£9000 solar panels 'halve electricity bills'

Currys is to begin selling solar panels for house roofs in some of its high street stores this week. It claims soar powered homes can expect to save up to 50 per cent on their electricity bills.

Currys will provide a free home assessment to customers and a typical installation of nine panels takes one or two days. Such a setup would cost approximately £9,000 but comes with a performance warranty of 25 years.

A three bedroom household could also expect to reduce its carbon dioxide emissions by up to two tons per year.

The solar panels on sale are manufactured by Sharp Electronics and are specially designed to take the British climate into account. The solar technology they use doesn't require direct sunlight, ordinary daylight is sufficient.

Panels are initially available at Currys stores in West Thurrock, Fulham and Croydon.

* Our print edition goes green this month with a look at the impact that the production, use and disposal of PCs has on the environment. The October issue of Personal Computer World, on sale 17th August.