How popular is solar heating in Britain

A.� Although we are still lagging quite a way behind our European counterparts, solar heating is on the rise here, partly driven by government and EU funding.

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Homes account for about a third of our national fuel consumption and a quarter of carbon dioxide emissions. Solar power is seen as one of the key elements in helping us cut emissions and become more energy efficient in line with the Kyoto Treaty and there are a number of schemes designed to make installing it affordable. For instance, the house builder Laing has recently received a �100,000 grant to make eight new three-bedroom houses entirely solar heated.

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A.� Yes. In the home there are essentially two different types, the less ambitious water heating systems and the full-blown electricity generating system. The water heating system is typically a flat four metre square panel attached to the roof, while the photovoltaic system, to give it its full title, is made up of roof panels, very much like roofing tiles.

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A. It may sound like cutting edge technology, but actually it is very simple. The water-heating panel works by having water pumped through it and heated by the sun. The hot water is then pumped back through a heat exchange coil in a hot water cylinder, warming the surrounding water.

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Photovoltaics produce electricity when sunlight strikes the semiconductor material in the solar cells and creates a current.

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A.� It's true that a basic water heating panel will only produce about 50% of the hot water an average family will use in a year, but that still represents a saving of roughly �300 per year on a standard annual bill. With installation cost between �1,500-3000 it will pay for itself within five to 10 years.

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A.� There are now 19 subsidised Solar Clubs around the country who can advise on individual homes and get equipment at discounted prices. Log on to www.solarclub.org. Otherwise contact the Centre for Sustainable Energy, tel: 0116-929-9950, for advice and a list of reputable installers.

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