‘I turned into a solar nerd’: money and fun were the unexpected benefits of installing panels

Our former environment correspondent had solar panels installed in 2010 and later added a heat pump. He's totted up the energy generated and cash saved over the years

An abiding memory of a day in August 2010, the first time my solar panels were connected to the grid, was of the builders downing tools and watching the electricity meter whiz round backwards.

It was a sunny day and they were supposed to be finishing the plastering and insulation, but the novel sight of the old-style electricity meter in reverse was too entertaining.