March 27, 2012

Solar Power – Bring Us Sunshine…

Filed under: Renewable Energy — Tags: , , , — Newsroom @ 12:12 pm

The Government’s final attempt to cut the FiT was defeated last Friday, 23rd March (2012) when the Supreme Court refused to allow their appeal.  This related to a problem created by the government when they attempted to change the date by which solar installations were able to receive the full 43.3p kW subsidy.  The government wanted to bring the date forward to 12th December 2011 as being the cut-off date for receiving the full FiT payment.   They planned to reduce the payment to 21p from that date, rather than the previously agreed date of 3rd March 2012.

This resulted in a fiasco which has caused a major hiatus for many solar installation companies.  Smaller firms were badly affected when the government first announced the change in dates.   For many the waiting game proved to be too difficult, as customers who were anticipating the full FiT payment of 43.3p decided not to proceed when they were told that the subsidy would be reduced.

The Way Ahead

Greg Barker, the Energy and Climate Change minister has now stated that much of the “red tape was being removed from those who wanted to become accredited installers, including the requirements to have a surety bond in place prior to being authorised; to hold warranties for the 25 year of the plan when they were longer than standard industry warranties, e.g. for boilers; and the requirement that installers pay for an Independent Conciliation Service”.

Mr Barker also tried to allay concerns that implementation of the Green Deal would be delayed, stating that a “managed” roll-out would proceed.  In other words the minister isn’t anticipating that the whole scheme will be ready on the due date.  He continued by stating that the government will respond to the Green Deal consultation in April and that further legislation will be in place by the summer recess.

There will also be a new Green Deal Ombudsman appointed who will be able to handle complaints.

Visits to Properties with Green Technology Installed

During this last weekend business and residential customers who had already installed green equipment or upgrades, allowed visitors into their properties so that it was possible to see various installations.  These included, at one end simple draught proofing and insulation, to other premises with woodchip fired boilers or solar water heating systems.

The weekend was a great success as people who had seen solar panels on neighbours’ roofs were able to get information as to the benefits from those customers who actually knew the advantages.  Although the majority of people were aware of the FiT there appeared to be only limited knowledge regarding the Renewable Energy Incentive and the Green Deal which showed the need for further publicity.

The Green Deal Must be Inclusive

Whilst opening up premises with green technologies already installed is a great way forward there is still a sector of the public who must be included and advised about their best options.  The more vulnerable customers who don’t look to change suppliers and aren’t aware of the free insulation and other services available to them need to have additional support.

March 12, 2012

Green Technology is Here to Stay

Filed under: Renewable Energy — Tags: , , — Newsroom @ 1:45 pm

Further to explanations which we started on Friday, 9th March, a question was posed to me over the weekend relating to green technology.  I was asked what it is and will it go away.

I must admit that I was quite surprised by the question.  Although there are many people who don’t necessarily embrace change as readily as others, I thought that green technology or alternative methods for electricity and gas supplies had been recognised by virtually everyone.  I made a few phone calls to older neighbours over the weekend, and to my relief they were all aware of green technology, particularly solar power.

I think that it may be the words “green technology” which concern and may confuse people rather than asking specifically asking about alternatives to gas and electricity.

Biomass Boilers

These are great for businesses and private consumers who live in an area without mains gas.  There are a considerable number of properties which are, although not isolated, may not have mains services.  It is perfectly feasible to live comfortably without access to mains services now that there so many alternatives available.

A biomass boiler can provide heating and hot water by using wood pellets or chips to generate the heat.  The pellets do require some storage facilities but this is a really sustainable form of heating even though the wood burning does release CO2.  Trees are grown specifically for the purpose, cut down and further trees are planted to replenish them.

Other Alternatives

There are several other forms of alternatives to electricity and gas, and during the next few years there will be variants from the original green technology.  Air Source Heat Pumps extract the heat from the air.  It then converts it into heat for the premises and is used in conjunction with an existing central heating system or underfloor heating system.  Some electricity is necessary to run the system, but the benefits gained far outweigh the costs of the electricity.

Another new system is the Micro-combined Heat and Power which like an existing boiler can also provide heat.  It also generates low carbon electricity which then reduces electricity bills.  The micro-combined boiler burns gas, some of which is converted into electricity.  By a somewhat convoluted method the overall result does provide savings for the consumer.

Consult an Expert

It really isn’t necessary for either the business or residential customer to know exactly how these systems work; it is enough for the vast majority of people to know that they do work.  In many cases the car owner puts fuel in his car and the car takes him from one place to another without any problems.  The driver doesn’t need to know the workings of the engine – unless he is particularly interested.

