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Solar Panel Installation – Costs, Eligibility, and Grants

Over the last few years, the country has noted a significant shift to using sustainable energy sources, the most popular being solar energy. Solar panels (or photovoltaics), made from semiconducting materials, are used to harvest the sun’s energy and convert it into electricity to power homes, factories, offices and more.

Solar Panel Installation – Costs, Eligibility, and Grants
Although solar panel installation may seem like an expensive investment , it can help people reduce their electricity bills and carbon footprint.

Solar panel installation – Is it for everyone?
While the financial and environmental benefits of solar panels remain unmatched, this energy solution may not be ideal for everyone .

Roof direction and slope
Typically, solar panel companies recommend installing them on an unshaded, south-facing roof for peak performance. A 20-50° pitch is considered ideal. East-and west-facing roofs get around 15-20% less energy but are still considered efficient. Note that solar panels are not recommended for homes with north-facing roofs.

Size of the roof
This aspect depends largely on the size of the solar panel system one is looking to install. For powering homes, 3.5 kWp (kilowatt peak) is one of the most commonly used systems. This features about 6-12 panels, which take up 10 to 20 m2 of the roof surface area. To get a more precise estimate , it is best to speak to a professional installer.

Obstruction
Obstructive features such as trees, buildings, or chimneys near the solar panels could impact their efficiency. For best results, it is recommended to look for a clear, unshaded spot. Homeowners can also opt for optimisers to reduce the impact of the shading.

Planning permissions
Solar panels fall under the category of “Permitted Development” across the country, which means that homeowners do not need to apply for special approvals or planning permissions. That said, those living in listed buildings, world heritage sites, or conservation/natural park areas will need to check in with their local planning guidance well in advance.

The panel system will also have to be registered with the Distribution Network Operator (DNO) or the NIE networks, depending on one’s area of residence.

Cost of solar panel installation
The overall cost of the solar panel system in England depends on factors such as the size of the system, ease of access to the roof, choice of panels/tiles, panel integration and additional parts, among other factors. On average, homeowners can expect domestic solar panel systems (3.5 kWp) to cost around £7,000.

These installation costs also include the cost of labour. This may be calculated in two different ways – per person or charge per watt. Most professionals choose to use the latter cost calculation method at a standard rate of 20 pence per watt. Please note that this price is subject to change depending on one’s location and other factors. Based on this estimate, the labour cost for the solar panel installation ranges between £600 and £1200. It is advisable to consult with the installation company regarding these charges before signing off on the project.

That being said, these systems typically break even and start paying for themselves within 14 years. Every month, homeowners can see savings of £400-915 on energy costs per year, as the electricity generated from these panels is free to use .

UK solar grants
While it may not be possible to find solar panel installations for free, homeowners can make use of government grants that make this setup more affordable.

  • 0% VAT
    Buyers all across the UK are eligible to pay 0% VAT on their solar panel systems. On a 4kWp system, this results in savings of £2,850.
  • Energy Company Obligation 4 (ECO4)
    Up until 2026, low-income households in the country may be eligible for getting partially or fully free solar panels.
  • Smart Export Guarantee (SEG)
    All solar panel owners can save an additional £45-80 under this program.
  • Home Upgrade Grant (HUG)
    Homes with an energy performance rating of D to G are eligible for this program, where they can potentially save up to £10,000 on solar panel costs, depending on their location or type of property.
  • Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (DSBS)
    This regional scheme is available for companies and institutions looking to decarbonise until April 2025. The total savings may vary depending on one’s location.

Getting a solar panel installation
Getting solar panels installed in one’s home is quite simple. To begin with, individuals must use a solar panel calculator to get an estimate of the right system size for their homes. These calculators can be found online for free.

The next step is to get quotes from vendors. Experts advise speaking to at least three MCS-qualified installers regarding the cost of the battery, inverter and system setup. A simple browser search can help individuals find solar panel installers nearby. Based on one’s budget and needs, individuals must now select their installer and pick an installation date.

On the scheduled date, the installer will arrive with all the necessary equipment for the job . They will start by installing the scaffolding before adding the mounts, panels and battery. The inverter is then connected to the home. Upon completion, the installer will conduct a test of the panels to identify any faults and will then provide a detailed explanation of the solar panel system to the homeowner. The installation process is now finalised and the solar panel system is fully operational and ready to use!

