Grow your own energy and reap the benefits for years to come
October 1st 2008

The idea of actually generating our own electricity has long been dismissed as a pipe dream, a concept from an episode of Tomorrow's World.However, a tipping point has now been reached where increased funding availability means that microgeneration is now a viable goal for many organisations.

We have worked with customers ranging from schools who want to fit a single wind turbine; to large corporations who want to emphasise their eco-credentials by widespread installation of solar (photovoltaic) panels.While wind and solar power are currently the most popular onsite renewable technologies, there are other options available such as hydro generation and biomass combined heat and power (CHP), so it's worth keeping an open mind.

More and more, it is possible to not only obtain funding for on-site generation projects, but even to sell the electricity generated back to your supplier, even if you use it all yourself. Our customers are discovering that not only can they produce a proportion of their energy on-site and therefore promote their sustainability credentials, but they can reduce their electricity bills and even generate a revenue stream – reducing the payback period for renewable energy projects.

So how can you take full advantage of these new schemes to install your own source of renewable energy onsite? Firstly, it is important to survey the proposed site to check it is actually fit for purpose.Too many organisations 'rush to renewables' and then find their microgeneration project is a disappointment in terms of energy generated.Another major issue is planning permission, so it's key to allow time for any submission to go through due process.

Once you've established that your site is suitable for a microgeneration project, the next step is to obtain funding.There are more sources than you would think.

For example, the EDF Energy Green Fund is a fund that matches the money raised by the premium placed on the EDF Energy's Green Tariff, awarding money to help nonprofit making or charitable organisations across the country with small-scale projects.

Through this fund,we've awarded more than £3.2 million to over 188 community projects across the UK since 2001. A straightforward application form can be found on our website at www.edfenergy.com/greenfund, which will be assessed by the fund committee, a body which includes senior EDF Energy employees and an independent renewable energy consultant.

The government also provides a number of grants to non-profit organisations, through the Low Carbon Buildings Programme, administered by BERR. More information on this can be found at their website www.lowcarbonbuildingsphase2.org.uk The Energy Saving Trust maintains a list of other funding sources, which you can find at http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/cafe/funding/

Generate revenue not just electricity And now here comes the clever bit – selling the power you have generated, along with your Renewable Obligation Certificates (ROCs), back to your supplier. EDF Energy launched the Small Generators Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) in 2007 to help microgeneration projects become more financially viable for organisations across the UK. Under the agreement, EDF Energy will buy each unit of electricity that you generate, even if you use it all on site.The only requirement is that you are an EDF Energy business customer with a renewable generator, an installed capacity of less than 30kW and an Ofgem approved total generation meter on your premises.

Organisations with larger-scale projects will also be able to get involved by the end of the year, as the mid-sized PPA launches for customers with an installed capacity of 1MW. It's all part of EDF Energy's commitment to reduce the UK's CO2 emissions, encourage renewable energy generation and help customers reach their targets.

With new opportunities for funding, and even to earn money from your microgeneration project, there's never been a better time to 'grow your own energy'. It is particularly appropriate as fuel bills continue to increase due to unprecedented oil price rises.The example of Frith Manor Primary School in Barnet (see the full case study above) shows how organisations can have a positive impact on the UK's carbon emissions while also cutting their costs through the PPA scheme.

We've developed an easy-to-follow checklist of key considerations to take into account when looking for a suitable site.

The main factors to consider when looking at photo-voltaic generation are:

South facing roofs – PV will only perform to its maximum potential when located on south facing roofs, as this gives it the most opportunity to face the sun during daylight hours. Some East and West facing roofs may be suitable for PV, but their efficiency will be significantly reduced Pitch of 35°-45°- It is important that solar panels get as much sunlight as possible during the daytime and this is maximised by having them at an angle of 35°-45°.The easiest way to achieve this is to fit them to a roof which already has this angle. It is possible to place spacers or stands to achieve this, but it will be more expensive Further south is better – Solar panels do perform well across the UK, but maximum output will be achieved the further South in the country they are placed.This,however, is unlikely to be a major issue, unless you are located in the Scottish Highlands and Islands Clear of shading – In order to work effectively, solar panels need to have a direct line to the sun.This means that all obstructions, such as nearby buildings or trees will affect the output. For a PV scheme to be successful, your panels should be in direct sunlight for 80% of the time.

When considering a wind power installation, as a general rule your site should be: Clear of obstructions – Wind turbines work at their most efficient with a straight flow of air. Every building or other object creates air turbulence, reducing the effectiveness of your turbine. You can reduce the impact of this by placing the turbine on a higher mast, but this has other physical restrictions

In a windy area – This might seem obvious, but most wind turbines need an average wind speed of over 6 metres per second. Local conditions means this can vary widely, but you can get an approximation of the wind speed in your general area at the website of the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform which can be found at http://www.berr.gov.uk/energy/sources/renewables/explained/wind/windspeed- database/page27326.html

A school that did its homework Frith Manor Primary School in Barnet,North London, is a fantastic example of an organisation which has made the most of the new options available to provide a revenue stream for the school as well as a great opportunity for its pupils to experience renewable technologies first-hand. Following a fire in 2002 which virtually destroyed the entire building, the management team has taken advantage of a clean slate to build a new modern school which is more than up to the challenges of the twenty first century.

By applying for a grant from the EDF Energy Green Fund, the school has received £30,000 for a wind turbine and 38 solar panels which provide the school with electricity.

Environmentally, the project has had a real impact and is projected to save 1.6 tonnes of carbon dioxide this year and the school will save £1,600 a year on energy bills through its Power Purchase Agreement.

Mr R. Herring, headteacher at Frith Manor Primary School, has been delighted with the project, explaining that:"In addition to the financial gain for the school, it's been so inspiring for our pupils and an excellent way to teach them about global warming and renewable technology.The process was really very straightforward and the benefits have been extraordinary."

Wind power A wind turbine with a horizontal axis is the most well known type of wind power, and is used on almost every commercial scale turbine. These usually have 2 or 3 blades,which sweep around from the floor to the sky A new type is the wind turbine with a vertical axis, which spins around a central post, and often has a 'helix' shape. These are not generally as efficient, although it may help capture wind in urban environments. It is considered, by some, to be more visually appealing and is therefore used to be more in-keeping with the design on some buildings.

Solar power Stand alone photovoltaic panels can be fitted to any building or structure which is able to support them Roof integrated photovoltaic systems take the place of standard roof tiles on a building, and consequently require re-roofing to be performed on retrofit projects, but can be cost effective on new build projects as costs can be partially offset against the roofing which would be performed in either case.

Government accreditation of renewable energy> The Renewables Obligation (RO) is a mechanism aimed at licensed electricity suppliers in GB to source a specific proportion of their electricity from renewable generation

Renewable Obligation Certificates (ROC) are not sold to customers.They are held by suppliers and act as evidence of compliance with the RO

Levy Exempt Certificates (LEC) are intended for purchasers of renewable energy and act as evidence that their supplies are accredited and exempt from paying the Climate Change Levy (CCL)

Renewable Electricity Guarantees of Origin (REGO) are a new type of certificate intended for generators of renewable energy that identify that their electricity comes as having been generated from accredited renewable sources

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