Simplicity and solar panels

Indigo Redfern reflects on the spiritual side effects of solar panels

by Indigo Redfern 13th May 2011

A few months ago I read a detailed article in the Guardian about solar panels and the new ‘Feed-in Tariffs’. Labour’s parting shot was this new legislation that suddenly made solar not just affordable, but actually a sound investment. The solar electricity generated on our roof is fed back into the grid, for which the electricity company is obliged to pay handsomely for the next twenty-five years. So the £10,000 cost of installing solar panels is repaid over ten years at £1,000 pa by the electricity company buying the electricity generated; for the next fifteen years we keep the £1,000 pa. And while all this goes on, we also get to use all the free electricity we want while the panels are generating. What could be better? Especially after adding in that smug, holy feeling for reducing our carbon footprint…