Renewable technologies use free, clean sources of energy such as the sun, wind and water or replaceable sources such as wood to generate electricity or heat that can be used in our homes and reduce our dependence on non renewable fossil fuels. As part of the Climate Change Strategy, the council supports energy efficiency and renewable energy development to reduce carbon emissions.
SG Futurenergy - advice, grants and low interest loan
The council, working in partnership with Severn Wye Energy Agency, has set up a renewable energy advice scheme called SG Futurenergy. The scheme is designed to offer householders advice, grants, support and a low interest loan to help them install renewable energy in their home.
Trained advisors can help with:
- Choosing a technology: free, impartial advice about the most suitable technology for you, the costs and likely payback periods.
- Costs: a £500 grant towards the cost and help with accessing other grant funding.
- Finding a reliable installer that has signed up to a customer care standard.
- 3% fixed interest loan: a low interest loan of up to £3500, repayable up to 10 years, to help with the cost of installing a technology.
- Support to help you through all stages of installing a renewable energy system.
For a downloadable version of the SG Futurenergy leaflet, an outline of the service, details of grant terms & conditions and application form and details of the low interest renewable energy loan and application form, see the Read More section on the right hand side of this page. Alternatively call the SG Futurenergy Advisors between 09.00 and 17.00, Monday to Friday on 01452 835087 or email renewables@swea.co.uk for free, independent advice.
Renewable technologies for your home
- Solar hot water: Harness energy from the sun and transfer it to your hot water heater.
- Solar photovoltaic (PV): Use PV panels to capture energy from the sun to produce electricity. PV only requires daylight to generate electricity year round, not direct sunlight.
- Biomass: Install a wood fuelled boiler system or automated pellet stove and burn wood in the form of pellets, chips or dry logs to release heat into your home.
- Ground Source Heat Pump: Extract heat stored in the ground to heat your home.
- Free standing wind turbine: Harness the wind to generate electricity.
- Small scale hydro: Harness the power of a stream or a river to generate electricity.
For a more in depth guide to these technologies, visit the websites on the right hand side of this page.
Planning requirements:
Installation of domestic scale renewable energy is now a permitted development right. However, some works may require Building Regulations or planning approval, for example: listed buildings, installation of a biomass boiler in smoke controlled areas, or a wind turbine for reasons of noise. Please refer to the ‘Fast facts’ column on the right hand side of this page for further information.