Showing posts with label energy market. Show all posts
Showing posts with label energy market. Show all posts

Saturday, 13 February 2010

Solar Thermal (Hot Water) Systems

Solar thermal (hot water) systems can be extremely efficient, reducing costs and energy consumption. For a solar system to work, all they need is daylight as they can collect both direct radiation, direct sunlight on clear days, and diffused radiation, light which is present on cloudy days.

Both flat plate collectors and evacuated tube collectors have selective and non selective surfaces. In terms of which collector has best efficiency, it is dependant on your domestic use. At low temperatures the efficiency for all the collectors is very similar, but as temperatures increase all the collectors show a slight reduction in efficiency. For lowest temperatures an unglazed non-selective surface flat plate collector can be seen as most effective, hence they are commonly used to heat swimming pools, however for highest temperatures there is a very marginal difference between selective surface evacuated tubes and selective surfaces flat plate collectors, with the former being the most efficient.

In terms of costs you would expect to save between 50 -70% on your annual heating costs, as the more hot water used the greater the saving. For a family of four, a well designed solar water heating system should contribute around 1,500 kW-h and 2,000 kW-h, which will be equivalent to 50 to 65% of the household’s water heating energy needs.

Reference: The Solar Trade Association

Urban Energy

Urban Energy is an innovative organisation specialising in the financing, design and installation of economic and environmentally sound solar powered energy systems for commercial property (private and public) and domestic dwellings.

We can provide systems eligible for grants of between 50% up to 100% through arrangements in place with our partners.

0% interest instalment payment program available for domestic solar thermal and photovoltaic systems.

For further information about Urban Energy products and services:
Call: 0800 232 1624
Email: info@urbanenergy.org.uk
Website: http://www.urbanenergy.org.uk/

Tuesday, 9 February 2010

Employment in Renewable Energy Sector Could Rise to 500,000!

Energy minister David Kidney has claimed that the Renewable Energy Strategy, combined with a growing market for renewable energy globally, could increase UK employment in the renewables sector by up to a further 500,000 people by 2020.

The statement was made in the House of Commons earlier this month when Mr Kidney was asked to provide details of how many people have been employed in the renewable sector since 2003 and what recent assessment he has made of the potential for the creation of new jobs.

Mr Kidney replied that although there will be some displacement as the UK restructures its economy, the Renewable Energy Strategy would create significant job opportunities. He estimated that in 2007/08 up to 390,000 people were employed in the sector and that this could increase by up to a further 500,000 people by 2020.

URBAN ENERGY

Urban Energy employ the very best engineers, all of which are fully qualified, certified and Government approved to carry out installation of solar energy system, complying with strict guidelines and are members of the Solar Trade Association. Urban Energy are always looking to employ the best quality MCS accredited installation engineers, for further information please contact Urban Energy:

Call: 0800 232 1624
Email: info@urbanenergy.org.uk
Website: http://www.urbanenergy.org.uk/

Sunday, 7 February 2010

New plan gives solar power to the people!

Government launches scheme to light a fire under microgenerators, and help them save – and make – money.

Short-term, the prospects for home-energy prices are looking brighter – British Gas has just reduced tariffs by 7 per cent and the other big suppliers are likely to follow. However, Ofgem, the regulator, is warning that down the line we could see our bills rise by 25 per cent over the next 10 years, and even that energy supplies could become scarce. But just as news came in that energy prices are set to rise dramatically, homeowners were offered hope with the launch of a new government incentive.

Hoping to encourage a movement towards renewable energy, the Government has finalised details of its feed-in tariffs, which reward people who produce their own energy by investing in technology such as solar panels and small wind turbines.

"This new scheme is a fantastic opportunity for householders to make money, cut fuel bills and play their part in slashing carbon-dioxide emissions," says Dave Timms, green homes campaigner for eco-action group Friends of the Earth. "Developing the UK's massive small-scale renewable energy potential will help to tackle climate change, create new green jobs and industries, and increase our energy security."

From 1 April, any household generating its own energy will be rewarded with tax-free payments. The cashback levels will depend on the technology used, with solar panels attracting the most generous payments. Further payments will be awarded to householders directing any energy they don't need back to the National Grid.

The type of technology used will depend on the property type. So a solar photovoltaic (PV) system needs a south-facing, preferably sloping, roof. In England and Scotland, planning permission is not usually required, although there are some restrictions in terms of size, and exceptions apply for any listed buildings, and properties near a conservation area, national park or Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. In Wales and Northern Ireland, householders must consult their local authorities about planning permission.

With the new tariffs, the potential returns that this type of technology can reap are impressive. A typical domestic solar system of 12 panels, for example, will generate £1,048 in savings and income a year.

Overall, householders can expect a pay-back of between 5 and 8 per cent a year, so the move will go some way to alleviate the high initial costs. The Government has also confirmed that tariffs will be paid for up to 25 years, and, as the tariffs are linked to inflation, the real rate of return could end up as high as 10 per cent.

