SSE launches solar PV scheme for customers

Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE) has launched a new solar photovoltaic scheme for its customers that will enable them to benefit from free solar electricity.

Customers who sign up for the scheme will have solar photovoltaic panels installed on their roof by SSE’s micro-renewable business — at no cost. The customer will be able to use electricity generated by these panels for free, in return for allowing SSE Micro Renewables to keep the panels on the roof for the next 25 years.

SSE Micro Renewables will benefit from the generation and export tariffs associated with any solar electricity generated through the solar PV and will be responsible for all ongoing maintenance.

A typical three-bedroom house is likely to be suitable for a 10-panel solar PV system (2.35kWp) — which would normally require an initial outlay of around £10,000 if the customer installed the panels themselves.

Assuming 50 per cent of the free electricity generated by such a system is used by the customer, a typical SSE customer could expect to save around £130 on their electricity bill in the first year.

Alan Evans, national development manager for SSE, said: ’The introduction of Feed-in-Tariffs (FITs) has changed the economics of micro-renewable generation in a very positive way. However, for many customers the initial outlay required to benefit from these tariffs is still too great. SSE has set up this deal to ensure that there is no outlay by the customer and that they will benefit from free electricity as soon as the system is connected.’