What are Eco-Villages and what types of Solar are available
An eco-village are rural or urban communities that aim to live in a sustainable manner with a low environmental impact . They can achieve this through building design, eco production, and using renewable energy. One of the most popular forms of renewable energy is solar power. Solar power uses the sun's heat to provide either electricity or heat for domestic and commercial premises. Solar panels for electricity can be monocrystalline or polycrystalline, with the latter being the cheaper but less efficient. They are known as PV panels. There are also panels known as collectors which are thermal panels used to create heat. Lastly the most expensive, but most efficient form of solar panel is the hybrid which creates both electricity and heat for buildings.
Tariffs
To encourage take up of solar technology the government has backed a scheme known as Feed In Tariffs. This tariff is a guaranteed cash back scheme paid for twenty five years. The scheme is only eligible for installations up to 5kw installed by an approved MCS installation company. Feed In Tariffs pay 43.3p per kilowatt hour generated. It has been estimated that the average 4kw system would create an income of £900 to £1,100 a year. For a domestic installation, this income is tax free. An average 4 kw system would cost approximately £11,000 to £14,000 so its costs would be recouped with ten to fifteen years, with the remaining income being akin to profit. In addition to this tariff any excess electricity produced but not consumed can be sold back to the national grid. To allow electricity to be sold back a grid tie invertor will need to be installed. These tariffs are not payable for thermal solar installations, but these may become eligible for income under the renewable heat incentive in the future. The renewable heat incentive will start from 2012. In addition, the RHI premium payment exists to help cover the costs of installing solar for heating. This will be backdated for installations from 2009.
Grants
There are no nationwide grants available for installing solar panels in eco villages. In Scotland, interest free loans of up to £2,000 are available to help with the significant costs of installing renewable technology. This is known as the home renewable loan scheme. Some local government bodies and charities may offer grants for solar installation. There are websites available which detail grants available from local authorities and charities to help establish if grants are available for your eco-village system. Lastly eco-villages may be able to achieve free installation offered by some solar installers. This means the house or business will cut its carbon output and receive free electricity but the installation company will receive the feed in tariffs.