The independent energy consultant is able to provide the customer with all the information, and to discuss the best options for them.

Tomorrow we’ll look at the way in which they will be able to assist your business.

March 9, 2012

Plan For The Future With Green Technology

Filed under: Renewable Energy — Tags: , , , , — Newsroom @ 2:25 pm

When you mention green technology to both commercial and residential consumers, on many occasions there can still be a glaze which comes across their eyes.  In a high proportion of cases it isn’t that the person doesn’t understand the principle, it’s usually that they don’t know the terminology.   This then leads them to believe that they really don’t know what the experts are discussing.

This can be seen as patronising – when a government minister, or the head of a multi-million pound company use words and phrases that the rest of us consumers don’t understand we either don’t listen any more, change channels on the TV or radio and then let our minds wander on to more interesting subjects.

We don’t want to be treated like children; we just would like to have the information given to us in palatable chunks with even the occasional light-hearted comment thrown in for good measure.

Microgeneration

This is a title given to providing alternative forms of energy to the normal gas and electricity supplied by the big six energy companies.

Solar Energy

This is available in two different forms.   There is Solar Water Heating which does exactly as it states.  It provides hot water from solar panels which are fitted onto a roof.  This hot water is stored in a cylinder until required.  If there isn’t sufficient hot water provided by the solar panels then it can be topped up by the use of an immersion heater.  The use of solar panels for heating hot water is particularly popular in the UK as it doesn’t require the sun to shine in order to provide hot water.  They will reduce the consumption of energy enormously, leading to much lower energy bills.

The second form of solar energy is when the sun’s energy is converted into electricity.  This is known as Photovoltaic Solar Heating which is where the sunlight shines on the panels which usually has some layers of silicone.  The resulting electric field caused by the sunlight generates electricity.

Turbines

In the UK we are all aware of Wind Turbines.   The blades are turned by wind power which produces electricity which can be stored and used when required.  Excess electricity can also be sold back to the national grid.  We have some very windy locations in the UK which will ensure that producing electricity by this method can be sustainable over a considerable period of time.

This can be used in both commercial and residential properties and is a particularly efficient way to heat a home by using conventional central heating radiators or as underfloor heating.

There obviously needs to be the space for the turbine and the underground piping which is necessary.   Properties in very rural locations may find that this is a viable alternative which is likely to become more popular over the next few years.

Large companies are also choosing to use wind turbines to provide their electricity and just to give one example Ford UK now have three wind turbines supplying electricity for their Dagenham site.

 

There are further types of green technology which we’ll continue with next week.

March 8, 2012

Feed-in Tariffs

Filed under: Renewable Energy — Tags: , , — Newsroom @ 4:34 pm

There was a rocky end to 2011 when the government decided to change the date for companies and households planning to install photovoltaic solar panels.  It had previously been agreed that customers would receive the full rate of 43.3p for selling excess energy back to the national grid by the feed-in tariff scheme.

In the early part of November 2011 there was some considerable controversy when the government announced that they were going to reduce these payments earlier than expected, thus causing problems for those customers who had planned the installation of solar panels during the early part of 2012.

The government went to court to defend their actions which were considered to be illegal and in fact, they did lose their case.  They made an appeal and lost but the final ramifications aren’t yet known.

Solar Panel UK Roadshow

This tour is on the fourth stage of its journey and was in London yesterday, Wednesday 7th March, 2012.  It discussed how the FiT reduced payments have impacted on the industry and the best way to move forward during 2012.  The roadshow was in Manchester earlier this week and had a packed audience.  There is obviously still considerable interest in green technology.

Changes to EPC Requirements

Properties need to hold a level D EPC from the 1st April 2012 in order to be able to receive the full amount of FiT.  All documentation needs to be sent with the EPC to be able to make the claim.

Although the legal issues regarding the FiT payments have caused considerable problems during the past few months the tariff will be 43.3p up to 1st April 2012 for all systems which were registered in the period from 12th December 2011 to 3rd March.  This is irrelevant of the result of the appeal.

The tariff is due to change again in July, with a further five per cent reduction on the July figure being implemented in October.  Thereafter it will be reviewed every six months.

The Current Situation

The ongoing problems have caused more than a headache for the solar installers who had spent considerable monies in recruiting additional fitters for the PV systems.  With the flux in the market likely to continue for some time this isn’t a satisfactory situation for anyone.  The government are digging their heels in so will need to wait for the final outcome.

