Renewable Energy - Solar Energy for Homes | ECO Friendly Solutions

Renewable Energy is an important subject worldwide with oil and gas prices rising and levels depreciating. The UK government is committed to delivering a share of the EU's target to generate 20% of energy from renewable sources by 2020, so there is a large focus on renewable energy in the UK, most notably Solar Energy.

When it comes to domestic households, 75% of energy consumption is for heating and hot water; therefore it is no big surprise that there is a big push on alternative energy for heat and water in the home. The most well used alternative energy source in the UK is solar energy; here at Solar Pages we have collated the key solar energy facts to help in your search for an alternative energy source for the home.

What is renewable energy?

Renewable energy is energy generated from natural resources such as sunlight, wind, rain, tides, and geothermal heat and therefore does not rely on fossil fuels, which are depreciating and will eventually run out. Renewable energy sources naturally replenish themselves; it is our development in science that is helping us to become more efficient at using the resources available to us. It is a constant focus area for scientists to develop new advances in alternative energy for homes; currently the most popular form of renewable energy available for households in the UK is Solar Energy.

There are common misconceptions and misunderstandings about renewable energy so at Solar Pages we have compiled the key solar energy facts and the alternative options available to help in your search for alternative energy for your home.

 

Heat Pumps providing alternative energy for the home

Another way of producing alternative energy for the home is via heat pumps. There are three main types of heat pump; ground source, air source and water source. Heat pumps do require electricity to run but produce more heat energy than the electricity they use so are a good option to consider if there is no access to mains gas. Heat pumps are best suited to underfloor heating, but this is not an essential.

How do Ground Source Heat Pumps work?

A loop of pipe is filled with anti-freeze and water and is buried in the ground, it depends on the space available, but usually this would be a 1.5m deep trench or a borehole. The liquid within the pipe is heated using heat from the ground, which in the UK is relatively stable between 8 and 12 degrees all year. The water is passed through an electrically driven heat pump where the heat is then extracted and the liquid is passed back down the loop to heat again. Mains electricity is then used to send the heat from the heat pump in the ground to heat the water in the tank for the heating system.

Air Source Heat Pumps

Air source pumps are similar in the way they work, but instead of taking heat from the ground they instead extract heat from the air this is done using an evaporator coil. The air source pumps are more noticeable as they are fixed to an outside wall of a property and look similar to the large fan air conditioning unit.

Water Source Heat Pumps

Water source heat pumps follow the same process as ground and air but are not a common option for most households, as they require access to a stream, river, or lake.

How much do heat pumps cost?

Ground source heat pumps range from about £9,000 to £17,000 in cost and air source pumps are between about £6,000 and £10,000. If the household chooses to change the heating system to underfloor heating this can cost between £2,000 and £5,000 depending on the size of property.

Are there any incentives available for using Heat Pumps?

It is predicted that heat pumps will be eligible for the second phase of the renewable heat incentive which will start in October 2012, more information to follow on this as and when it is available.

From 1st August 2011 until 31st March 2012, renewable heat premium payments are available; this may end sooner if the money runs out. These payments are a one off grant towards putting a heat pump into your property; the amounts are £1,250 for ground source and £850 for air source. You would need to contact the Energy Saving Trust to find out about this.

Will I require planning permission to install a heat pump?

Currently ground source heat pumps do not tend to require planning permission, but air source heat pumps do. In either case it is worth contacting your local authority first just to make sure, this will be a must if you live in a listed building or conservation area.

Micro-CHP as an alternative energy source for the home

Micro-CHP, or by its full name, Micro combined heat and power is another type of alternative energy for the home. It is a heating technology that uses one source to create heat and electricity simultaneously in individual properties. It is possible to send any electricity produced and not used back to the grid using Micro-CHP.

What types of Micro-CHP are available?

There are three different types of Micro-CHP systems; Stirling engine, fuel cell and internal combustion. Fuel cell is very new to the market and is not currently available to consumers in the UK as it is still in its development stage. Stirling Engine Micro-CHP is also fairly new to the market but is available to be installed in UK homes. Internal combustion Micro-CHP is the oldest of the technologies and is most proven, but this works best in large commercial buildings.

