A QUICK GUIDE TO WIND AND SOLAR ENERGY
By freelance journalist, Jane Kinsley - our volunteer writer who has supported the campaign since the launch in January 2006.
As the cost of energy continues to rise, many people are looking to renewable sources to power their homes and live more sustainably. The Government is committed to reducing carbon emissions and is spearheading initiatives to encourage the use of wind and solar energy.
If you are considering installing a wind turbine there are a number of facts you need to bear in mind. A wind turbine works on the wind speed, so it is important for you to site your turbine somewhere on your home where it will have as much exposure to the wind as possible. You can get an estimate of the annual mean wind speed for your location by entering the OS grid reference into the UK wind speed database on www.bwea.com/noabl/index.html
For larger machines you may have to pay rates and this will clearly make a difference to the economics of the installation so before going ahead, you should consult with your local council. You can also connect your wind turbine to the national grid, selling on additional energy you generate, but you must contact your electricity supplier to discuss the options. For further details, go online at www.bwea.com/ref/generating.html
Wind turbines are surprisingly quiet and, depending on the complexity of the job, can generally be fitted in around half a day. Their cost, efficiency and life expectancy, which can be up to 20 years providing they are serviced regularly, will differ depending on the type of turbine you choose. Swift and Windsave (www.renewabledevices.com/swift and www.windsave.co.uk) are just two of a number of suppliers across the country that can advise you on the best turbine to suit you.
The Swift Rooftop Wind Energy System costs £3,500 + 5% VAT. Subject to site and structural surveys, installation on a standard domestic property is £1,950 + 5% VAT, although new builds are exempt from paying tax. In comparison, Windsave’s standard roof top model, Plug ‘n’ Save costs £1,500 to install, subject to surveys.
The Swift product will supply approximately a third of your energy throughout the year, while Windsave expects to contribute around 20-30% to your annual household usage.
Payback on wind turbines will be influenced by a number of factors; namely if you received a grant to help fund your installation, the amount of electricity generated by your turbine, the frequency of good wind speeds and how much your turbine cost to install. Winsdsave and Swift believe you can achieve payback in a little as five to six years and around eight years respectively.
Solartwin (www.solartwin.com) is a Chester based company supplying solar
panel water heating (solar thermal) systems. It works by drawing cold water
from the bottom of your hot water cylinder, pumping it through a solar
panel, where it is heated, and feeding it back into the top of the cylinder
via the hot water vent pipe. Solartwin maximises the temperature by
floating
the hot water (unmixed) on cooler water below, so when you open your tap,
the hot water arrives first.
The pipes on Solartwin's panels are made of freeze-tolerant,
corrosion-resistant silicon rubber which can withstand extreme
temperatures.
The pump is photovoltaically (PV) powered, which means there are no
electrical installation or parasitic electricity costs. The system is self
regulating and because the pump is PV operated, it will work quickly in
good
light levels and slower in lower light levels resulting in the water having
a longer time to reach its optimum temperature. The installation can be
incorporated within your hot water system by reusing your existing hot
water
cylinder whenever possible.
Costs & Payback
As there are only two additional pipe runs from the hot water cylinder to
the roof fixed panel, two people can fit a standard Solartwin in under a
day. Alternatively, the company will fit it for you. The cost of the DIY
panel is £2,000. For a one-storey installation, the price is £2,950, while
two stories will cost £3,150. All prices include VAT and and are subject to
an 15 minute eco survey, which is carried out over the phone, to ensure
that
the right solution is provided. Your warranty is also portable, so if you
decide to move home, you can un-install and reinstall your panel in your
new
home.
Using current fuel prices, panels are designed to last around 20 years and
payback is considered to be between 12-15 years. Based on four people
living
in a house, Solartwin's panels will provide up to 70% of the hot water
needs
over the course of a year. If your water heating is fuelled by gas, each
panel can cut your yearly carbon dioxide emissions by a quarter of a tonne
and up to a tonne or more if you use other fossil fuels or electricity.
Overall, national planning policies support renewable energy, but it is always wise, and courteous, to inform your neighbours of your plans before installing a wind turbine or solar panels to your home. The use of renewables is set to increase and, in line with this, they have to follow strict criteria such as low noise levels, reliable operation, value for money, minimal visual intrusion and compliance with safety requirements, both structural and electrical.
The village of Ashton Hayes benefits from having an attractive Conservation Area and as Local Planning Authority, Chester City Council has a responsibility to ensure that any development within the Conservation Area will preserve and enhance its character and appearance.
The Council encourages and supports the use of alternative energy sources providing they are sensitively sited and designed. Professional Planners, working together with the Council’s Environmental Health Officers, are able to offer advice, but do need to be supplied with details of any application for wind or solar installations. The information should include digital photographs tailored to show the proposed position of wind turbines and/or solar panel equipment as well as manufacturers specifications. For further information contact Nick Smith on 01244 402582.
Until recently, grants of between £400 to £5,000 were available to households through Clear Skies, funded by DTI and managed by BRE. A new system, the Low Carbon Building Programme, is being introduced, but it is unclear at present how the new format will work in terms of grants, however, there is a booklet explaining the new initiative on the Department of Trade and Industry’s website (www.dti.gov.uk).