Figures from the UK government have shown that Mid-Devon is leading the way when it comes to solar panels.
The Department of Energy & Climate Change has released figures displaying the numbers of households that have accessed the feed in tariff in regions, parliamentary constituencies and local authority areas across the country.
In Mid-Devon, some 787 properties per 10,000 have installed the technology – a figure that eclipses the closest challenger Wrexham. The area currently has 552 houses per 10,000 with photovoltaics.
Since April 2010, the research has found the some 362,000 homes in England, Scotland and Wales have had solar panels placed on domestic properties.
These households will be benefiting from generous incentives offered by the government, as energy generated can be fed back into the National Grid for a premium rate. This can be paid back in the form of single payments or money off future energy bills. These benefits are in addition to energy savings made using the sustainable technology.
The high rates of installations in the south of the UK could be attributed to the higher levels of sunshine that the area receives.
However, those who live in the gloomier areas of the UK should not be put off by installing solar panels on their property.
Savings can be made despite a perceived lack of sunshine. Panels still work during cold and wet weather, albeit at a lower performance, which means that households can still utilise solar energy to help power their home.
Furthermore, if cost-benefit is something of a concern, incentives such as the Green Deal can be taken advantage of, with panels able to be installed using government loans which can be paid back following savings on energy bills.
The loans are also tied to the property and not the bill payer, which allows for a great deal of flexibility when it comes to the possibility of moving home.
Chief executive of Regen South West Merlin Hyman told the BBC that properties in coastal areas will particularly benefit from solar panels as panels are cooled by strong breezes, making them more efficient.