The price of solar installations has reduced dramatically over a short period of time, and it may well be that this will need to continue in order to kick-start the business again now that the customers won’t be receiving the amount they anticipated some time ago.  If the customer isn’t going to receive a reasonable return on their investment the government’s green deal may end up being a damp squib.  Only time will tell whether this is the case.

November 9, 2011

Let’s not Speculate – Wait for Official Confirmation

Filed under: Renewable Energy — Tags: , — Newsroom @ 11:18 am

There are altogether too many contradictory pieces of information regarding the solar panel installations and FiT payments.  Different suggestions are being bandied around almost hourly.  At this point there isn’t anything which can be done and until either the government or some other official body confirms their position it isn’t helpful to anyone to continue with speculations.

The end of the consultancy period – 23rd December, and the date from which the changes in the proposed FiT payments are going to be reduced, 12th December, are the only dates mentioned at this point.   There isn’t sufficient detail of how, why and when changes will happen and in what time-frame.  At the moment it has been said that the reduced FiT payments will be applied from the beginning of the new financial year in April but will also apply retrospectively to installations from 12th December 2011.

It has been stated that this is the beginning of the end for the government’s green deal with the number of companies and people involved in the installation of the new technology having rapidly increased to around 27,000.   One of the main problems appears to have been that the FiT payments when selling excess electricity back to the national grid have been used to encourage people to progress their initial interest into a firm commitment to have the solar panels installed.  Many of these installations can’t happen before the FiT payments reduce which is expected to affect the numbers of businesses and homeowners willing to proceed.

The whole industry has galloped along, well ahead of the level which had been expected.  The number of new recruits and training offered had snowballed and eventually there was bound to be some sort of rift or breakdown.

There are now news items stating that there will be many firms of installers which will go out of business due to the revelations of the change to the FiT payments.

There were probably too many firms with one or two installers who had decided to use the opportunities which were bound to increase their business that recruited and trained new installers.  The number of unemployed people meant that one advertisement for staff brought a high number of responses and from then on the proposed expansion at the firm who were planning on taking on one person may have persuaded the company to employ additional trainee installers.

There needs to be a few weeks where nothing is said until firm commitments have been made by the government as to the way ahead.  The change toward moving to green technology will continue in one format or another – however this may have slowed it down.  Perhaps a few quiet weeks whilst everything is confirmed will give the opportunity for installers to catch their breath and consider whether they want to put all their eggs into this one particular basket.

November 3, 2011

Help Yourself – To Reduce Costs

Filed under: Renewable Energy — Tags: , , , — Newsroom @ 11:55 am

There is a considerable amount of information which gives details of renewable energy sources as well as the government’s green deal.   Leaflets and emails are being sent about loft and cavity wall insulation.   Even with all the publicity, it is surprising how many people still aren’t aware of the need to save energy.  Interestingly, the younger the person, the more knowledge they appear to have, although whether it is purely superficial and acquired from news headlines hasn’t been clarified.

We are fortunate that we are into November with the weather still relatively mild, which is a bonus.  Every week we can manage without needing the central heating being switch on for too long is a distinct advantage.  The average gas and electric bills for each household is now approximately £1300 per annum according to the latest figures available after the last increases by the energy suppliers.  Many people pay for their energy by direct debit and have a dual-fuel tariff as this is the most cost effective.  Changing energy suppliers in the future will be made easier, under new guidelines from the government and Ofgem, so that switching providers should take less than three weeks.

There are still a majority of homes where low energy bulbs still aren’t being utilised at all, as people consider that they are too expensive to buy.  However, the saving in the amount of electricity they use, plus the length of time that each bulb will last, certainly outweighs the objections.  Even if just one low energy bulb can be bought every month it will make a substantial difference to the electricity bill.  The same applies to turning down the central heating boiler by one degree and individual thermostats when rooms aren’t being used.  These are only small changes in themselves, but even small reductions will result in lower energy bills.

A really good way to save energy is by cooking as many items as possible all at the same time.  Most ovens take quite a long time to heat up to the required temperature and of course to cool down at the end of the cooking.  Try to organise timings so everything is started when the oven is at its hottest, and then the temperature can be reduced when required.  Add extra items to the oven when it reaches the right temperature for them.  Batch cook large casseroles, which can be frozen down in smaller portions and brought out, defrosted thoroughly and reheated when required.  It may take a little time to get used to cooking more than one meal at a time but it will reduce your energy bills and may even give a little extra time.

Make a few simple changes in the way you use energy, and in the end substantial savings can made on your energy bills.  If additional loft and cavity wall insulation can also be installed these will provide a great opportunity to further reduce energy bills.

October 14, 2011

Ready, Steady…We’re On the Way!

