Renewable energy

Community energy refers to the delivery of community-led renewable energy and energy efficiency projects, which are usually owned by communities. These projects are a great way to both speed up and scale up the rollout of energy projects.

The benefits of community energy initiatives go far beyond their direct impact on climate change, energy security and fuel poverty. Energy projects can give communities who don't normally interact common ground and a basis for trust and friendship - not to mention a tangible reminder of their successful cooperation.

Taking control of your own energy supply can also be highly empowering, boosting a sense of what's possible among individuals and the community as a whole - and bringing a host of economic benefits to boot. 

For more information visit:

• Nadder Community Energy (opens new window)
• Wiltshire Wildlife Community Energy (opens new window)
• Bath & West Community Energy (opens new window)

Solar electricity systems capture the sun's energy using photovoltaic (PV) cells that convert sunlight into electricity. The electricity can be used to run household appliances and lighting and any excess can be sold back to the grid.

Solar PV installation is quite simple and will be fixed to your building's roof. Your roof will be assessed to make sure it has a large enough surface, facing within 90 degrees of south, is not overshadowed and is capable of withstanding the extra weight of the panels.

The initial cost can be expensive; anything from approximately £5,000 - £12,000.

Wind turbines create electricity by harnessing the natural power of the wind to drive a generator. The electricity can either be fed in to the grid or stored in a battery.

Domestic wind turbines located in the correct position are very effective but not all properties are suitable for a domestic wind turbine of any size. To work effectively the wind speed has to reach a certain point and this should be explored at the beginning of the process. Planning permission may also be required depending on size and location.

Small-scale domestic wind turbines can either be mounted to your roof or free standing and vary in cost according to size but can be anything from £2,000 - £25,000.

Hydroelectricity systems generate electricity from running water. Micro hydro systems can generate enough electricity to fulfil a typical home's lighting and electrical appliance needs, often with surplus.

You will need to have access to all year round fast flowing water. The success, size and effectiveness of any micro-hydro systems is very site specific and initial assessment will be needed. You will also need to contact your local planning office as you will need planning permission and a license from the Environment Agency.

Mirco-hydro systems are potentially very effective and reliable but the initial cost can be high. The installation cost for a 5kW system can average £20,000 - £25,000. 

Solar collectors work by soaking up and retaining the free heat from the sun's rays.

The solar collectors will be fitted to your roof and most can be integrated into your existing heating system.

The system you will require may vary depending on the type of hot water system you have (some combination boilers are not compatible), the orientation of your roof and space you have available.

Installation costs are approximately £5,000. 

Wood fuelled heating systems are typically wood chips or wood pellet fuelled. You can choose to install a standalone stove or boiler system that can be integrated into the existing central heating or hot water system.

A wood fuelled heating system would be a good option to consider if you have no access to natural gas and have an oil or coal burning heating system. You will also need to consider the installation of an appropriate flume and storage for fuels.

Installation costs will vary with a standalone stove from £3,000 and an entire system from £11,000. 

Low carbon technologies use a small amount of fossil fuel based energy (e.g. electricity) to then collect and convert renewable energy into other forms. Heat pumps are a good example of this and generally very efficient ways of heating a property with between £2 and £4 of heat generated for every £1 of electricity used. Heat pumps come in two main types:

• ground source heat pumps
• air source heat pumps.

A Ground Source Heat Pumps (GSHP) works by absorbing the heat contained in the ground (or even a body of water) and boosts the temperature using an electric compressor. This then can be used to heat hot water and your home with regular radiators or under floor heating.

The pipes that collect the heat are called ground loops and need to be buried into the ground and the length of ground loop you need depends on the amount of heat you require. The ground loop can be buried either laid flat or vertically if there is limited space. Your land will need to be accessible and suitable for digging.

Heat pumps deliver a lower heat over a longer period than conventional boilers so you will need to ensure that your home is well insulated so you are not losing heat. 

A typical system can range from £9,000 to £17,000. This depends on your heat requirements, existing heating system and how well insulated your home is.

An Air Source Heat Pump (ASHP) works in much the same way as the GSHP above but uses the heat in the air (instead of the ground) as a heat source. Heat pumps can be successfully installed to existing homes, providing efficient low-carbon heating and hot water solutions. Whilst Wiltshire Council does not endorse any specific brands the sharing of this YouTube: Heat Pump Possible Project 1: Peacehaven (VaillantUK) (opens new window) video of Kevin McCloud visiting a heat pump retrofit project is intended to demonstrate the benefits of heat pumps.

YouTube: Heat Pump Possible Project 1: Peacehaven (VaillantUK) (opens new window)

Heat pumps deliver a lower heat over a longer period than conventional boilers so you will need to ensure that your home is well insulated so you are not losing heat.

ASHP's may require planning permission depending on size and location but otherwise they offer the same benefits as GSHP's.

A typical system can range from £6,000 to £10,000. This depends on your heat requirements, existing heating system and how well insulated your home is.

Combined Heat and Power or CHP is the simultaneous production of heat and electricity by an engine fitted with a generator. CHP units operate by burning a fuel which can be:

• renewable - e.g. wood or other biomass material
• fossil fuel based - e.g. gas or oil
• residual waste - e.g. waste that would otherwise be sent to land fill.

In all cases, CHP offers a more efficient way of generating electricity as the heat also generated is utilised rather than wasted.

CHP units can be industrial sized or small enough to fit in a home where they are referred to as a 'Micro' CHP units. These are the same size as a conventional gas boiler and can replace it to provide hot water and heat but can also provide enough electricity to power the lighting and appliances in a typical home.

Electricity is only generated when there is a heat demand so you will need to consider your usual heating and electricity use. A CHP unit is most cost effective in a property that has a high heat demand and is difficult to insulate.

Typical installation of a 'Micro' CHP unit costs from £5,500.