The following pages will give you important details regarding some of the various microgeneration technologies available. Below we have briefly explained the information that you will see under the various headings within these pages.
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Energy efficiency |
Your information options:
Overview
Unbiased information on technologies, benefits and disadvantages, space and other resource requirements, costs.
FIT/Grants
Stay informed of the latest grant and funding opportunities.
Financial support
Financial support is available to many energy efficiency and microgeneration measures. Support comes in two main types: capital grants and income support. Use the technology tabs on the left to read about technology specific financial support.
Grants and Financial incentives
Energy efficiency measures and Microgeneration systems in particular follow the pattern of relatively high upfront capital investment with long term savings or income. Capital grants help you with up front capital cost. While other financial incentives such as Feed In Tariffs help to increase the income to make the initial capital cost a better investment over the lifetime of the product.
National, Regional and local support
There are numerous regional & local grants and initiatives available as local government tries to meet ambitious carbon reduction targets and other sources of funding, for example the EU Rural Development Fund, which provide pots of money targeted at sustainable development. Your local installers are best placed to access the latest information on these incentives. As part of the Save & Generate 'Get me a Quote' function installers provide details on local incentives you may be eligible for in your area.
Alternatively you can contact your local authorities directly to try and source opportunities for support Click here to find your local authority contact details
Planning Guidance
Local planning and connection issues. Use this section to see technology specific planning information.
Planning and Permitted development rights
The UK planning system plays an important role in helping protect the environment in our towns, cites and our countryside. Any building work or installation requires approval via a planning authority. The exception to this rule is the permitted development rights that allow certain projects to go ahead with no planning permission. Installing certain renewable energy technologies has now been made a lot simpler thanks to Permitted development rights introduced on 6th April 2008 in England and 12th March 2009 in Scotland.
Permitted development rights for Wales and Northern Ireland and the permitted development rights for ALL micro generation technologies are under review at the moment and the consultation documents relating to this can be seen at the Communities and Local Government consultation page. Check the Save & Generate news pages for updates on this.
Not Permitted development?
You may need planning permission. Although planning is a contentious issue for many sustainable technology sectors (wind turbines in particular) and can be seen as a barrier, if treated in the correct way should prove no problem to your installation. As planning is a devolved responsibility local installers are best placed to advice and will be able to provide you with all the information required, they may deal with the planning application largely themselves as part of their service.
Energy Calculator (See toolbox in top right hand corner of each image)
The real costs, the real benefits
The Save & Generate calculators allow you to work out what an investment in energy efficiency or Microgeneration technologies could mean at your location with regards to yield, carbon emissions as well as the economic savings and income.
There are some who will look at the numbers on these pages and instantly close the browser. It is important that money invested in energy efficiency products and microgeneration systems are not viewed as a typical investment.
Installers (See toolbox in top right hand corner of each image)
Services available near you plus user reviews. We have over 1550 MCS registered installers listed on this site. Select a technology to view a list of installers in your area.
Map (See toolbox in top right hand corner of each image)
See what technologies are being installed in your area
Manufacturers (See toolbox in top right hand corner of each image)
Information about the product manufacturers of the chosen technology
FAQ
What, Where, When & how? Quick answers to your green energy questions
General background
For some general background information click here