Filed under: Renewable Energy — Tags: , , , — Newsroom @ 12:45 pm

Further to my comments regarding the increased opportunities for work within the alternative technology market there is a report, just available, which states that over the last eighteen months the numbers of workers in the solar industry has leapt from 3,000 to 25,000.  These numbers are set to increase further and by the end of this financial year may be as high as 32,000.

The launch of the government’s Feed in Tariff (FiT) in April 2010 provided the momentum for the renewable energy generation within the UK.  The FiT guarantees an inflation-linked income for twenty five years for on-site installations of renewable electricity which are less than five megawatts.

The number of workers employed in the solar industry may even be much higher than estimated as they only account for the domestic market.  When account is taken for the businesses who are also purchasing installations then the number will increase by a huge percentage.  There are currently 4,000 solar companies registered with REAL (Renewable Energy Association).

The numbers quoted above are the people who are involved in the installation of solar panels they but don’t account for ancillary staff levels.  In addition to the registered solar companies there are also 60 more companies involved in the solar manufacturing supply industry and a further six companies with solar manufacturing and assembly plants.

There are currently 81,000 homes in the UK which have already had solar panel installed.  There is a capacity issue as installations are running ahead of the FiT budget.  This is a situation which needs to be managed as quickly as possible.

As the industry is increasing rapidly, the cost of the solar installations is reducing.  That obviously is a bonus for everyone.

The energy market as a whole is in the middle of tremendous change.  It is still essential for everyone to do their best to reduce the amount of energy being used, in the workplace as well as the residential market.  Independent energy brokers are needed to give advice on the most appropriate method for individual companies.  This isn’t a situation whereby every business is the same as every other.  A broker has the experience and expertise to explain to the customer which is the best way ahead.  The same broker can then put in place all the relevant pieces of the jigsaw.  They will arrange for any installation which is required, so that the business owner is able to relinquish everything to do with it.

These brokers are an essential part of making the UK a greener place.  Many business owners don’t really want to be bothered in trying to make the arrangements themselves.  They have enough to do with keeping their business afloat, so when the expertise is available for them, just let them get on with the job!

We are at the start of a really interesting period in which we are looking at the new technology and the way that it benefits us.  Local councils throughout the UK are sending out literature explaining about the help which they can offer us.  Let us hope that everything is soon ready for the boom, which will surely involve us all.

October 11, 2011

Take Your Time – You’ll Know when it’s Right!

Filed under: Renewable Energy — Tags: , , , , — Newsroom @ 10:38 am

In the past couple of weeks there has been a huge influx of emails and post advising me of the advantages of solar panels.  In every case the inference is that the decision needs to be taken immediately otherwise the opportunity may pass – for ever!

This of course is absolute rubbish and companies currently want the business in all areas across the UK – in that way they can advertise that “a local home” has had solar panels installed.  The more popular and as advertising becomes more obvious there may be a waiting list to have photovoltaic solar panels fitted.

There will be a huge uptake in the fullness of time, when the UK population as a whole realise the benefits – however, trying to persuade people into doing something, isn’t the best way to gain business.  I will, when I choose, definitely have solar panels fitted, and I’m sure that many other UK residents and business owners feel exactly the same.  We do know the benefits but being slightly awkward by nature, we will have them fitted at a time chosen by us.

In the meantime we have reduced energy costs as much as possible.  We do have low energy light bulbs, and in readiness for the winter we have tinfoil behind every radiator.  We haven’t felt the need to switch the central heating on yet, but we do have individual thermostats on every radiator and switch them to minimum in the spare bedrooms.

I am occasionally asked the best way for a business to reduce its energy bills.   I know many people who own their own business in various industries and strangely, whilst at home they automatically make attempts to save electricity and gas, when at work it is a totally different matter.  In the workplace they grumble about the cost of their energy bills, but they haven’t done anything to reduce them!

The best way of dealing with the ever increasing energy costs at work is to make a member of staff responsible for getting all the information, and give them the authority to contact an independent energy broker to arrange an energy audit of the premises.  The broker will be able to give advice on green technology and whether it will be beneficial for your situation.

Remember that in the workplace there are many machines being used at all times, so when it is the end of the day, switch all non-essential computers etc off rather than leaving them on stand-by.  By making small changes it is possible to reduce the electricity and gas bill by a significant amount.  Check you usage regularly, and if you suddenly notice an increase, make the effort to establish what has changed to cause the difference.

A little thought may make huge savings which for those with quite small businesses and low profit levels may make the difference between success and failure.

October 5, 2011

Going Green? Go One Shade at a Time!

