Increase in the use of green energy

A Midlands expert has welcomed recent Government figures which showed a record increase in the use of green energy.

Ron Fox, of Noreus Ltd, said that that renewable energy generated by wind sun and waves accounted for 11 per cent of the UK’s electricity in the first three months of 2012 compared to 7.7per cent from January to March 2011.

“This great news and shows that householders are taking green energy solutions, such as solar panels, seriously,” said Ron.

“Two big advantages of these figures are that they go a long way to solving the country’s looming energy crisis as old nuclear, coal and gas power stations are taken out of service,” he added. “It also helps Britain move closer to meeting its legally binding commitment to get 15 per cent of its power from renewable sources by 2020.”

Latest figures released by the Department of Energy and Climate Change show that gas accounted for 27 per cent of electricity generated in the first quarter of 2012, its lowest level for 14 years; coal was 42 per cent while nuclear fell from 19 to 17 per cent.

The most impressive figures were in the renewable section, although at the moment they are only a small but growing part of the sector.

Onshore and offshore wind generation was up by around 50 per cent, hydroelectricity output was 43 per cent higher than a year earlier, thermal renewables rose by 20 per cent and solar, wave and tidal grew by more than 800 per cent.

Paul Barwell, of the Solar Trade Association, said more than 250,000 people have put solar panels on their roofs since the launch of the Feed-in Tariff scheme.

This is the money the Government pays people for generating electricity every year from the scheme, which is index-linked to retail prices inflation and guaranteed for 25 years.

However, residents will need an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) of grade D or above to claim the money.

The Renewable Energy Association estimates that the sector is already worth £12.5bn and employs 110,000 people, but this could rise to 400,000 by 2020.

But Ron warned that householders had only a few days left to take advantage of the latest Government cash incentive to use solar power and to cut their energy bills.

The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) has announced that the Feed-in Tariffs scheme will be reduced by almost a quarter, from 21p to 16p per kilowatt hour (Kwh) from August 1.

At the same time it announced that it is shortening the lifespan of payments from 25 years to 20 years and will now consider cutting the payments even further every three months.

At present the FiT is paid at two tariffs. The Generation Tariff is at 21p per Kilowatt Hour for all electricity generated for a 4 KWP system and is topped up with the Export Tariff, which adds an extra 3.1p per KWh for electricity exported to the Grid.

Although it costs around £7,000 to install solar panels Ron said: “The returns from investing in this technology can be better than putting your money in a bank account or a pension as you can get up to 14 per cent return on your money and cheaper energy bills.”

For more details about how to take advantage of these energy-saving ideas call Ron on 01782 756995.