The U.K. receives similar amounts of sunlight to the other countries in Northern Europe, such as Germany, Switzerland and Austria, that already have thousands of solar buildings. There is no doubt that solar power could work in the U.K.

In fact, the amount of solar energy that falls on the British Isles every year is equivalent to more than 700 times our total electricity needs.

Solar panels produce electricity all year round. They work best when the sun is at its brightest, but also produce electricity on cloudy days, in the winter, in the snow and even when it is raining.

Studies undertaken by the Department of Trade and Industry have shown that solar panels installed on buildings have the potential to provide as much electricity as we currently use per year in Britain.

In 1993 the solar industry was worth $1 billion world-wide. British companies manufacture 10% of the solar panels that are produced globally, and generate exports worth ú40 million a year.

Britain's First Solar Office


Britain's First Solar Home