Filed under: Renewable Energy — Tags: — admin @ 10:29 am

The Government’s Green Deal is moving swiftly forward, even though many UK residents aren’t actually aware of its ramifications.  Hopefully as the general public receive greater information they will be a tad more enthusiastic about it and the benefits to all.

Before anyone rushes into making major decisions regarding their energy suppliers and which purchases they are going to make, let’s take things a little more slowly and establish what can be done without spending too much money.

Whether you own a small business or are a residential consumer you need to know that by spending your hard earned money it is going to reap benefits.  There’s no sense in spending £5,000 on something which saves £2.50 each week.  On that basis it’ll take approximately forty years to recoup the capital outlay before any loss of interest is considered.  The issue is to spend money when you know that it is worth it.

Loft insulation is a really good way of reducing energy bills.  There is usually a grant which covers the cost.  Alternatively the cost of buying insulation materials isn’t likely to be more than about £200, obviously depending on the size of the roof space in your home.  As hot air rises, if there isn’t sufficient insulation, a high proportion of your energy will disappear through the roof.  Look to obtain the highest level of insulation possible.

Cavity wall insulation is another area where there may be a grant available.  This is sometimes age related, and applies to those people of ‘’retirement age” or maybe over sixty.  Whatever the current stipulations are, it is well worth looking to find out whether your property is eligible. If you are able to access a grant for cavity wall insulation and if your property is suitable, then this is obviously worth applying for; however if a grant isn’t available at the present time, keep checking as the situation does change from time to time.

The savings to the energy bill following cavity wall insulation aren’t huge.  If however they are combined with other energy saving measures then the overall reductions in the energy bill is worth pursuing.  As a stand-alone energy saving measure, if there is a suitable grant available to completely cover the cost of installation then it is worth going ahead.

The major savings can be paid by reducing the central heating by one degree which will allow savings of approximately ten per cent from the fuel bill.  Consider using a piece of tinfoil behind the radiator which will allow the heat to reflect back into the room.  Also purchase low energy light bulbs which will show substantial savings on the energy bill.

Double glazing will certainly reduce the energy bills and also will make any building feel considerably warmer.  The initial outlay can be quite expensive, but there are many deals available, and the majority of these are interest free.  As long as the payments are affordable this is something which is well worthy of consideration, particularly when there won’t be any need to paint the window frames!

September 13, 2011

Let’s Save – Then We Can Spend!

Filed under: Renewable Energy — Tags: , , — Newsroom @ 11:37 am

With energy prices spiralling out of control and there being nothing to redress the balance, perhaps it is time to look at little more closely into what is available from the alternate green and micro generation market.

The cost of installation of most systems will be beyond the reach of many small business owners; however, for those who perhaps share a building with other small businesses, or perhaps a small business park, then there could be an opportunity to pool resources with a view to obtaining lower prices.

Everyone is aware that the huge supermarkets are able to bring products to their shelves at a much lower price than the independent retailers would even need to pay – let alone sell the items.  Buying power is what separates these large companies from their very much smaller and poorer relations.

There are many different options for micro generation installations.  Three of the most familiar are solar panels, wind turbines and biomass boilers, which are fuelled by woodchips and pellets.

Although these alternative heat sources are thought of for commercial and industrial use they are all able to be used within residential properties.  Some architects are being requested to include one of the elements of micro generation installation in planning applications for new properties.

At the moment there are many UK residents who aren’t aware about green technology, and even more people haven’t realised that the government new green deal relates to energy efficiency.  There needs to be a considerable amount of education provided before the UK residents are comfortable with the level of knowledge they have regarding energy efficiency as a whole, never mind micro generation, carbon footprints and greenhouse gas.  There have been so many different alternative concepts which have been primarily targeted at the business owner, that the residents of the UK who aren’t in business have been overlooked.  We’re not idiots, but all the information needs to be easily accessible, together with news items and documentaries explaining the differences between one source of sustainable energy and another.

Once the adult population within the UK are totally aware of the alternatives including installation costs and ongoing income and expenses, then we can ask people to be involved.  At this time, when a high percentage of the population aren’t aware of even basic information regarding alternative forms of energy, then it is unfair and unrealistic to expect everyone to be overly enthusiastic about any new technology.

At present when twenty-five percent of people who were asked about double glazing, cavity wall and loft insulation said that they weren’t interested in installing any of these to reduce energy costs within their homes, it appears unrealistic to be discussing biomass heating systems.

Let’s make sure that everyone knows the basic information regarding saving energy and increasing efficiency in the present energy, before trying to persuade us all to invest again in an alternative form of heating.

Older Posts »