Over the past few years, European governments have made climate change a central issue. Nations like Germany, Spain and France have announced huge investments in alternative sources of energy. The UK was one of the last of the European powers to join the party when they revealed an ambitious plan to cut Co2 emissions by 34 percent by 2010. What does this mean for the average citizen? Should we all install solar panels or erect windmills in our backyards? Of course, we would answer in the affirmative. But we understand the reluctance. Most homeowners believe that renewable forms of energy are still too expensive. And there is really no way to refute that. However, what we can tell you is that buying photovoltaic solar panels is cheaper than ever on the internet. These panels are commonly sold in kits that the homeowner must install himself. Yes, you will have to get up on the roof and do a little work. But don't worry, the job is a piece of cake, unless of course you are afraid of heights. Where to start? The first thing you must do is locate the sections of your roof that receive the most sunshine. If you have trouble answering this question, there are websites that track the position of the sun that can tell you how to arrange your panels. When it comes to the actual installation, the only thing you have to do is bolt the metal mounts that hold the panels directly into the rafters. Therefore, before you crawl out on the roof, make sure you have marked the location of each rafter.
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