Energy provider E.ON launches UK SolarSaver scheme

Investor-owned energy company, E.ON, has launched a 'SolarSaver' scheme for the UK, which provides residents with a 'one stop shop' service for installing and generating solar power. The new scheme will work alongside the country's recently announced feed-in tariff (FiT).

Under the FiT, UK residents can earn 41.3p/kWh for the energy they produce over a period of 25 years, and a further 3p for excess energy that they feed back into the grid. E.ON calculates that by installing a 2.1kW system, a resident could earn over £24,000 over the system lifetime, paying back the original investment - approximately £12,000 - in 12 years.

The SolarSaver scheme offers residents a service that will bring all of the aspects of setting up a system together. Phil Gilbert at E.ON said, "SolarSaver will give customers the level of service you'd expect from one of the UK's leading energy companies; from initial consultation to survey and installation - assessing homes for suitability, helping with planning applications and identifying grants or funding to which customers may be entitled."

Speaking with PV-Tech, Andrew Barrow at E.ON said, "As one of the leading power and gas providers in the world and the UK, we can provide customers with the quality assurance for solar energy systems. Now that the UK is working to cut its CO2 emissions down, we think it is important to offer residents the opportunity to be a part of this themselves."

In order to set itself apart from other energy providers, E.ON will also provide homeowners with a 'Solar Certificate of Performance', which will prove to prospective buyers the age and performance of the panels and include a forecast for future energy generation and subsidy payments.