BBS Plumbing

What is sustainable energy?

Sustainable energy is best thought of as energy which can be
replenished within a human lifetime and which causes no long-term
damage to the environment. Solar energy, wind energy and
geothermal energy, amongst others, are all self-sustaining. They
all have sources that cannot be depleted. Extended use of these
energy sources aids the conservation of other non-renewable
energy sources such as fossil fuels.

Is there any government funding available?

From time to time the Government provides grants for the
installation of renewable technology products. To find out more
visit: www.berr.gov.uk
For details of grants available under the government's Low Carbon
Buildings Programme visit: www.lowcarbonbuildings.org.uk
Greenskies solar thermal panels

How does solar energy work?

The idea behind technologies which use solar energy is to harness
the freely available rays from the sun in a useful form. The basic
principle uses an absorber plate which is heated by the sun's
energy. This heat is collected in a transfer liquid which is in turn
used in a heat exchanger to heat water.

Do I still need a boiler?

Yes. Solar heating on a normal domestic scale in the UK will
provide around 60%* of the average annual household hot water
requirements. Although a well designed system could provide most
of the hot water required in summer, the winter results, due to the
lower intensity of the sun and the shorter daylight hours, will be
reduced. As such, the householder will need a boiler to make up
the difference in domestic hot water requirement and for the
central heating of the house.

Do I need to have a particular type of roof for solar installation?

No. A variety of brackets and frames are available for solar systems
to suit different roof types (pitched and flat) and different types of
roof tiles. Panels can also be mounted in the roof or even on a wall.