How does Micro-CHP work?

In the home, most Micro-CHP systems use mains gas or LPG as the fuel to heat them; oil and bio-fuels can be used in some systems. The technology is classed as a 'low carbon technology' as it does rely on fossil fuels but it is much more efficient than burning them for traditional heat and electricity processes.

Stirling Engine Micro-CHP is the most popular option for UK households currently; one of the key benefits is that it requires a shorter warm up time compared to other methods. Micro-CHP works similarly to a standard gas boiler, it is possible to be floor standing or wall mounted and tend to be similar in size. Electricity is only produced when heat is being produced, i.e. the heating is turned on. The steam produced by heating the water for the households heating is collected and used to produce electricity using the Stirling engine.

Micro-CHP is not a complete alternative from taking electricity from the grid, but is aimed to reduce the volume needed from the grid for a household.

Before considering Micro-CHP

It is important to consider your heat and electricity uses before looking seriously at Micro-CHP. Electricity is only generated when there is a heat demand so if the property in question is very well insulated and does not have a high need for the heating to be turned on, then the electricity produced will be minimal. Micro-CHP best suits properties with a high demand for heating that cannot be reduced by means of insulation, draught proofing or other low carbon heat technologies.

How much does a Micro-CHP system cost?

Micro-CHP systems tend to cost between £4,000 and £8,000. There is a feed-in tariff scheme available, the 'Clean Energy Cashback' scheme. For the first 30,000 people to install Micro-CHP they will be paid 10.5p per kWh of electricity generated plus there is an additional 3.1p per kWh for any electricity exported back to the national grid. This scheme will run for 10 years but is then subject to review. The cost for servicing and maintenance is estimated to be similar to a standard boiler, but will require a specialist who is able to work on Micro-CHP systems.

Biomass Boilers/Heating as an alternative energy source for the home

Another renewable energy source that can be used for the home are biomass boilers. There are a variety of different fuels that can be used to run a biomass boiler, but most common for domestic uses is wood, this can be wood chips, logs or pellets. A big difference with biomass boilers to other alternative energy sources is that there is an ongoing cost for the fuel.

How do Biomass boilers work?

As a heating source wood is not new to us, it has been around for years, but over time has become a lot more efficient than just having an open fire. Modern wood-burning stoves convert approximately 70% of the fuel into useful heat, with a back boiler attached they can also be used to heat water for use or to supply some radiators. Even more efficient are automatic pellet stoves, which convert at about 85-90% efficiency. Instead of the traditional way of allowing heat to radiate, instead these stoves use a fan to circulate the heat resulting in the room being heated more evenly. Biomass boilers can be used as a replacement to gas or oil boilers to heat water, radiators and underfloor heating. The most advanced types of biomass boiler will be fully automated making them highly efficient. They will regulate the amount of fuel and air supplied to the combustion chamber, the fuel, in most cases is wood and is delivered by an integrated hopper.

Space can be the biggest concern for a biomass boiler as the fuel needed must be stored somewhere, many manufacturers will advise if space allows to have a years supply stored as this will save on transportation costs. Maintenance is low, the ash will need to be removed monthly and fuel topped up as often as is necessary dependent on space to store it. Only wood chips and pellets can be used for the automated systems, logs must be manually fed.

How much does a Biomass boiler cost?

The cost for a standalone pellet stove can vary between about £3,000 and £5,000, if you were looking for an automatically fed biomass boiler this can vary from about £6,000 to £12,000. It is very important to consider the ongoing fuel cost when considering a biomass boiler.

Biomass boilers are expected to be part of the 'Renewable Heat Incentive' which phase 2 is set to start in October 2012, further information will be added as more details become available. From 1st August 2011 either until the funding runs out or until 31st March 2012 one off grants of £950 are available to support installing biomass boilers, you will need to contact the Energy Saving Trust to find out more.

Will I require planning permission for a Biomass boiler?

