Renewable Energy

What is renewable energy?

Renewable energy is generated from natural resources such as the sun, wind and water, which are continuously and naturally replenished.  Renewable energies provide a secure and local source of energy.

What are the benefits of using renewable energy?

Using local natural resources reduces dependency on other countries for non-renewable energy fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas. 

It reduces production of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases (GHGs). 

The growth of the renewables market creates job opportunities and pushes down the prices of technology and energy production. 

Surplus energy can generate income or offset bills saving you money (link to Feed In Tariff).

What is Solar Energy?

Solar Energy is power generated from the heat and light of the sun. One of the most popular renewable energy systems used across the globe, solar energy is arguably the most powerful form of natural energy we can harness as one day of incoming solar radiation can provide enough energy to satisfy global electricity needs for an entire year.

How does Solar PV work?

Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Systems use cells to convert sunlight into electricity. The PV cell is composed of one or two layers of a semi-conducting material, usually silicon.  When light shines on the cell, it creates an electric field across the layers causing electricity to flow: the greater the intensity of the light, the greater the flow of electricity. PV cells are sized according to the amount of energy they generate in full sunlight, known as kilowatt peak or kWp.

How do Solar Thermal systems work?

This technology uses direct heat from the sun to warm domestic hot water, in conjunction with a conventional water heater or immersion heater. Well-developed and available to suit a variety of requirements, their installation requires that solar panels or collectors be fitted on a roof where they will collect heat from the sun's radiation. The incorporated heat transfer system then uses the collected heat to indirectly heat water, which is then stored in your hot water cylinder until required.

What are the benefits of installing Solar Thermals?

  • Solar energy is a renewable, inexhaustible resource.
  • Solar water heating can provide you with about a third of your hot water needs.
  • The average domestic system reduces C02 by around 350kg per year and can save you about £40 a year on your hot water bills, depending on the fuel replaced.
  • Sunlight is free so after the initial capital investment, energy costs will be significantly lower.
  • These systems are silent, have no moving parts and require minimal maintenance.
  • Costs are falling and efficiency is continually on the increase.

Apply for financial assistance

There are some incentives available for homeowners or residential estates wanting to install solar energy on their properties. It is worth checking up on the details beforehand to ensure you don’t miss out.

Tax Allowance for Solar Energy

A tax allowance of up to £3000 over two years is available to households for the installation of solar thermal or PV systems.

  1. A tax allowance of up to £3000, applied over two years, is available for the installation of solar thermal systems or PV panels to supply electricity to households.
  2. The allowance is applicable per household.
  3. Interested parties should apply for planning permission via the standard forms from the Town Planning office. The applicant must submit 2 copies (A3 size plans) and one PDF version. In particular cases the information may need to be supplemented with photos & photo-montages.  
  4. The applications will be streamlined for consideration by the DPC sub-committee, which meets on a weekly or fortnightly basis (depending on the number of submissions).
  5. If successful, you can then proceed with the works after being issued with a Planning Permit and Building Consent (as applicable).
  6. Once these are completed you must advise Town Planning and Building Control so that they can come and inspect the works and also submit invoices/receipts as proof of payment.
  7. Once they are content that the works have been completed satisfactorily, the Town Planner will issue you with a formal letter, confirming the works.
  8. This letter should then be submitted to the Income Tax Office, so that they can process your claim.

Additional info: 

  1. The allowance is for a maximum of £3000, if the value of the works is less than this, the tax allowance will be adjusted accordingly.
  2. If additional works are required for the installation of PV panels or solar thermal systems (e.g. roof stabilisation works etc), planning permission for this will need to be sought separately, via the normal channels.

Soft Loans for Residential Estates

Soft loans are available to residential estates to fund projects that use solar energy to provide electricity for communal lighting, water heating and the powering of lifts and for the replacement of traditional lighting with LED.

Approved projects are eligible for loans of up to 10-years at an effective rate of interest of 1 per cent per annum, with the Government funding the difference in the cost of finance by way of a grant.

  1. Loans are awarded on a case by case basis by the Credit Finance Co. Ltd. Projects need to be submitted to the Department of the Environment for initial approval and need to demonstrate that they will result in a tangible improvement to the environmental performance of the building/estate in question.
  2. There is no set maximum or minimum for the loans, again this is considered on a case by case basis.
  3. Interest is charged at a rate of 6.5 % by the Credit Finance Co. Ltd.
  4. The applicant needs to provide their latest audited accounts – if the estate owes any debt to the Government then this must first be repaid and can be built into the loan.
  5. Applicant needs to provide details on how the loan will be repaid.
  6. Loan period is normally for 5 years but can change depending on the circumstances.
  7. Full details of the works to be undertaken must be submitted along with copies of quotes obtained, etc.
  8. Applicants can then apply for a grant from Government via the Chief Secretary, which would be for 5% of the interest payable on the loan (thus effectively making the loan have a 1% interest rate).