Gadgets (3024)

Sharp and Currys bring solar panels to the high street

Reduce the size of your carbon footprint

31 July 2006 14:43 GMT / By Amber Maitland

Sharp and Currys have teamed up to offer solar panels for the home for the first time on the high street.

The panels promise to cut down a household’s electricity bill by up to 50% a year, and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by up to two tons a year.

Homes that install the panels may increase in value slightly; people worried about the cost of the panels should read the Low Carbon Buildings Programme, which gives grants to homes reducing their carbon dioxide emissions.

Initially, the Sharp solar panels will only be available in Currys located in West Thurrock, Croydon, and Fulham.

Customers will receive an in-store consultation and then receive a free home assessment to see if the house supports the technology.

Installation takes 1 or 2 days, and the cost for nine solar panels, which should cover half of an average three bedroom house’s electricity requirement, costs around £9000.