REMEMBER the days when we all dreamed of a designer kitchen – Le Creuset pots boiling merrily on the Aga, the Dualit toaster doing its thing and more Alessi gadgets than we knew what to do with?

Well, it seems those days have come to an end, and the solar panel is the new must-have addition to the most desirable homes.

According to research released today by the Energy Saving Trust advice centre, in Wallasey, Merseysiders are happy to pay more for a green home with a renewable energy source than for a posh kitchen.

And it seems they are more interested than ever about installing a renewable energy source – such as wind, solar or hydropower – to their property. Of those surveyed, 46% said they would like to know if their home was suitable for renewable energy.

Philip Sellwood, Chief Executive of the Energy Saving Trust, says: “It seems people from the North West are willing to pay more for a home with a renewable energy source, so investing in a solar panel or a wind turbine could add to the resale value of a property and could be as attractive to househunters as a new kitchen or solid wood floors.

“Forty-four per cent of carbon emissions are from the home, and, with depleting fossil fuels, government are looking at ways to incentivise householders to install domestic renewable energy. Next year will see the introduction of feed-in tariffs – where householders will receive a set payment for the electricity generated and exported.”

This means that, from next April, householders who generate their own energy will be able to sell excess supplies back to the National Grid.

And those who install alternative energy systems before then can also reap the rewards of government grants to help meet the costs, meaning that alternative energy is more affordable than ever.

“The legislation comes into effect from April, 2010, at which point the current system of government grants will be withdrawn,” says David Hunt, director of Formby-based Eco Environments, who fit alternative energy systems.

Mr Hunt explained: “If you install before next March, you will get both the grants plus the new tariffs in April.

“The new tariff will pay for all energy generated by your system, irrespective of if you use it yourself or sell it back to the grid.”

So homeowners are paid irrespective of any saving they make by buying less electricity from a supplier – and any income they earn from selling surplus power to an electricity supplier. So why aren’t we all doing it?

Well, there is a fairly hefty initial outlay: “The cost of a domestic system, depending on what you want to generate, or the size of your roof, is typically between £10,000 and £15,000,” says David.

But, under the low carbon buildings programme awards, managed by the Energy Saving Trust, grants of up to £2,500 are paid for solar installation as long as you use an MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme) accredited product and installer.

Polar Photovoltaic (PV) panels convert sunlight into electricity and – contrary to popular belief – work even in Liverpool's dismal summer. “The panels work on daylight, so, while they produce more the sunnier it is, as long as it’s daylight they’ll work,” says David.

“The systems are fully automated and require no input – you use what you generate and automatically export any surplus.

“If you are using more than you generate, you ‘import’ the amount you need. Typically, a domestic home will export 40% of what you generate.” David is currently planning a system for a customer in Merseyside for £11,500.

“Through the Low Carbon Buildings Programme we will be able to obtain a £2,500 grant for him, reducing his capital costs to £9,000,” says David. “His system is predicted to generate 1865 kwh’s (or units) per year.”

At a rough guess, the customer will be paid £680.73 a year for generating the electricity, he’ll save £111.90 by not having to buy that amount of electricity (as he has generated it himself), and he’ll be paid £37.30 for his exported electricity.

Altogether, he’ll save a rough estimate of £829.93 a year. But it would take more than 10 years for him to recoup his initial investment.

“This figure will increase each year as electricity prices increase, as may the amount he’s paid for his exported electricity,” explains David.

“The panels are guaranteed for 25 years. Plus, the main tariff for income is fixed for 25 years, though it will not go down. So, during the 25 years, if electricity prices do not change, the payback will be £20,748.25. But we all know what is happening to electricity prices. The Government works on a basis of 10% increase annually, but this is, we think, conservative.”

So, over 25 years, the investment will more than double.

“It also adds value to your home, the Nationwide suggest as much as 10%,” says David.

And, in the Crosby example, the panels will offset over one tonne of CO² that would otherwise have been used.

David started the company after becoming disillusioned with the rat race.

“For 12 years I was a head-hunter, recruiting for senior level roles, nationally and internationally,” he says. “I took an 18-month sabbatical working as a corporate fundraiser for Barnardo’s, looking at many Liverpool businesses.

“I’ve always had a passion for environmental issues and I’m currently studying part-time for an Open University degree in environmental science. It was from that the idea for Eco Environments was born.”

The company is currently working to help homeowners get grants before the current scheme runs out in March. But there are also other sources of funding.

“For schools, charities, faith and community groups we can get 50% grant funding,” he explains. “For businesses, we can help and advise on a variety of grants available from the NWDA and other sources. The bottom line is there is support out there for people wanting to install renewable energy.”

And, since the Government announcement about buying back surplus power, enquiries and bookings have gone through the roof.

“There is certainly a lot more awareness of about renewable energy, but generally people are not well informed.”

FOR more information on using renewable energy, contact the Merseyside-based Energy Saving Trust advice centre on 0800 512 012 or visit the website at www.energysavingtrust.org.uk

Contact Eco Environments Ltd on 0151 922 5936 or www.eco-environments.co.uk