We have negotiated up to 20% discount off the standard installation costs. This is dependent on us getting 100 households to sign up. Although we are confident that we will achieve that volume, if we don't there is a sliding scale of discounts available, as follows:

• Tier 1:   < 5 installs         = 0%
• Tier 2:   5-9 installs         = 8%
• Tier 3:   10-19 installs    = 12%
• Tier 4:   20-49 installs    = 15%  <-- This is where we are so far (estimated)
• Tier 5:   50-99 installs    = 18%
• Tier 6:   100 installs        = 20%

Types of Solar Panels

There are two main types of solar thermal panel:

Flat Plate	Evacuated Tubes

Both work extremely well in the UK. Evacuated tubes are slightly more efficient, but many prefer the aesthetics of flat plates, which look very similar to velux windows.

You can also choose from a vented system or unvented/pressurised system. The vented system is the type where you have a water tank in your loft, which most UK houses have. An unvented or pressurised system is where you rely on the mains water pressure (rather than a header tank in your loft). Both systems work well however there are difference and benefits to each; we will talk more about this at the public meeting.

There are also PV panels for generating electricity. (PV = Photovoltaic).

PV (Photovoltaic)

Freesource only use the highest quality components. For example, the PV panels are made by Mitsubishi, who have been designing and building solar panels for satellites for decades. The thermal (hot water) flat plates are very high quality and made by Schüco, Germany. The evacuated tubes are similar quality and extremely efficient; these are manufactured by Thermomax, in the UK.