Solar power is perhaps our most important renewable source of energy
 Solar energy contributes a great deal to our energy needs; the radiant energy of the sun maintains the Earth’s surface at a temperature warm enough to support human life. It is predicted that although the nuclear fusion reactions within the interior of the sun will eventually convert all the available energy, the sun will continue to supply its power for another 5 billion years!
By harnessing this power, for example by designing buildings that take advantage of the sun's radiation, or by using solar collectors to produce hot water or heating, we can have a continuous supply of energy for our daily lives. Of course, solar collectors are used widely in sunny countries, but they are also used in places like Austria - and in Britain too, despite the clouds. It's estimated there are more than 40,000 solar water heating systems in Britain currently and more are being utilised as people realise their value.
The sun really does shine in Scotland - more than you think!Just look at the chart below to see how Leuchars compared with Greenwich for sunshine over the 30 years between 1971 and 2000.
The relatively high latitude of Scotland means that although winter days are very short, long summer days have an extended twilight. On the longest day there is no complete darkness in the north of Scotland. Lerwick, in Shetland, has about four hours more daylight (including twilight) at midsummer than London.
The sun produces almost 35,000 times the amount of energy used by all the inhabitants of he earth in one year
Here on the east coast of Scotland we average 1523 hours of sunshine every year. That’s nearly 100 hours more than Greenwich in the south of England! (figures taken from Met office data – see chart1). So yes, the sun DOES shine in Scotland and, yes, Solar Panels to produce electricity and hot water DO WORK in Scotland.
So you can:
- Have clean, free energy
- Use nature’s resources to produce power
- Save £££’s on you energy bills
- Help reduce greenhouse gases
- Have a cost effective Hot Water Solar system installed in your home that really works
- Spread the cost with our interest-free finance package
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Sunshine Facts! 