HAVE you ever considered whether you could generate some of your own electricity using your roof and earn a 10 per cent or greater return on the money you invest at the same time?

There is now a system available that can enable you to do just that. It is called photovoltaic electricity or PV for short.

Sustainable Crediton and Sandford Energy Group have set up a scheme with a well-established reputable installer to bring reduced installation rates to the Crediton area.

The community group hope that the project will help people to reduce their carbon footprints as well as energy bills.

To enable people to find out more, a leaflet "drop" will soon take place in the area and Sustainable Crediton will be holding a public meeting in the Old Town Hall, Crediton on Thursday, May 26, beginning at 7.30pm.

At the meeting there will be a short presentation on the not-for-profit scheme that could help a householder generate their own electricity and earn an income at the same time. The meeting is open to everyone and questions will be answered by Sustainable Crediton and their chosen partner, Solarsense, on the new group buying project.

HOW WILL IT WORK?

The Courier asked Charles Mossman, vice chair of the environmental group, how the project will work?

He said: "Sustainable Crediton is concerned about the environment and climate change.

"Members of its Energy Group wanted to do something to help reduce their own carbon footprints and help others do the same.

"So the group have set up a not-for-profit buying group to help households in Crediton and the surrounding area adopt PV to reduce their consumption of fossil fuels.

"We have been able to obtain substantial savings of up to 20 per cent off the standard installation costs with Solarsense, a major south western installer."

Ian Ford, the company's local surveyor, says: "We are delighted to be working with this community group in Crediton.

"We have more than 15 years experience in the solar industry and have recently completed a large solar PV system at Worthy Farm, home to the Glastonbury Festival.

"We have also carried out thousands of installations throughout the country."

The scheme began as the Sandford Energy Project in October last year.

IT WAS LINDA'S IDEA

Sustainable Crediton Energy Group member Linda Lever had the original idea as a way to make Sandford a greener place to live.

Linda explains: "Since we began there has been tremendous interest in the scheme.

"We have already had more than 40 surveys carried out and 13 orders placed with Solarsense. "This means that we have reached a 7.5 per cent discount already! Now we are ready to expand the scheme to Crediton and beyond."

Gill Barnes, who lives locally, decided to buy some solar panels through the scheme.

She said: "I had been thinking about, and saving up for, the installation of photovoltaic solar panels on my roof for a long time.

"I was really delighted to hear that Sustainable Crediton were organising a group purchase and were investigating best buys.

"The rep from Solarsense came round to look at my house last month and I expect to have the panels fitted in June.

"He said the installation would probably not take much more than one day.

"After having a look round inside and taking measurements, he took all the time I needed to answer my questions about things like the weight of the panels, any noise they might generate in the day, durability, performance on my roof, which doesn't face exactly south, and so on.

"There was no pressure selling and there was no commitment to buy if I didn't want to. There is also group discount and potential rebate available.

FULL STORY: issue 875.