The government rebates on photovoltaic panels is a step in the right direction for eco-friendly generation of power, something I consider but have reservations about.

A superficial surf of the web highlights some issues. A major flaw in the past and current programmes is that the PVUs are bought from countries where the hot summer sun does not equate with ours. Some panels are less efficient when the sun is too hot while dirt, of which we have an abundance, further reduces their efficiency.

Moreover, for houses with no roof access, installing panels is a non-existent chance. According to the web, there are windows that function similar to rooftop panels, however, I could not find out if they are suitable for the hot Mediterranean sun or if they are available locally. Still, they seem an attractive alternative.

What’s the point of all this? The respective government departments should do some research before encouraging SMEs to invest in such panels and the companies should offer a choice.

The research I conducted from the local written information was only about the panels’ characteristics, such as monocrystalline or polycrystalline and so forth, nothing about how such units work. Experimental research to find the best panels, roof or window, should be conducted on local houses exposed to excessive sunlight.

Our forefathers were wise individuals when they built houses with heavy insulation against the summer heat and winter cold. Architects play a key role here. Insulation is poor in current practices of building houses; for those built in the era when I was building my house it was zilch.

I know that some bricks are being manufactured with built-in insulation, something that I would consider if I was building a house right now. Sadly, the majority of these have been destroyed and replaced by towering structures where insulation is doubtful and rooftop panel installation problematic.