IF ECO-WARRIORS including Prince Charles and Glastonbury founder Michael Eavis have their way, solar panels could soon be heating homes and lighting offices in the UK with renewable energy.

His eco-minded Royal Highness has previously called on Britons to take shorter showers to save money on energy bills – and revealed he increased the use of renewable energy at his four households to 22 per cent.

Farmer Eavis has built more than 1,000 solar panels on the roof of his cow barn in Somerset, in what’s thought to be the biggest solar roof in the country.

Renewable energy is a green, cost-effective alternative to coal, oil and natural gas.

Easily replenished (or ‘renewed’) and stemming from infinite resources, it’s never been easier to sign up.

With a little investment, you could turn your home from a fossil fueldependent space into a green energy palace – and save money in the long run.

Did you know the average home in the UK could generate 50-60 per cent of the power needed to supply its own electricity?

And solar panels don’t just generate light – they can also provide hot water for your home.

The panels are made up of photovoltaic (PV) cells, each one made from layers of semiconducting material. Light shining on the cell creates an electric field. They can be installed on roofs and conservatories – basically anywhere that can hold some weight and attract light – or integrated into existing roofs with tiles that resemble normal roof tiles.

The cost you pay depends on whether you opt for solar tiles or panels.

Tiles have a higher price tag with most homes requiring 1.5-3kW.

However, it could save up to 1.2 tonnes of CO2 a year, according to the Energy Saving Trust (energysavingtrust.

org.uk).

That could knock £250 off your electricity bill.

Solar PV is best suited for homeowners with a south-facing roof.

Installations can range from hunky panels to flatter tiles that fit in elegantly with your existing roof.

And sometimes, they don’t even have to go on a roof at all.

Wendy and Ron Jordan own a farm and B&B dating from the 16th century.

Their roof was too old to add a panel onto, so they installed their 12 solar PV panels in a nearby field for a total cost of £8,500 instead.

The panels now supply one-third of their electricity, says Ron.

“We were both on the verge of retirement at 66 and felt that we couldn’t put a lot more energy into earning money, so we decided to reduce our costs instead,” he explains, citing savings of £300 a year on their electricity bills.

The Cornwall-based Jordans have already invested in loft insulation, and a wood-burning stove, to reduce their energy costs and make their home more green. They also plan to install solar thermal panels, which should supply at least 90 per cent of their central heating needs.

“Even if it’s pouring with rain here, like it is now, we can still produce 500 watts of electricity from solar PV,” he says.

“I have and would recommend solar PV to anyone.”