A growing number of property investors are looking to reap significant competitive advantages by shifting to a ‘green’ model of potentially adding value to a home.

This new model uses resources more efficiently and is creating an appetite for innovation in areas like solar power in the home, with fresh research carried out for OVO Energy revealing that around a quarter of all UK homes will have solar panels in the next few years.

It is estimated that about 6% of homes in the UK are currently fitted with solar panels, however almost one in five homeowners are planning to install them in the near future, the study said.

The majority of UK homes are not powered by solar energy for a variety of reasons, but the biggest deterrent for homeowners is the initial cost of solar panels, with 32% citing this as the main reason for not making the energy switch.

But some investors recognise that after the initial expense, solar panels have been proven to be extra efficient in paying for themselves – in terms of cutting energy bills and also allowing the householder the chance to be paid for the energy created.