now sees them in a different light and would watch Gavin’s installation with great interest.
In a quiet pub in North Wales, I witnessed the conflict of opinion even within family members. I also demonstrated how easy it is to change opinion, once presented facts. Cheers, can I have a second pint and whatever my new friends wish to drink, thanks.