Solar PV set to benefit Bristol residents
Residents in Bristol are set to benefit from solar PV technology after a local co-operative announced plans to install free panels on homes across the city.
Bristol Power is planning to introduce the scheme on a trial basis in Lockleaze. Should it prove successful, the co-op intends to make free solar panels available throughout the city. This would provide residents with access to free renewable energy, whilst money generated by exporting surplus electricity to the National Grid would be retained by Bristol Power.
The ambitious project comes after the British Government reduced Feed-In Tariffs (FITs) from 43p per kWh to 21p per kWh. Solar subsidies are expected to fall to 16p later this year and further reductions ought to be anticipated as the manufacturing cost of solar panels decreases.
Bristol Power is not a private company, however, which means that it does not exist to generate profit. Whilst private firms have criticised the decision to cut solar subsidies because it lessens their profit margins, Bristol Power, as a co-op, can possibly afford to operate in the sector on less favourable commercial terms. Any profit generated by the organisation must be reinvested in the initiative.
Bristol Power’s David Saunders explained: “We want to offer people the opportunity to join an energy co-operative which would give them the chance of solar panels on their roof and much cheaper annual electricity bills”.
Mr Saunders added: “In Bristol, there is enough roof space for 700 megawatts of solar power. That’s the equivalent of a decent sized power station”.
Residents in Lockleaze are set to become the first people to benefit from the scheme. Participants need not pay anything towards the cost of solar panels, as these will be supplied and installed using co-op funds.
During the spring and summer months, households will be able to enjoy free solar electricity generated by the panels. There will be times when participants must purchase energy from suppliers, but savings generated when the sun does shine (even through light cloud) should still equate to more than £200 a year. This could be enough to lift some families out of fuel poverty, whilst alleviating the burden of many others.
Published by David Holmes on May 17th, 2012 in Renewable Energy, solar
The Byker Wall biomass incinerator burned waste products for two decades before it was shut down. In 2000, Newcastle Council was prosecuted after tests revealed as much as 2,000 tonnes of harmful ash was released into the atmosphere.
According to the latest Renewables Guide press release, there is good news for UK homeowners as the Government announces a second phase for the renewable heat premium payment scheme, which will run from the 01 May 2012 to 31 March 2013.
The seemingly rapid decline had been expected by the solar industry, which criticised government officials for failing to realise the potential of one of the few areas of growth in the British economy. Prime Minister David Cameron, meanwhile, argued that FITs were no longer affordable and that reduced manufacturing costs of solar panels ought to balance out the subsidy cuts.
With increasing numbers of the British public recognising the need to switch from fossil fuels to clean green renewable energy, Friends of the Earth’s Clean British Energy Campaign – which has the support of Dragon’s Den star Deborah Meaden – is aiming to kick start an energy revolution.
According to Mr Yeo, the Green Deal is an excellent initiative, but its strong-arm tactics of forcing homeowners to install
One of Britain’s largest suppliers of energy efficient
According to the
The RHI is a government scheme designed to “revolutionise the way heat is generated and used in buildings and homes”. EBTech Solutions announced on Wednesday the biomass boilers would be installed at Glen Avon Growers in Cottingham.