New tariffs could present business opportunity for installers as more homeowners are considering solar technology.

Rising energy prices are causing homeowners to opt for solar technology, reports suggest.

Solar panel installer, HomeSun, saw visits to its website increase by 72% in just weeks.

The rise in interest coincides with various energy providers increasing their tariffs. npower has driven its rates up 5.1% while British Gas' rates have gone up by 7%.

This comes as the feed-in tariff, launched in April 2010, led to a record year for small-scale renewable energy installations, according to Ofgem.

According to the organisation, 42.5 MW of solar photovoltaic systems were installed between the April launch and December, a ten-fold increase of 2009 levels.