By Matthew Legg Business editor

Last updated 05:40, Friday, 26 September 2008

SOLAR panels are ready to ditch their image as the poor relations of the renewable energy world and help save the planet and turn a profit.

Within reach: From left, Mike Morris from Cumbria Chamber of Commerce with businessmen David Blair and Donald Johnstone of Solar Solutions (GB) Ltd which installs solar tubes for heating and hot water, with the potential to cut bills by 80 per cent

That’s the view of two entrepreneurs who want to bring the technology to Cumbrian homes and businesses.

David Blair and Donald Johnstone have set up Solar Solutions (GB), a company installing solar tubes which can provide heating and hot water and could cut 80 per cent from heating bills.

Solar has long been derided as costly and inefficient, particularly in a cool climate like Cumbria’s, but advances mean that view is being revised, say David and Donald.

The duo has signed a deal with distributor Powertech to become sole suppliers of Apricus solar tubes in Cumbria.

They reckon the savings made on fuel bills mean the initial outlay is recouped in three to five years.

The tubes capture UV rays whether it is sunny or not, and can reach temperatures of 200 degrees Celsius. They work like a vacuum flask, so once captured the heat cannot escape.

David and Donald estimate an average household of four would need about 30 tubes.

David said: “They are within everyone’s price bracket and there is a three- to five-year pay back time.

“They can reduce carbon output by 2,000 kilos a year, which is the equivalent of planting 2,000 trees. They work like sunglasses but in reverse, capturing rather than blocking UV rays.

“It doesn’t have to be sunny for them to take in UV and because they are round they pick up rays from every angle not just overhead.”

David, who was born in Mirehouse, Whitehaven, and travelled the world before settling in Carlisle, became a solar convert while investigating installing them at home.

He added: “Donald was visiting and we got talking about it and decided to look at what was on the market. This company Apricus kept coming up.

“I was looking for a business venture so I rang up the directors, arranged to meet and they agreed we could represent the company and sell their products up here.”

Maryport plumbing firm Blue Flame will do the installation work.

David said: “We want to bring honesty and integrity to the business and operate in the traditional Cumbrian way by being honest with people.

“We are not going to go down the double glazing route of turning up at people’s houses and high-pressure selling, but offering an honest price, take it or leave it.

“We are committed to Cumbria, we want to take on about seven guys this year and make contributions to local charities and projects.”

The firm is currently installing tubes at houses in Cockermouth and Flimby and has a deal to fit them at a factory in west Cumbria.

They hope to devote half their time to industry.

Donald said: “We want to do work with housing associations and hospitals. A hospital down south has switched to solar and saved about 80 per cent off its fuel bills. Imagine what you could do with that money in a hospital.”

For more information call David on 01228 577071 or visit www.cumbriasolar.com.