Archive for the ‘Social Housing’ Category

Research shows 91% of UK households would consider installing solar power

Friday, June 19th, 2009

91% of the UK population have considered or would consider buying solar photovoltaics to generate electricity at home according to a new survey by the Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT)

The survey of over 750 households, showed that 90% surveyed would consider, and over 23% definitely buy PV if the FIT was 50p per unit of electricity or above.

Interestingly, the research found knowledge of PV to be high, although 75% of respondents didn’t think PV could generate sufficient electricity, despite having an annual electricity consumption of between 3,000 to 4,000 units a year and understanding that PV requires only daylight to create electricity.

Solar PV has proven to be a very effective way of generating clean electricity in the UK as it relies on daylight not heat, requires little or no maintenance and will generate power for forty years plus.

Many new homes are now being built across the country with solar electric roof tiles; a new and innovative way of replacing traditional roof tiles with solar power that can be installed by local roofers with minimal training and are virtually unnoticeable on buildings.

Social Housing developers can also use solar and wind power to meet government energy targets and reduce the environmental impact of their sites.  Public sector developments and organisations can benefit from up to 50% funding towards the cost of their installation.

Government is set to announce green home makeovers

Wednesday, February 18th, 2009

The government is set to announce its plans to reduce household carbon emissions by at least 80% by 2050.

Statistics revealed that energy use in homes currently accounts for almost one third of all greenhouse gas emissions in the UK.

Reports released suggested that under the plans, about seven million houses and flats will be offered a complete eco-makeover and that the Government will commit to cutting a third of greenhouse gas emissions from households by 2020. Ministers from the new Department of Energy and Climate Change and the Department of Communities and Local Government are expected to publish plans to reduce energy use in UK homes and launch a consultation on the proposals.

Ed Matthew, the head of UK climate at Friends of the Earthwould like to see Government provide eco-makeovers to at least ten million homes, and introduce measures to cut household emissions by two-thirds.

Developers of social housing can benefit from up to 50 percent grant funding towards the cost of the installation of solar power.

Installing renewable technology will dramatically reduce the carbon footprint of buildings and can help meet government emission targets.