For Developers > How you cut CO2 Emissions > Low Carbon Techonologies > Renewable Energy
Renewable Energy
National Planning Policy states that renewable energy covers energy flows that occur naturally and repeatedly in the environment – from the wind, the fall of water, the movement of the oceans, from the sun and also from biomass. Policies therefore cover technologies such as
on-site wind generation, hydro electric, solar thermal and
electric, biomass and energy crops.
A summary is provided below of the key renewable energy technologies that you may wish to consider for your development. More detail is provided in downloadable fact sheets.
C-Plan can help to identify which technologies best suit your development and which will meet your CO2
(or fossil fuel consumption) reduction target. To find out how, click here.
Solar Water Heating
- Panels (collectors) mounted on a roof use the heat of the sun to generate hot water. There are two
main types of collector, flat plate and evacuated tube.
- Average annual output of an evacuated tube collector is approx. 650kwh/m2 offsetting 124 kg of CO2 per year. Average household system is 4m2.
- Most effective on south facing un-shaded roofs, at sites with high hot water demand.
- A 4m2 system for a domestic property will cost bet. £3,000 - £5,000 fully installed. Costs significantly reduced with bulk purchase and installation contracts. Minimal maintenance required.
- Consultation with planners is recommended. May have some visual or conservation issues.
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Solar Photo Voltaic
- Photovoltaic (PV) panels convert solar radiation into electricity. Panels come in a variety of shapes and sizes, including roofing tiles.
- An 8m2 array (1kW peak) would produce approximately 750kWh during a year. And offset approx. 315 kg of CO2
per year.
- Most effective on south facing un-shaded roofs at sites with high daytime electricity demand e.g. schools, offices, and retail.
- Between £4,000 - £9,000 per kW peak installed. Minimal maintenance required.
- Consultation with planners is recommended. May have some visual or conservation issues.
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Ground Source Heat Pump
- A ground source heat pump uses a small amount of electricity (GSHP) to extract heat from the ground (via coils buried in the ground) to provide space heating.
- GSHPs
are most cost effective when displacing electric
heating systems in sites off the gas network.
- Most effective when used with low temperature distribution heating, such as under-floor heating at sites with large (accessible) grounds.
- An 8kW GSHP (heating an area approx. 160m2) cost bet. £8,000 - £12,000, fully installed. This includes the necessary groundwork. Costs can be reduced if machinery is already used on site.
- If boreholes are drilled planners should be consulted.
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Wind Turbines
- Wind will turn the blades on a turbine activating a rotor, which generates electricity.
- The larger the turbine, the greater the energy output. A small 1kW turbine can generate 2,600kwh/yr and offset 1,092 kg of CO2.
- Most effective at sites with high wind speeds (6m/s or more) and limited obstructions (tall buildings and trees).
- A 1kW turbine will cost from £3,000. As size increases so does cost. Annual maintenance is necessary and so adds running costs. Excess energy can be sold back to the grid.
- Planning consent is required. Visual, noise and conservation issues may affect planning consent.
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Biomass Heating
- Wood fuel (pellets, chip or logs) is burnt in a boiler, providing space and water heating for a building.
- A 15kW
boiler with an average annual output of approx.
26,400 kWh of heat and would save approximately
13,860 kg of CO2
per
year.
- Adequate space for the boiler, storage of wood fuel and access for deliveries is required.
- A 15kW biomass wood pellet boiler (for avg. 3 bed semi) costs approx £4,000 to £12,000. Cost of fuel varies With Wood chip being most expensive. Annual maintenance required, adding cost.
- Planning permission is required for flues. Visual, noise and congestion issues may affect planning consent.
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Hydroelectric
- Water flow (from river etc…) turns a turbine to produce electricity. Sizes vary from small to very large.
- Small
5kW system produces approx 21,900kWh of
electricity per year offsetting approx. 9,198kg
of CO2
per year.
- Only appropriate for sites close to an adequate (and suitable) water flow. Storage for the turbine must be built. Must be suitable path for cables to run to and from turbine.
- Depending on system type costs range from £2,500 - £4,000 p/kW installed. An average 5kW systems costs bet. £20,000 – £25,000.
- Planners should be consulted. Permission from the Environment Agency may be required.
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