If you are an avid DIYer, solar power enthusiast, and are keen to do more than the bare minimum to save the world, you may want to take a few weekends out to install solar panels on your home’s roof.

There is and increasing range of solar panels available on the market. The example highlighted here is one of the cheapest on the market, yet may be just what you need to reduce your carbon footprint enough to sleep better at night. Freehold permitting, I intend to schedule my install for late August 2007 and am currently working with architects to ensure that this project is completed as aesthetically as possible.

B&Q sell a variety of solar panel package to choose from. With only a modest home, the pack I have opted for contains 1 solar panel and compatible cylinder for a tiled roof only. The panel and cylinder come with full controls and fixing kits, 35 year life expectancy, Full European certification BS/EN 12975 Parts 1 & 2.

I have enlisted the help of several friend – two of which do not know yet – for the project. Two are engineers and one is a builder. If you chose to undertake such a project and are not particularly skilled at DIY, please do make sure you get some buddies and a qualified professional who are in to help you. On purchase of this product, you will be contacted for the installation service that B&Q recommend.

I hope to begin making large savings on my ever increasing energy bills by early September – but more importantly significantly reduce my family’s carbon footprints. As the boiler cycling is reduced increasing this will also increase the life of your boiler. These solar panels will even work below 0 degrees Celsius so I expect that they will continue to supply significant energy for heating throughout the winter.

My solar panels are suitable for domestic use and my particular type of roof but BYQ do provide quite a range.

I purchased my solar panels from B&Q in the in the UK for around £1800. Admittedly I may never recoup this in energy savings on my bills but that is not the point.

I live in the hope that my actions and others like me may actually make the world a better place for our children to live in and that’s the payoff for me…