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6 simple benefits of meditation

A habitual process, mediation helps to train the mind to be more focussed by redirecting thoughts. Many people use meditation techniques to increase self-awareness. Some people use mediation as a way to alleviate stress and increase concentration levels. Whatever be the purpose of mediation, the process comes with a lot of benefits. Here are some of the well-known benefits of mediation and how it affects the brain. Improves sleep cycle Nearly everyone suffers from insomnia once in a while. Some experience a persistent lack of sleep. The reasons for a disrupted sleep cycle can be severe stress, anxiety, and worrying. Often racing thoughts and severe emotional distress can also cause insomnia. Medication helps in dealing with insomnia. However, by focusing all thoughts, meditation can be beneficial in controlling racing and runaway thoughts. Moreover, it will release the tension and help the mind and body relax, leading to improved sleep quality. Those who meditate often have better REM sleep and tend to fall asleep in a shorter time. Reduced perception of pain Everyone’s brain perceives pain with different intensities. However, when one is extremely stressed out or anxious, one’s perception of pain may be higher than usual. Pain receptors are directly linked to the emotional state of mind. When one incorporates regular meditation in their everyday routines, it can be effective in controlling pain sensations. With mindfulness meditation, pain can be alleviated. Moreover, the quality of life also improves. Those who suffer from chronic pain may find meditation useful as it lowers the risk of depression. Those who meditate have been known to develop higher tolerance towards physical pain. Improved concentration levels Mindfulness meditation increases the ability to focus on the present. It is similar to weight-lifting, but for the brain. This can improve concentration levels required for the other tasks in everyday life. According to research, mindfulness is linked to one’s ability to process new information. It gives a boost to emotional regulation, memory, and learning ability. Moreover, this can help in reversing patterns of worrying and wandering minds. All of this can give more clarity, allowing greater decision-making capability. Meta-awareness and attention can be trained through mindfulness meditation and focused-attention meditation. Lower risk of age-associated memory loss With meditation, there is improvement in attention. In addition, there is improved clarity of thought. A form of meditation that involves repeating a chant or mantra has been known to improve neuropsychological performance. Along with chanting, the meditating process also involves repetitive motions of the fingers. This helps to focus thoughts. Moreover, different forms of meditation have been known to boost memory, attention, and mental agility, especially in older adults. Along with slowing down age-related memory loss, meditating can help to control stress that is often a major contributor to memory loss. Better management of depression and anxiety Dwelling on anxious thoughts is one of the major factors contributing to depression. With mindfulness meditation, the mind can be trained to focus on the present. Practicing mindfulness over a longer duration can alleviate anxiety. It also helps in easing symptoms of depression. In many cases, meditation is often a part of comprehensive mental health treatment plans. From correcting troubled sleeping patterns, appetite loss, and moodiness, mindfulness-based mediation can go a long way in making it easier to manage anxiety and depression. Better self-esteem Mindfulness and meditation encourage a person to slow down. These practices help to follow deeper self-reflection. Along the way, a person gains the ability to discover positive attributes about themselves. A person is able to examine their feelings, emotions, and thoughts without any judgment. This boosts self-awareness. It also helps in improving social anxiety symptoms. All of these help in gaining a better sense of self-esteem.
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Tibetan prayer beads

Important things to know about prayer beads

If you have been practicing meditation or yoga for a long time, you probably have come across prayer beads. You can find these Buddhist beads, alternatively referred to as Tibetan prayer beads, in sculptures or paintings of Buddha where he is seen holding these beads. Although it is quite a common sight, few actually know about Tibetan prayer beads. This article elucidates on some important points related to prayer beads. Prayer beads have been used across the globe for thousands of years. They play a vital role in various cultures and countries for meditation purposes. Some records claim that beads were first noticed in Nepal and India. They have been used across different religions, such as Catholicism and Hinduism, among others. Advantages of prayer beads Prayer beads can help you with various aspects of meditation, a practice that provides numerous health benefits. Meditation can contribute to lowering blood pressure, improving sleep, and reducing stress levels. However, many people face difficulties while meditating, particularly at the start. This is when prayer beads prove to be useful, as they keep you focused while meditating. The constant movement of your fingers around the beads helps in grounding you. When you touch each bead, you say a chant so you can keep a count of the number of times you have repeated the chant. Composition of prayer beads Traditionally, they consist of 108 beads along with a guru bead, which has a tassel and is bigger than all the other beads. How significant is the number of beads Usually, traditional Tibetan prayer beads have 108 beads. This number is considered sacred in Buddhism and Hinduism. However, if you feel that 108 is a lot, you can purchase a necklace with 27 or 54 beads. Some necklaces have beads of different shapes after the 27 th bead. So, you can keep track of your repetitions efficiently. Such prayer beads also allow for shorter meditation periods. How can you use prayer beads for meditation? Breath control and repetition of the chant are two key starting points while using prayer beads during meditation. It is advisable to focus on your breathing while meditating. You can use prayer beads for managing your breath by: Holding the prayer beads in one hand Allowing the beads to drape around your fingers so that you may move them with ease Inhaling and exhaling one full breath Moving the fingers to the next bead; breath in and out once for each bead Concluding at the guru bead to finish 108 breaths Moving your fingers in the other direction until you again reach the guru bead if you wish to do another round. While following these steps, you may repeat a chant, which can be a sound, word, or phrase to be aware of during meditation.
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Natural Remedies for Depression

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