JUST 1.5% of households in the UK have solar panel installations, a new survey has shown.
This is a far cry from last year’s pledge from the government that 4million homes (about 1 in 6) would have solar panels by 2020.
And it is Londoners who are letting the side down.
In the borough of Westminster just one in every 2,500 households has a solar installation.
Tower Hamlets and the City of London are close behind, with installations in only one in every 1,250 households.
The figures come from consultancy WSP Group who found that London boroughs occupy all bottom ten spaces.
However, in huge contrast, one in 12 households in mid-Devon has a solar installation with Wrexham and South Hams following close behind.
Interestingly, 12 out of the top 25 local authorities are located in the south-west, probably to do with the high level of sun intensity, but perhaps also to do with the availability of cash to install a costly solar panel.
A spokesperson for www.theecoexperts.co.uk said: “It’s clear more has to be done to extol the virtues of using solar energy to power homes. In a time where energy prices are destined to rise and rise and rise it makes sense, to be able to power your home for free with renewable energy.
“It is interesting that London, is shunning solar so obviously, though this could be to do with the amount of high rise buildings, which may not be ideal for solar panels.
“What is interesting is that this study has shown that even areas with with relatively low levels of sunshine like Dumfries and Galloway in Scotland have a high installation rate. Clearly people there are well aware of the financial benefits of solar, as well as the environmental ones.
“We would like to see the government put its money where its mouth is, and see their target figure achieved.”
