IN THIS age of seeking to be energy efficient, it's becoming increasingly obvious that people are looking to spend now on the latest technology to save money in the longer term.

And since energy prices are steadily rising the option to install photovoltaic tiles on to the roof of existing buildings is becoming more enticing to the average person.

As most houses do not need planning permission to install solar panels on the roof, there is little now to prevent people making their homes suitable for the 21st Century.

Monmouthshire County Council have just revealed that the authority is getting at least one request a week for permission to erect photovoltaic panels on listed buildings or other non-dwellings like toilet blocks, schools and village halls.

One local community is already benefitting from the green energy bug as earlier this year the southern side of Pandy Village Hall's roof was covered in solar-energy powered photovoltaic panels.

The scheme was undertaken by members of the Crucorney Energy Group and chairman Andrew Erskin said their business plan could see as much as £3,000 being earned for the community every year by selling the electricity to the national grid.

To fund the project the Crucorney Energy Group applied for various grants, but with a government deadline approaching they had to quickly find the shortfall in funding.

The Pandy Village Hall Committee and Crucorney Community Council stumped up £5,000 and four people from the community loaned the group £15,000 in time for the March 18 deadline.

He said: " We've installed 42 panels on one side of the roof which generates around 9.66 kilowatts of electricity at its peak. In our business plan we anticipated that the sun would generate around 8,000 units a year.

"But in just five months our solar panels have generated over 5,000 units, which is almost £2,000 and I predict that by the end of October we will have reached our annual target.

"Anything generated during the remaining winter months will be an added bonus."

Mr Erskin added: "We are the first village hall in Monmouthshire to install photovoltaic panels and its been indicated that we are probably the first in Wales as well.

"It may have been a last minute struggle to secure the funding, but there is no doubt that solar power is as important for communities like ours as well as individuals especially as the installation costs are coming down.

"We shall tot up the figures in April and all things being equal we could almost double our projected target. And if this keeps up we might then be in a position to pay off the loans earlier than expected, but it all depends on the weather."