Alternative energy technology such as solar power, wind power or a biomass heaters offer an alternative to fossil fuels and will help you reduce the carbon dioxide you emit from your home.
Most people don't realise that investing in alternative energy can produce financial benefits too. In effect, you can purchase energy at today's prices and use it in the future when prices will be much greater.
Before you start tough, it is important that you minimise energy you require by ensuring that your home is fully insulated and by using energy efficient lighting and electrical appliances throughout.
Once the decision is made, installing alternative technology is really no more complicated than any other home improvement but make sure you do your research thoroughly.
Things to consider include:
- What sort of technology is best suited for your individual circumstances?
- Are you interested in generating electricity or providing heating?
- What size system will suit your needs?
- Which installer will you use and how will you pay for it?
- Investigate possible sources of funding because grants are available
- Will you need planning permission?
Make sure that the installer you choose is certified either with the Micro-generation Certification Scheme (in the UK) or the Solar Keymark (throughout Europe)
Let us assume that you have made your decision and after some thorough research have decided to install a solar system to generate electricity.
Solar electricity systems capture the sun's energy using photovoltaic (PV) cells. The cells convert sunlight into electricity which can then be used to run household appliances. PV cells don't need direct sunlight to work and can still generate electricity on a cloudy day. They are usually panels that can be attached to your roof or walls. Each cell is made from a semi-conducting material, usually silicon and when light shines on the cell electricity is produced. PV cells come in a variety of shapes and colours, from grey tiles that look like normal roof tiles to panels and transparent cells that can bed used on conservatories. The strength of a PV cell is measured in kilowatts (KW) and the figure quoted is the amount of energy the cell generates in full sunlight.
Solar electricity is green, renewable energy and it doesn't release any harmful carbon dioxide (or any other pollutant) into the atmosphere. A typical home PV system could save around one tonne of carbon dioxide per year and it should last for about twenty five years.
Sunshine is free, so once you've paid the initial installation costs your electricity costs should be greatly reduced. A typical home PV system can produce around 40% of the electricity a household uses in a year. If your system is producing more electricity than you need you could make some money by selling your energy to the national grid.
A south facing roof or wall will be needed that isn't overshadowed by large trees or large buildings. Solar panels are not light and the roof must be strong enough to take their weight. In the UK, you won't need planning permission for most home solar electricity systems, as long as they are less than a certain size. Please check with your local planning officer to make sure.
The cost of installing a solar electricity system can vary. An average system rated at 2.2 KW costs around £12,000. Solar electricity systems generally cost in the range of £5000 to £8,000 per KW although this should decrease as system size increases. Remember, the more electricity your system can generate, the more it will cost but the more it could save. Solar tiles cost more than conventional panels and panels built into a roof are more expensive than those that sit on top.
Savings can be considerable. A 2.2 KW system can generate around 40% of a household's yearly electricity needs. If the system is eligible to receive the Feed In Tariffs (FITs) it could generate savings and income of around £900 per year. Don't forget the 1 tonne of carbon dioxide emissions saved per year.
Maintenance is generally small. You will need to keep the panels clean and make sure trees don't begin to overshadow them.
Some companies are now offering free solar PV to customers in return for the income generated through FITs.
Most people don't realise that investing in alternative energy can produce financial benefits too. In effect, you can purchase energy at today's prices and use it in the future when prices will be much greater.
Before you start tough, it is important that you minimise energy you require by ensuring that your home is fully insulated and by using energy efficient lighting and electrical appliances throughout.
Once the decision is made, installing alternative technology is really no more complicated than any other home improvement but make sure you do your research thoroughly.
Things to consider include:
- What sort of technology is best suited for your individual circumstances?
- Are you interested in generating electricity or providing heating?
- What size system will suit your needs?
- Which installer will you use and how will you pay for it?
- Investigate possible sources of funding because grants are available
- Will you need planning permission?
Make sure that the installer you choose is certified either with the Micro-generation Certification Scheme (in the UK) or the Solar Keymark (throughout Europe)
Let us assume that you have made your decision and after some thorough research have decided to install a solar system to generate electricity.
Solar electricity systems capture the sun's energy using photovoltaic (PV) cells. The cells convert sunlight into electricity which can then be used to run household appliances. PV cells don't need direct sunlight to work and can still generate electricity on a cloudy day. They are usually panels that can be attached to your roof or walls. Each cell is made from a semi-conducting material, usually silicon and when light shines on the cell electricity is produced. PV cells come in a variety of shapes and colours, from grey tiles that look like normal roof tiles to panels and transparent cells that can bed used on conservatories. The strength of a PV cell is measured in kilowatts (KW) and the figure quoted is the amount of energy the cell generates in full sunlight.
Solar electricity is green, renewable energy and it doesn't release any harmful carbon dioxide (or any other pollutant) into the atmosphere. A typical home PV system could save around one tonne of carbon dioxide per year and it should last for about twenty five years.
Sunshine is free, so once you've paid the initial installation costs your electricity costs should be greatly reduced. A typical home PV system can produce around 40% of the electricity a household uses in a year. If your system is producing more electricity than you need you could make some money by selling your energy to the national grid.
A south facing roof or wall will be needed that isn't overshadowed by large trees or large buildings. Solar panels are not light and the roof must be strong enough to take their weight. In the UK, you won't need planning permission for most home solar electricity systems, as long as they are less than a certain size. Please check with your local planning officer to make sure.
The cost of installing a solar electricity system can vary. An average system rated at 2.2 KW costs around £12,000. Solar electricity systems generally cost in the range of £5000 to £8,000 per KW although this should decrease as system size increases. Remember, the more electricity your system can generate, the more it will cost but the more it could save. Solar tiles cost more than conventional panels and panels built into a roof are more expensive than those that sit on top.
Savings can be considerable. A 2.2 KW system can generate around 40% of a household's yearly electricity needs. If the system is eligible to receive the Feed In Tariffs (FITs) it could generate savings and income of around £900 per year. Don't forget the 1 tonne of carbon dioxide emissions saved per year.
Maintenance is generally small. You will need to keep the panels clean and make sure trees don't begin to overshadow them.
Some companies are now offering free solar PV to customers in return for the income generated through FITs.
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