Harry Smith of Energy-Wyse Environmental first started extoling the virtues of solar PV well over a year before the launch of the scheme which encourages everyone to generate power.

That was 2009 and now, with the feeding in tariff a year old in April, business is booming as commercial and domestic clients realise the benefits, both financial and environmental, of new
technologies.

Solar PV – photovoltaic - works by converting the sun’s rays into energy which is then turned from DC into AC current in your premises. This then goes through a meter which measures the amount you have generated and you will be paid for that amount at 41.3p per kilowatt hour.
Installing a 1.57 kW system in an average house will take two or three days.

Not only do you get the electricity you provide for free instead of paying say 10p per kilo Watt hour kWh to an energy provider, but the Government also pays you 41.3 p per kWh for the energy you have produced, guaranteed for 25 years. And you can sell the excess to the national grid for 3p per kWh.

The rate of 41.3p per kWh is guaranteed for 25 years for customers who start generating power before April 1 2012. Properties coming on stream after that will get a lower rate. So
the message is act now.

In addition to the 41.3p per kWh most energy providers will currently pay you 50% for the energy you have produced. In a worst case scenario that is another 3p per kWh on top of the
41.3p .

If you are kicking yourself for not investing in solar PV before the recent 20% Vat rate started there is good news. The Government is so keen to encourage green energy the VAT on
solar power is just 5%. Better still, (if you sign up with Energy-Wyse before April 1 2011 Harry will pay that too.)

Harry has been an electrician for 30 years and set up his award-winning company Energy-Wyse 15 years ago. He also provides systems for solar thermal (hot water). Harry has recently become one of the first people to qualify for a Certificate of Confidence which allows him to install systems above 9kw up to 50kw.

Word is spreading about solar PV and demand has never been stronger. In recent months Energy-Wyse has been involved in projects at domestic properties of all sizes, offices and even
barns. Harry and his team have been working in London, all over Essex, Suffolk and further afield.

“I have been quite surprised by the size of the installations most customers want. I went into this thinking they are going to want 2kW systems but most are asking for as much as they
can fit on their roof,” Harry said. “People have done the maths and want maximum return. Everyone wants to be as energy efficient as they can. Many of our customers are professional
people, accountants, teachers, businessmen – they understand the numbers!”

Recent installations have included A-frame panels for a flat roof building in London where the 9kW system helps power the offices and a swimming pool. Farmers were early converts to
the idea of solar PV and in some parts of the country whole fields are covered by panels which generate revenue thanks to the feeding in tariff.

Referrals from previous customers are starting to come and Harry knows the benefits of solar PV from personal experience. In February 2010 he installed a 1.5 kW system in his own
office. By the start of January 2011 the meter read 1,500 kWh which, at 43.1p per kW is worth £646.50 under the feeding in tariff. In addition Harry has saved the £120.75 he would have
had to pay for electricity therefore the total benefit is £767.25 giving a 10% return on his investment.

Harry has always prided himself on excellent customer service and is happy to offer advice to his domestic and commercial customers.

“Things are fast moving in favour of energy efficiency, even in the commercial world,” he said. “For example, there is legislation at the moment which means all large companies with energy bills in excess of £500,000 must register their efficiency or face a fine. Eventually that will come down the line for smaller companies who will have to monitor their energy consumption and put measures in place to be more energy efficient. That’s obviously where we come in.”