UK help for households generating alternative energy

[clothmama]

I thought this was really interesting and if I was in the UK would definitely be something that I would be looking into!

http://www.greenbuildingpress.co.uk/art ... cle_id=536

Great stuff!! I think the government need to do more to subsidise installation though, no good having the feed-in tariff if people can't afford the initial outlay (£3000 + a new boiler needed at a quick glance for our house).

[clothmama]

Absolutely Shadow, even if it was done as an offset thing for example if they paid your £3000 and boiler and all the 'profit' electricity (that they are estimating to be £900 a year) went to them for say the first 5 years. Or that they offered, through a bank I suppose, a special low / no interest loan that can be taken out soley for this purpose and paid back with the money you are 'earning' from it. Are there any 'green' banks ( on second thought probably not - dont' exactly go together green and bank ) that would perhaps be happy to do loans for such a good purpose? Opens all kinds of ideas doesn't it!

One point I particularly liked was that the income that you get from it is tax-free.

I did a lot of the research and campaigning on the feed-in tariffs

... and there are grants for installations too - see here: http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/Gen ... -offers-UK

Edited to say that I've just noticed that they've now taken off the grants for electricity producing technologies, only heat technologies included now.

Absolutely Shadow, even if it was done as an offset thing for example if they paid your £3000 and boiler and all the 'profit' electricity (that they are estimating to be £900 a year) went to them for say the first 5 years. Or that they offered, through a bank I suppose, a special low / no interest loan that can be taken out soley for this purpose and paid back with the money you are 'earning' from it. Are there any 'green' banks ( on second thought probably not - dont' exactly go together green and bank ) that would perhaps be happy to do loans for such a good purpose? Opens all kinds of ideas doesn't it!

One point I particularly liked was that the income that you get from it is tax-free.

I spent years trying to get this implemented. We couldn't do it ourselves (Energy Saving Trust) because of all the money-lending regs... tried to work with some of the banks to do something... when I left 16 months ago there was something in the pipeline with one of the banks, but I haven't heard anything since.... I think you may see something similar from a couple of the energy suppliers soon too.....

I think the government want to *look* as if they're doing something, but if it's going to cost them money then they won't bother. It's on paper, they can talk the talk so why walk the walk??

Reading through some of it too, it seems that combi-boilers aren't compatible, but isn't that the sort of boiler that is installed now?

Just filled in a survey and it seems none of the energy saving options would be suitable for our house! Dread to think what windspeed feels like where a wind turbine is suitable, there's always a breeze in our garden, let alone our roof!

I think the government want to *look* as if they're doing something, but if it's going to cost them money then they won't bother. It's on paper, they can talk the talk so why walk the walk??

Reading through some of it too, it seems that combi-boilers aren't compatible, but isn't that the sort of boiler that is installed now?

Just filled in a survey and it seems none of the energy saving options would be suitable for our house! Dread to think what windspeed feels like where a wind turbine is suitable, there's always a breeze in our garden, let alone our roof!

You can fit solar PV with any system - it's stand alone. Or are you talking about a hot water system Shadow?

That survey is very cautious about suggesting wind turbines.... if you are in urban area (by postcode) it will automatically discount the idea of a turbine because of wind turbulence... doesn't necessarily mean it isn't suitable though....

[clothmama]

I did a lot of the research and campaigning on the feed-in tariffs

... and there are grants for installations too - see here: http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/Gen ... -offers-UK

Edited to say that I've just noticed that they've now taken off the grants for electricity producing technologies, only heat technologies included now. (AAAAAgggh.... Government have MISSED THE POINT AGAIN!) 3p/kWh is a lot less support than the grants they were providing, and that was up front capital too. Oh jeez, I'm glad I don't have to fight these battles any more....

Great site, just been having a good nosey! I didnt' understand how ground source worked for example and now I do!

[clothmama]

Sorry managed to cross post there!

I think the government want to *look* as if they're doing something, but if it's going to cost them money then they won't bother. It's on paper, they can talk the talk so why walk the walk??

Reading through some of it too, it seems that combi-boilers aren't compatible, but isn't that the sort of boiler that is installed now?

Just filled in a survey and it seems none of the energy saving options would be suitable for our house! Dread to think what windspeed feels like where a wind turbine is suitable, there's always a breeze in our garden, let alone our roof!

I agree Shadow - we have a government like that here too I think most people are getting combi-boilers now in the UK which will certainly add a lot to cost for a lot of people

That's encouraging for people isn't it (NOT!!!! )to be told that I'm sure there must be something that would be right for you

I spent years trying to get this implemented. We couldn't do it ourselves (Energy Saving Trust) because of all the money-lending regs... tried to work with some of the banks to do something... when I left 16 months ago there was something in the pipeline with one of the banks, but I haven't heard anything since.... I think you may see something similar from a couple of the energy suppliers soon too.....

At least there may be some light out there somewhere then. All the things I looked at seem like they are at least £7,000 to install. I was also how shocked at how little the solar can actually do ie with the water heating it said that it can only do 1/3 of your domestic hot water, seems liek such a lot to spend if it can only do 1/3 of a job!

If we end up going back to France I'll be looking into being as green and self-sufficient as possible, a little discouraging some of it though, I presumed if we got solar for our water it would heat all our water, perhaps very naive of me! Perhaps one of everything would get us there but then we would have no money to renovate a house so would be living in a barn (OK a warm barn with hot water )

Your job would have been so interesting and fulfilling even if frustrating at times!