Energy Facts

Planning Requirements Eased for Renewables

April 6th 2008 is the date that government red tape is greatly reduced for homeowners considering on-site renewable energy. From this date, the installation of solar thermal or PV panels, ground source heat pumps and other microgeneration technologies won't need planning permission, as long as there is no impact on neighbours. Some of the rules are quite specific - for example, solar panels must not protude more than 200mm from a roof pitch. However, other issues remain unresolved - wind turbines aren't mentioned, and restrictions still apply in conservation areas or on listed buildings.

Planning minister Caroline Flint said; "We want to make it easier to help people reduce their carbon footprint. Technology like solar panels can make a real difference, but homeowners can be put off by the time and expense of getting planning permission. We think it is right that people have more freedom to make these changes providing it has no impact on others."

For more information, see the official Town and Country Planning document.

posted by GreenEnergy360 at 19:08

GreenEnergy360 wins Innovation Award

GreenEneergy360 is one of 10 Anubis innovation award winners for 2008. The prize, awarded for our unique renewable energy calculator toolkit, comes from the European Regional Development Fund and is designed to support new technology companies at the leading edge of innovation.

At the Anubis award event, Simon Calvert of GreenEnergy360.org said "We are delighted that all our efforts in the development of the GreenEnergy360 service has been rewarded in this way. It's great to have our hard work recognised and gives us extra motivation to further develop the service for the benefit of consumers".

Dr. Paul Rowley of Loughborough University's Centre for Renewable Energy (CREST) said "We take pride in our level of cooperation with technology companies, and the Anubis award is an indication that our partnership with GreenEnergy360.org is a good move all round".

For more information, see the Anubis web site

posted by GreenEnergy360 at 22:09

Renewable Energy Grants to be Revamped

Look out for the government's Low Carbon Buildings Programme to be revamped. John Moriarty, an official from the Department for Business (BERR) said that changes may include a "feed-in tariff" to boost the take-up of solar PV systems, along with wind and hydro turbines. This means that electricty fed into the grid from small renewable energy systems will be eligible for much higher rates per unit than normal.

In Germany, feed-in-tariffs have been made into a major success. People generating electricity from renewable energy systems are paid generously for the extra power they feed in to the grid. Electricity companies are obliged to buy this energy, and the revenue has helped to kick-start significant investment in greener energy. Since Germany adopted feed-in-tariffs PV installations are more than 200 times that of Britain with 10 times more wind energy.

The UK would be well-advised to follow the German model rather than our Renewables Obligation scheme which has been much less effective in increasing renewable energy capacity.

posted by GreenEnergy360 at 19:26