Renewable and Low Carbon Energy

Burning fossil fuels like coal, oil, and gas releases greenhouse gases in to the atmosphere which causes climate change. With energy costs constantly rising and climate change affecting us all – low-carbon technology has a bigger and bigger role to play in the future of UK energy.

Generating your own renewable energy from wind, solar and natural sources will help cut carbon emissions, your energy bills and reliance on fossil fuels. It is important to make your home as energy efficient as possible before investing in renewable technologies. For more information on improving the energy efficiency of your home and renewable energy please visit the Environment Centre (tEC) - Renewable Energy.

Renewable Heat Incentive

This is a government incentive available for heat-generating renewable technologies, such as solar thermal panels and biomass boilers.  There are domestic and non-domestic options within the Renewable Heat Incentive. 

More information about the Renewable Heat Incentive is available from OFGEM.

Smart Export Guarantee

This scheme commenced on 1 January 2020 and is an opportunity for anyone who has installed certain renewable and low carbon technologies to receive a payment for electricity exported back to the National Grid. This is paid by certain licenced electricity suppliers. More information is available from OFGEM.

In order to claim the Renewable Heat Incentive or the Smart Export Guarantee make sure you use an accredited MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme) installer and product. For more information and a list of installers please visit:

MCS Certified | Giving you confidence in home-grown energy

 

Planning Permission

You may need to apply for planning permission if you want to install a low carbon energy system. In some cases, the installation of renewable energy technologies for your home may be permitted development, so you do not need to submit an application.

General guidance is available on the Planning Portal website or you can contact the Council's Planning and Building Service on 01264 368000.