Anyone who has had an installation commissioned since July 2009, when the policy was first announced, will be able to apply for the scheme. The incentives are also open to businesses, communities, farmers, schools and hospitals, although the payments vary.

Ed Miliband, the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, has said that over the next decade he predicts that one in 10 homes will have installed renewable power. These tariffs are going to generate rates of return that will beat high-street savings accounts by a mile, at the same time as they save carbon and generate jobs in a new fast growing, British industry.

Reference: The Independent

URBAN ENERGY

Our mission: “To provide and install, sustainable, world class, clean energy products with the highest level of service and care”.

Urban Energy is an innovative organisation specialising in the financing, design and installation of economic and environmentally sound solar powered energy systems for commercial property (private and public) and domestic dwellings. Our expertise in the field of Government sponsored funding programmes and solar power products will provide individuals and organisations with an excellent opportunity to overcome capital cost barriers, save money on energy bills, increase profit margins, increase the value of their property and reduce their carbon footprint.

Urban Energy employ the very best engineers in this field, all of which are fully qualified, certified and Government approved to carry out this task, complying with strict guidelines and are members of the Solar Trade Association.

0% interest instalment payment program available for domestic solar thermal and photovoltaic systems.
For further information about Urban Energy products and services:
Call: 0800 232 1624
Email: info@urbanenergy.org.uk
Website: http://www.urbanenergy.org.uk/

Thursday, 4 February 2010

The Prospect of a Power Cut!

When the energy regulator sounds the alarm over the risk of national power failure we should all listen. Yesterday Ofgem released a report warning of "reasonable doubt" over the security and sustainability of Britain's power supplies. It points to a combination of dwindling domestic gas reserves, a reliance on unstable foreign suppliers and a shortage of infrastructure investment. The regulator also reiterated a previous warning that without drastic action to expand supply many homes will soon find energy prices unaffordable.

The regulator rightly argues that the energy sector needs an overhaul if we are to meet this challenge. But what, precisely, is to be done? The solutions to the shortage of infrastructure investment already exist. The problem is that they are not being implemented speedily enough. Greater government support for wind, solar and wave generation would address the challenge of energy security and carbon emissions at the same time.

Reference: The Independent

URBAN ENERGY

Our mission: “To provide and install, sustainable, world class, clean energy products with the highest level of service and care”.

Urban Energy is an innovative organisation specialising in the financing, design and installation of economic and environmentally sound solar powered energy systems for commercial property (private and public) and domestic dwellings. Our expertise in the field of Government sponsored funding programmes and solar power products will provide individuals and organisations with an excellent opportunity to overcome capital cost barriers, save money on energy bills, increase profit margins, increase the value of their property and reduce their carbon footprint.

Urban Energy employ the very best engineers in this field, all of which are fully qualified, certified and Government approved to carry out this task, complying with strict guidelines and are members of the Solar Trade Association.

0% interest instalment payment program available for domestic solar thermal and photovoltaic systems.

For further information about Urban Energy products and services:

Call: 0800 232 1624
Email: info@urbanenergy.org.uk
Website: http://www.urbanenergy.org.uk/

Wednesday, 3 February 2010

Energy bills set to reach £2,000 a year!

Energy bills will skyrocket to unaffordable levels by 2015 unless the Government acts now, says a new report.

The Government may soon be completely in charge of the energy market in the UK, with far reaching changes needed to prevent energy bills skyrocketing to £2,000 a year, energy watchdog Ofgem has warned.

The regulator has concluded its Project Discovery report, with some shocking findings. Chief among them is the suggestion that unless the infrastructure behind the energy market is completely revamped, we will face energy costs spiralling out of control.

For many of us, gas and electricity will be simply unaffordable - and that could mean the lights going out across the country.

Nab a Feed-in Tariff:

This week, the Government finally unveiled its plans for feed-in tariffs (FiTs), and they should definitely be on your radar if you want to keep your energy expenditure as low as possible, over the long-term.

Basically, homeowners will be paid for generating their own power, through measures like rooftop windmills and solar panels.

And doing so could prove pretty lucrative - according to the Department for Energy and Climate Change, fitting a typical 2.5kW well sited solar photovoltaic (PV) installation could see the homeowner handed up to £900, as well as savings on their electricity bill.

In fact, any surplus energy created can then be sold on to the National Grid, earning you even more cash!

Reference: lovemoney.com

Urban Energy:

Urban Energy is an innovative organisation specialising in the financing, design and installation of economic and environmentally sound solar powered energy systems for commercial property (private and public) and domestic dwellings.

We provide systems eligible for grants of between 50% up to 100% through arrangements in place with our partners.

0% interest instalment payment program available for domestic solar thermal and photovoltaic systems.

For further information about Urban Energy products and services:

Call: 0800 232 1624
Email: info@urbanenergy.org.uk
Website: http://www.urbanenergy.org.uk/