No doubt we would all like to spend less on our energy bills and, if we can reduce our carbon footprint at the same time, so much the better. That’s why home electricity generation from renewable sources is becoming increasingly popular, but, with several different options to choose from, how can you tell which one is right for you? We take a look at three possible systems you could consider.

Solar Photovoltaics

The sunlight that hits the Earth in just one hour contains enough energy to power the world for over a year, making it no wonder so many people are keen to tap into this ultimate renewable power source. Photovoltaic panels and photovoltaic roof tiles generate electricity directly from sunlight, minimising waste, and are one of the cheapest, easiest to install forms of domestic green power generation. They are also one of the least obtrusive, which can be important, especially in areas with strict planning restrictions.

In this country, solar photovoltaics are by far the most popular form of small scale low carbon energy production for homes and businesses, with over half a million UK buildings currently having solar panels installed. Although there are downsides, most obviously that they only work during the day time, photovoltaic panels and tiles require minimal maintenance once installed and still produce power even on cloudy days. This makes them the perfect option for anyone who simply wants to have a system installed and then forget about it.

Wind Turbines

The UK is one of the windiest countries in Europe, making wind turbines an ideal form of power generation here. They are a really good option for remote locations, where it may be impossible (or at least very costly) to get connected to the national grid, but the cost of installing and setting up a wind turbine can be significant. You will also need to pay for yearly maintenance checks in order to make sure your turbine keeps running smoothly and replacement parts can be expensive.

It’s also important to bear in mind that wind turbines can have much more of a visual impact on you and your neighbours and some people find the noise they can produce off-putting. There are two main types of wind turbine you can consider for home use – pole-mounted turbines, which are free standing and tend to produce the most electricity, and building-mounted turbines, which are less obtrusive, but also don’t generate as much power as the pole-mounted variety.

Hydroelectrics

The massive advantage with hydroelectric systems is that they allow you to generate power 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, whatever the weather. The downside is, unless you have a handy river or stream running through your property, you almost certainly won’t be able to generate any power this way, making hydroelectrics non-viable for the vast majority of UK homes and businesses.

That said, if you are lucky enough to have a personal source of running water onsite, hydroelectric power generation is a really fantastic option. It relies on the flow of running water to turn a turbine, much like with wind power, but without the downtime you get with a wind turbine on days when there is little wind. Although fairly expensive to set up and requiring regular maintenance, the amount of power they can generate and their sheer reliability, make hydroelectric systems the green technology to beat wherever they are a possibility. So if you do have the option they are definitely worth looking into.

One really great advantage with all of these systems is that they can potentially qualify you for the government’s Feed-in Tariffs scheme (FiTs). This allows you to earn money by selling any excess power you generate to your energy supplier, meaning you can not only save money, but actually make money from green technology.

Metrotile produce a range of photovoltaic panels and roof tiles which can help you save money and the environment. If you’d like to find out more, feel free to send us an email or give us a call on 01249 658 514.