Renewable energy options

Manichouse

Hi all

I'd be grateful for some helpful advice on what may be the best or most productive renewable energy to look into. I have no idea when it comes to this and I have looked on other threads people have posted and it's like another language!

Not sure what help if any in the form of grants from the government there are. Or what the catch is with these "freebie" systems are!

Any help and info gratefully received!

ed110220

Well for most people solar PV is the only possible/practical renewable energy source for home use. The other significant ones such as hydroelectricity and wind have much more restricted site requirements. Most people do not have streams or rivers suitable for hydro, nor wide open spaces with good wind resources for wind turbines.

There are no grants as far as I'm aware, the incentive is that you are paid a certain amount for each kilowatt hour of electricity you produce. The "catch" with the "free" systems is that you do not receive the feed in tariff (the company that installs the panels does) and the value of the electricity you get free of charge may be rather low unless you use a lot during the day. Also there may be problems with mortgages etc in the future if you have effectively let out your roof for 20 years to a third party.

Ed

Manichouse

Thanks Ed for that info. What about biomass boilers? I currently run on oil for heating and supposedly hot water but it does not heat up enough water so this is topped up with an immersion heater which then bumps up my electric costs!

I think I'm looking at ways to cut down both electric and oil costs!