Planning permission will only be required if the flue exceeds 1m in height of the roof, if it is being installed in a visible site from roads in a conservation area or if the property is listed. If you are at all unsure it is important you contact your local authority to find out.

Wind Turbines as a renewable energy source for the home

In the UK we receive 40% of Europe's win energy blowing across us, so we are perfectly placed to adopt wind turbines as a renewable energy source. The windiest time of the year is winter in England which is when we use the most electricity. Small systems known as microwind or small-wind turbines can be used for electricity in domestic properties.

What type of Wind Turbines can I have at home?

Wind turbines are another source of alternative energy for the home, they can either be mast mounted or roof mounted. Mast mounted turbines need enough space around them to have enough exposure to the wind. Roof mounted are smaller in size and must be mounted in a position on the roof that has good exposure to the wind.

How do Wind Turbines work?

The blades of the turbine catch wind, when the wind blows the turbines are forced to turn, which drives a rotor shaft, this generates low voltage DC (direct current) electricity. An inverter then coverts the direct current to alternating current so it is available to be used. At this point it depends on the set up as to whether this is sent to power a bank of batteries for use in the home. Or alternatively if you are connected to the grid and are producing more electricity than you are consuming, the electricity will be split between the household needs and the grid. As with many renewable energy sources the amount of electricity produced is exponential to the source, i.e. the more wind, the more electricity generated.

How much do Wind Turbines cost?

Roof mounted wind turbines start at about £2,000, the larger mast mounted systems can cost anywhere between £15,000 and £24,000. It is possible to have your wind turbine connected to the grid so you can sell electricity back, but it is expensive to connect to the grid so it is only worth considering for anything greater than a 2kW turbine. Wind turbines are eligible for the Clean Energy Cashback scheme, and in some areas there will be grants available.

Maintenance is relatively low, the turbines will require servicing every few years, the turbine itself should last in excess of 20 years, if batteries are used in the set up, they may need replacing every 6 to 10 years.

Will I require planning permission to install a wind turbine?

In most cases it is imperative to get planning permission for wind turbines. The planning officer will be considering the visual impact, noise, electrical interference, vibration and safety of the turbine.

Hydro Electricity as a renewable energy source for the home

Hydro electricity depends completely on your property's position as to whether this renewable energy source is available to you. Hydroelectricity needs a river or a stream to generate electricity.

How does Hydro Electricity work?

Water needs to be flowing down a stream or river, in larger systems it will come from a weir or dam. For the system to work, the water will run down the canal to a tank head, where any fish or silt is filtered out. From this point the water drops down the penstock (a pipe) to turn a turbine. The drop, known as the head, is really important because the greater the head the more power will be generated. A powerhouse houses the turbine, generator, transformer and control equipment. The electricity generated can be used directly to power the home, or it can be stored in batteries or exported to the grid.

Is my property suitable for Hydro Electricity?

To use hydro electricity as an alternative energy source for the home your property must be situated close to a river or stream with fairly fast flowing water. It is important to know whether the flow of the water changes significantly with the seasons, as in dry months it may make the system highly inefficient and will mean that you must have a secondary electricity source.

How much will a Hydro Electricity system cost?

Costs for hydro electricity systems can vary largely, with location and the amount of electricity you are wanting to generate being important factors. A standard 5kW system suitable for an average home can cost between £20,000 and £25,000. Maintenance for the systems tends to be low as they are usually very reliable. Savings will vary from household to household, it will depend on how much the home is able to rely on the hydro system and how much electricity needs to be sourced elsewhere. If all electricity can be generated by the hydro system then the savings can be substantial.

It is possible to sign up to a feed-in tariff if the hydro electricity system is connected to the grid, this means you will receive payments for the energy you generate as well as bonus payments for any you send back to the grid.

Will planning permission be required for a Hydro Electricity System?

Planning permission is an important part of the pre-installation process for hydro electricity systems. It is common to be required to complete an assessment of the projects likely environmental effects. The environmental agency will have to sign off the project as well, they will be keen to check that the site and design are acceptable. A further consideration is that if the stream or river is used for fishing then you may be required to contact a local fishing body.