Renewable and Low Carbon Energy
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.
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 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: https://mcscertified.com/
Boiler Upgrade Scheme
This government scheme provides upfront capital grants to support the installation of heat pumps and biomass boilers. You can apply for £5,000 off the cost and installation of an air source heat pump or a biomass boiler, or £6,000 off the cost and installation of ground source and water source heat pumps. The scheme is open to domestic and small non-domestic properties and runs from 2022 to 2025. More information is available at: https://www.gov.uk/apply-boiler-upgrade-scheme
More information about heat pumps is available from the Energy Saving Trust , including how they work and the different types of heat pump available. There will be a number of factors to consider when installing heat pumps, including the size and space you will need and noise generated through operating the heat pumps.
Renewable Heat Incentive
This was a government incentive available for heat-generating renewable technologies, such as solar thermal panels and biomass boilers. There were domestic and non-domestic options within the Renewable Heat Incentive. This scheme has closed for new applicants.
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.