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A record number of homeowners had solar panels installed this month, according to energy regulator Ofgem.

The devices have been fitted to 2,257 homes so far during August, up from 1,700 in July and 1,400 in June.

More than 6,688 homes have had solar panels fitted since April, when the government's scheme to reward people who generate their own energy altered.

The feed-in tariff system now enables homeowners to receive 41.3p for every unit of energy they generate.

This is regardless of whether they use the energy or sell it back to the National Grid.

After the panels are installed, the tariff is paid for 25 years and increased in line with inflation.

This replaces the previous system, under which people could obtain grants to help cover the cost of installing the green technology.

According to the Energy Saving Trust, solar panels usually cost between £6,000 and £12,000 to buy and install, depending on their size.

The panels most commonly installed by homeowners, consisting of eight panels able to generate up to 2.5kW, cost between £10,000 and £12,000.

The Trust calculates such panels could generate about £700 a year from the feed-in tariff, as well as saving homeowners about £100 a year on energy bills.

In addition, people could make about £25 to £30 through selling unused energy back to the National Grid.