If all that sounds a bit on the wild side, you need to catch up with the latest technology in fitting solar panels and read up on the Government's Feed-In Tariff Scheme.
Then find a reputable expert in solar panels and have them fitted to the roof.
We're all looking at ways of saving money and bringing in a little extra.
The beauty of fitting solar panels is that it covers both - you save on heating fuel bills and you receive a cheque for the extra electricity your roof generates and sells into the National Grid.
While Scotland can never boast Costa del Sol levels of sunshine, we attract enough light to make the systems work. And if you happen to be facing south, that's even better in terms of light availability.
Naturally, size does matter - you need a certain amount of sunshinecollecting panels to make the process viable. But an expert in the field has a simple mathematical formula to ensure you can install enough panels to do the job.
There are two popular systems available.
The first is the photovoltaic (PV) system and then there's solar water heating panels, which are pretty much self-explanatory.
The PV system will generate electricity that can be used to power lighting and the usual array of white goods in the home.
There's not a mass of work needed in the home, just an area required to house a meter and the input from the roof. Everything else works as normal.
You will pay at least pounds 10,000 for the panels and fitting but it's better to allow for about pounds 15,000 for the average home.
Consulting a reputable expert is a must. Find out which companies have a track record, supported by case histories and photographs of the finished results.
Don't be afraid to ask any householder you come across with a roof full of solar panels how they fared. A personal recommendation is the best you can get.
A good expert should be able, after a survey of your roof, to advise on how many panels you need, how much the work will cost and how much electricity you can expect to generate.
They should also be able to quote you a figure that you might expect in return for selling spare electricity back to the National Grid.
If you are one of the very few householders who, for various reasons, are not going to benefit, they should tell you so.
Selling power back under the Government-backed scheme will earn you a cheque every three months.
Use that, the overall cost of installation and projected savings on your current fuel bills to work out how many years it will take before you can say it was worth it.
Some people just opt for fitting a water-heating panel set-up. It saves cash, cuts your carbon footprint and could be a first step towards total reliance on solar panels.
It's a cheaper system to fit and you might expect to have to lay out less than pounds 5000 for endless hot water, available at all times.
Both systems are relatively easy to fit - in most cases, it takes just a day. An experienced solar company will use the best technology and panels that are up to the job and able to last for 25 years or so.
Maintaining them is pretty simple and there should be no major servicing costs. It doesn't matter if you own a country cottage or a major villa in town, the systems will work equally well, provided they are sited and fitted properly.
A good first step is to get on the internet and type in "solar panels".
As well as endless lists of companies prepared to help you out, you'll find organisations such as the Energy Saving Trust (www.
energysavingtrust.org.uk), who you can rely upon to give impartial and independent advice.
And it's important to remember that you might not just be saving cash and making money with such a system, you could also be adding a fair bit of value to your home should you decide to sell-up.
These eco-conscious days, would-be buyers give a lot more attention to a home that's economical to run - especially one that might generate a little income.
Source http://www.power-eng.com/
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