Renewable energy

PV solar panels

Over a third of all UK carbon emisions are generated in the home so any renewable energy generation or energy saving can have have a positive impact to help reduce climate change.

The low carbon building's programme (phase 1) LCBP1 is to receive an additional £10 million of funding. This sees the current programme extended from July 2010 to April 2011. The new funding will continue to support household applications and technologies offered under the current scheme. Householders can apply for grants of upto £2500 per property towards the cost of installing a certified product by a certified installer. For more details see: www.lowcarbonbuildings.org.uk/

There are several different types of renewable energy technologies to choose from and grants and funding are available to all householders to install renewable energy technology in their home.  A summary of renewable energy technologies is below.  For more detailed fact sheets please download them at the bottom of this page.

• PV solar cells. Installing photovoltaic cells on the roof of your home helps to cut down energy bills. It is also silent, gives off no pollution, and requires very little maintenance. PV cells can generate 25% of a household’s energy needs during the winter, and 75% during the summer. They cost between £8,000 and £18,000, but grants of upto 50% are available from the Energy Saving Trust low carbon buildings programme for PV solar cells.
• Wind Power. This uses the movement of wind to turn a turbine, which generates electricity. Ideal sites for wind turbines are smooth-top hills, with clear exposure to the air and free from obstructions such as large trees or buildings. Costs range from £2,500 to £5,000. Wind turbines are not generally recommended for mounting on domestic buildings.
• Ground Source Heat Systems. These are systems that pump heat from the ground into a building in order to provide central heating and/or heat water. Heat pumps are usually powered by electricity, and their rates are often one unit of electricity for every 3-4 units of heat. Typical systems cost between £6,400 and £9,400, plus the cost of the heat distribution system. Grants of upto 50% are available from the Energy Saving Trust low carbon buildings programme.
• Air Source Heat pumps utilise ambient heat from the air to produce heating (and in some cases cooling) via a heat exchanger. Grants of upto £900 are available from BERR. 
• Biomass. This can be used for heating systems or generating electricity. Using biomass contributes to the management of waste by harnessing the energy from landfill products. An average biomass system costs around £5,000. There are four methods for using biomass

1. Stand-alone stoves provide heating for rooms
2. Stoves with back boilers supply hot water
3. Ranges can be used for cooking
4. Boilers connect to central heating and hot water systems

• Small Scale Hydro.
• Solar Panels. Solar Thermal Systems use energy from the sun to heat up water for domestic needs. They are fitted to a building’s roof, and transfer heated water to a hot water tank. They operate through all daylight hours (even if the sky is overcast). Typical costs for installation range from £2,000 to £4,500.

Date Updated: 08/01/10

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Solar PV renewable techcnology	Solar PV renewable technology information leaflet	52KB 56Kbps Modem: Less than 1 Minute Broadband : Less than 1 Minute
Solar thermal renewable technology	Solar thermal renewable technology information leaflet	49KB 56Kbps Modem: Less than 1 Minute Broadband : Less than 1 Minute
Wind turbine renewable technology	Wind Turbine renewable technology information leaflet	43KB 56Kbps Modem: Less than 1 Minute Broadband : Less than 1 Minute
Ground source heat pump renewable technology	Ground source heat pump renewable technology information leaflet	56KB 56Kbps Modem: Less than 1 Minute Broadband : Less than 1 Minute
Hydro renewable technology	small hydro renewable technology information sheet	47KB 56Kbps Modem: Less than 1 Minute Broadband : Less than 1 Minute
Biomass wood fuel renewable technology	Biomass wood fuel technology information sheet	57KB 56Kbps Modem: Less than 1 Minute Broadband : Less than 1 Minute