MAKING A WISE ENERGY CHOICE

Why renewable works

The terms ‘renewable’ and ’sustainable’ are firmly embedded in our vocabulary and more and more people are looking at ways to make greener choices in all aspects of their lives, but how can we make our homes and the energy we use greener too? We caught up with Simon Palmer, MD of Wise Green Energy to answer some of our questions...

Good to see you again Simon! Let’s start with the basics: what do we mean when we talk about renewable energy?

“Renewable energy are natural sources of energy, such as sunlight, wind, water, geothermal heat etc, that can be used over and over again without depleting those resources or causing environmental damage in the process. Unlike fossil fuels such as gas and oil, renewable energy is abundant meaning it will never run out.

“Renewable energy technology allows consumers to take back control of their own energy by allowing them to generate a cleaner alternative source of energy without relying exclusively on fossil fuel resources such as gas and oil that will continue to rise in cost and will inevitably run out.

“The sun, as an example, is an incredibly powerful and abundant source of renewable energy that can be easily converted into electricity for our homes and businesses by installing solar panels. It is important to remember that you don’t need to worry about using all of the solar energy as it’s being generated, as you can now store any excess solar energy production in a battery to use later on or at night. We also offer technologies that allow you to turn the ambient heat in our atmosphere into hot water and to turn the outside air into heat through the use of heat pump technology. The opportunities truly are endless.”

So there are lots of options available but are they suitable for all types of home?

“As a company, we have access to the entire market, this does open up several options for our clients, giving them a diverse range of products and manufacturers that will be suitable for most homes and budgets. This means we are able to offer tailored solutions on a budget basis all the way up to high end. No installation is a one- size fits all approach for our company.

"When looking at a properties suitability for renewable energy there are various contributing factors. For example, with Solar PV, the shape, orientation, pitch and any obstructions are all things we factor into our design work ensuring that the level of generation will be optimal. If your roof is not suitable,

you can look at alternatives such as a ground mounted array and flat roofs, as long as there is a sufficient usable space.

"We do offer technologies for heating and hot water which are both options that can be installed on Grade listed buildings and conservation areas, opening up options to those who would usually be restricted on what they are allowed to do to their homes.

“We also have to consider the feasibility of the investment. It’s not all about the payback period either, which is now better than ever before due to energy price hikes, a large proportion of our clients have reported back that a major driving factor in them deciding to go green was the attractive return on investment levels offered, which will continue to rise alongside energy prices from year 1. We will always ensure our clients understand the financial and environmental benefits that a renewable energy installation would provide for them.”

Finally, where do you see the future in terms of energy resources?

“At the moment, renewable energy is becoming very well- established. We’ve got wind farms and solar panels going up at a rate of knots.

“As of the 3rd quarter of 2022, renewable energy accounted for around 36% of the UK’s electricity. This is a huge step forward. The International Energy Agency also predicts that by 2050, renewable energy will account for 80% of global power generation.

As a company, we have seen a huge increase of consumer awareness surrounding energy diversity. We are now much more aware of how else we could be running our homes, taking back control from the energy companies to help restore energy security and become more self-sufficient. The future of renewable energy is at our fingertips. With ever increasing energy bills and advances in renewable technology, there has never been a better time for homeowners to explore the attractive financial and environmental benefits that renewable energy has to offer.”