The image problem with renewable energy!

Let’s be honest. Renewable energy technologies such as solar, wind, biomass and heat pumps, have an image problem! Why? Comments such as “it’s too expensive”, “you never get your money back”, “payback takes forever” tell us one of the reasons why. This seems to contradict many opinion polls that claim that most people would be prepared to pay more for environmental products/services! So in reality, we can conclude that, in most cases, the £ speaks louder than the environment (especially in these “trying” times)?

The other, image, problem is that we seem to “get it rammed down our throats” that it is the only way we can reduce our carbon emissions, and save the planet.  Often referred to as “Greenwash”. This starts putting many environmentally “concerned”  people off the concept, and narrows the market to, who some describe as, “Greenies”, who will do anything to reduce their carbon emissions regardless of cost (lucky devils!).

We then come to another problem. the Governmment! Many people say that “the Government are not doing enough”, and that “the grants are not enough”. Well let’s be fair to them (a hard concept to grasp I know, but bear with me!). Who’s heard of the “Feed in tariff” (FIT), or the “Renewable Heat Incentive” (RHI)? I’m guessing that many of you may well have, but by the same token, many of you won’t? And if the Government is failing, then it’s because they haven’t done enough to promote it. True, the finer details are yet to be finalised, but still, it could be promoted better?

Without going into too much detail. These 2 schemes make renewable energy technologies much more financially attractive, whilst still giving the same environmental benefits! For example, when the FIT comes into play in April of this year, a well designed solar PV (for electricity) system should give you a return on your investment of around 8% (tax free, I might add! Take a look at our “investment” page for a case study), with a wind turbine giving much greater returns. All “backed” by the Government. Now where else can you get that sort of return? Answers on a post card please!? The RHI (being introduced in 2011) looks like giving similar, if not greater returns for the heat providing technologies (for most of us that would be either, solar thermal for hot water, heat pumps or biomass)!

Of course for some, this is not enough! But come on! It’s a pretty good start!?

My advice to you (of course Im biased!), if you have money sitting in the Bank or, worse still, Premium Bonds (did you know that the odds of winning Lottery are better?), is seriously consider renewable energy as a viable alternative to the mainstream investments….

I look forward to recieving your comments??

This post was composed by Barry Nutley, Partner at Viridis Energie Consultants (Independent Renewable Energy Consultants)

 

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