The one certainty at the present time anywhere in the world is that it is much cheaper to buy and install a home solar power system to heat water than to generate electricity.

Technological developments at present seem to be focussing more on improving the flexibility and productivity of Photovoltaic cells (used to create electrical current), so the difference in price may become less over time.

Here are some things you need to consider when working out the cost:

• which system you want to install
• what is your hot water or power usage
• do you have the appropriate roof space or yard area to set up a system
• are you able to install it yourself or will you use a qualified installer
• what grants or incentives are available

Information to help you answer the first three bullet points above can be found here.

Assessing whether you could or should install a system yourself, go here.

Information about grants can be found here.

Because of variations in systems and prices, as well as market conditions, in and within different countries, it is inappropriate to give ball park figures here.  As and when we have useful examples they will be shown below.

Updated 18 June 2007