Viridis chosen to advise on renewables for the Lloyd Webber estate
Peter Moore of Viridis explains how one of the country’s most treasured families have asked Viridis to advise them on a renewable energy strategy for their home. The Sydmonton Estate set in 6,500 acres of fabulous Berkshire country side has some excellent opportunities for the use of renewable energy, which is a passion of the family to do as much as they can for the environment.
The purpose of our visit was provide a report on the suitability of Solar PV, renewable energy heating options, swimming pool heating, including cost benefits, cost implications, environmental benefits, and possible grant opportunities.
There are several directions where Renewable energy can be used on the property to achieve some considerable savings over a period of time. With the introduction of the Feed in Tariff and pending Renewable Heat Incentive the returns on all forms of renewable energy and heating can be considerable as illustrated in the simulations and financial profiling of our surveys. Solar Photovoltaics, Wind Turbines & Biomass Boilers are the three most effective technologies that are established and provide excellent returns on investment.
Wind Turbines are very effective and represent an excellent return on investment but have considerable issues in gaining planning permission. Because of the land availability a ground mounted PV generation of any size can be accommodated up to small-scale utility generation. The investment required might mean that you may need to have third party investors; this is something we can arrange for you.
The main house and swimming pool are heated by Oil fired boilers at considerable running costs but the property has the space to accommodate a Biomass solution that will require little maintenance with heat levels that the family currently enjoy with Gas & Oil but with a Carbon Neutral footprint.
Strategies for renewable energy usage by the family are currently under consideration by the Lloyd Webbers with the opportunity for considerable cost savings across heating and powering structures on the estate.