Renewable energy consultancy & installation

The main types of renewable energy that you may have heard of or can benefit from are solar (photovoltaic and thermal), biomass, air and ground heat pumps, wind turbines, hydro power and photovoltaic thermal power. For homes and construction, the main types are solar, biomass and photovoltaic energy.

• Sustainable energy supply
• Reduced carbon footprint
• Lower energy costs

Renewable energies don’t pollute, meaning they are fantastic for your energy portfolio and can also save costs in the long term after installation. Using natural energy, such as sunlight and heat, reduces the use of expensive fossil fuels, positively impacting the environment.

Renewable energy also delivers energy directly to the end-user or homeowner – it doesn’t require power lines or complicated, lengthy distribution. It is presumed that prices for renewable energy will decrease in the future, and governments will reward the use of ‘clean energy’.

Solar Photovoltaic is a solar cell system that captures sunlight and converts it directly into electricity. Solar panels are most commonly seen as solar energy panels and can be installed on the roofs of properties to provide energy. While you can’t get a total household’s energy from solar PV without storage batteries, it does reduce energy bills. The most popular option has a 4kW generation capacity and can usually be installed without special permissions.

In terms of renewable energy, Solar Photovoltaic is the most accessible form of technology and is largely maintenance-free for homeowners. As planning consent is not usually required (this should always be checked), it can be the best option to install.

To maximise the energy produced by the panels, they should be kept clean, and wiring and panel integrity should be regularly checked. They should also be free from shadows like those from neighbours’ trees.

Once working, they provide clean energy and reduce energy bills from more traditional sources. You can use an app to flag any issues with your panels so problems typically don’t go undetected.

Initial setup and installation costs of a 4kW array system starts from roughly £6,000, but it’s dependant on the scale of the system. After 10 years, there will be a cost of £600-£1000 to replace the inverter unit to ensure maximum energy is still being produced. This cost is typically ‘earnt back’ in 10-12 years. As these systems last 20 years, the remaining 8-10 years provide free energy.

Several incentives and subsidies are available for installing renewable energy systems in the UK. Some of the key incentives include:

1. Feed-in Tariffs (FiTs): The FiTs scheme provides financial incentives to individuals or organisations that generate renewable electricity. It pays a fixed rate per unit of electricity generated, even if it is used on-site. The scheme is available for solar PV, wind, hydro, and other renewable technologies.
2. Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI): The RHI scheme is designed to encourage the use of renewable heating systems in homes, businesses, and public buildings. It provides financial support to offset the cost of installing and operating eligible renewable heat technologies such as biomass boilers, heat pumps, and solar thermal systems.
3. Green Homes Grant: The Green Homes Grant was a temporary scheme introduced in 2020 to provide homeowners with vouchers to make energy-efficient improvements to their homes. Although the grant no longer accepts new applications, it aimed to support installing renewable heating systems, insulation, and other energy-saving measures.
4. Smart Export Guarantee (SEG): The SEG is a replacement for the FiTs scheme for small-scale renewable generation. It requires energy suppliers to offer payment for surplus electricity exported to the grid by eligible technologies such as solar PV and wind turbines. The rates offered vary between suppliers.
5. Enhanced Capital Allowances (ECAs): ECAs allow businesses to claim 100% first-year capital allowances on investments in certain energy-saving and water-efficient equipment, including renewable energy systems. This provides a tax incentive by reducing the business’s taxable profits.

It is important to note that the availability and specifics of these incentives may vary over time, so it is recommended to check the official government websites or contact us for the most up-to-date information.

While renewable energy has many benefits, there are some disadvantages to consider. One major drawback is the intermittent nature of certain renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind. These energy sources are dependent on weather conditions and may not always be available when needed.

Additionally, the upfront costs of installing renewable energy systems can be high, although they are often offset by long-term savings on energy bills. Some renewable energy technologies also require significant land or space for installation.

Solar photovoltaic systems convert sunlight directly into electricity using solar cells, while solar thermal systems use the sun’s heat to generate hot water or space heating. PV systems are more common for residential and commercial applications, while solar thermal systems are often used for water heating in homes and larger-scale applications.

The future of renewable energy looks promising. As technology advances and economies of scale improve, the costs of renewable energy systems are expected to continue decreasing. Governments and international organisations are also increasing their support for renewable energy, aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change.