Below we will look at the individual technologies to help you narrow down your options. For more information take a look at our fact sheets. You can also contact your local energy agency, council or visit the Energy Saving Trust website.

Remember, before installing micro-generation technology you should first do everything you can to reduce your energy demand.

Some systems will need planning permission or at least the involvement of the planning department of the local council. The planning system in the UK is currently changing to make the installation of micro-generation easier and simpler.

Once you have decided which technology is an appropriate option for you, contact at least two installers for quotes. They should also be able to assist you with your choice and size of system.

It is best to contact local installers so that they do not have to travel far.

Wind

Using the wind to generate electricity can be a very visual and effective means of introducing micro-generation. Wind turbines come in several forms and there are key questions to ask before deciding which, if any is for your community building:

Is there enough wind? This might sound like a daft question but basically it is the most important. Put simply, if your area isn’t windy enough then a wind turbine will not be the best micro-generation technology for you. A preliminary investigation can be made by visiting the DTI’s Windspeed database (see Wind Factsheet for details).

Do you have enough land to put it on or a friendly land owner that will allow you to put up a wind turbine? You will need to work with your surveyor or installer to determine what would be the best technology for you as some turbines require a lot more space than others.

Do you need planning permission for a wind turbine? Before deciding on your system, talk to your local planning department to engage them with your project and properly understand the local planning regulations. It is much easier to work with local planners as you develop your project than to consult them once decisions or purchases have been made.

E.ON UK installs commercial scale wind turbines (125m tall) throughout England, Wales and Scotland. If you think that the area close to where you are might be suitable, please visit (insert link to Community Power site) for details of our Community Power wind cluster business.

Solar Power

Solar power can mean two completely different things – generating electricity, solar photovoltaic (solar PV) or generating heat, solar thermal systems. Here we discuss them separately.

Solar Thermal - Hot Water Systems

Solar thermal systems heat water up using the sun and, for maximum efficiency, are usually mounted on unshaded south facing roofs.

You will need to consider if the usage of your building merits the use of a solar thermal unit. If your building is only used two days a week or there is little usage of hot water, it may be inappropriate. You will also need to make sure your insulation and heating controls are efficient in order to get the most out of this type of system.

If you have a south facing roof and you need hot water, get in touch with at least three installers to assist you with sizing the unit. Also speak to your local planning department to understand if there are any regulations or requirements you need to adhere to.

For new build systems, it may be possible to make use of the solar thermal system to provide a contribution to the space heating as well; discuss this with your engineer to make sure the system is properly designed to make use of this feature.

Solar PV

Photovoltaic panels generate electricity from the sun. PV panels are becoming less expensive, but at the moment they are not cost effective under UK conditions. A typical 2kWh system will generate around 1,500kWh annually however you need to bear in mind that most of this will be produced during daylight hours and particularly in summer - so you may end up exporting most of your generated power.

However, if your electricity needs are mainly for lighting or other electrical loads during the day, PV may be for you.

As with a solar thermal unit you will need a south facing roof which is unshaded and, as with any technology, check with your local planning department before you progress.

Ground Source Heat Pumps (GSHP)

A ground source heat pump takes heat from the ground, concentrates it and uses it to heat your building. A similar unit can draw its warmth from a body of water.

This technology is not “renewable” as it requires an input of electricity to power the pump itself. However, typically one unit of electricity will give you three to four units of heat output – so it is a good way of making our energy go further.

The most common systems lay pipes in the ground at a depth of approximately one and a half metres. A liquid is pumped through these pipes which is then used to heat up water which circulates round your building.

Mostly systems are designed with the pipes horizontal in the ground as this is the cheapest option. However if space is limited, the pipes for the system can be placed vertically in the ground. In either situation a soil test will need to be done.

Make sure you get three quotes from reputable installers and check for planning requirements in your area.

Micro-hydro

Micro-hydro systems generate electricity from water so firstly, your building will need to be near a river and you need a sufficient volume of water flowing fast enough.

Old water mills and weirs are a good indication of sufficient water flow. A micro-hydro unit could generate energy for just your building or several, depending on the size of system installed.

Electricity generated can be stored or sold into the national grid. An abstraction licence will need to be applied for from the Environment Agency and installers can help you with this for a fee as it is quite a complex application process.

Of all the technologies this is possibly the most difficult to install and the Energy Saving Trust and the British Hydro Power Association have detailed information available on their websites. As with all technologies, you should consult with your local planning department early on in your project and obtain at least two quotes.

Heat from Wood

The burning of wood for heat is probably familiar to most of us. Indeed this has been practised almost since the beginning of mankind. The technology to do this nowadays is far from primitive though and there are now systems available requiring little more ‘hands-on’ time than a standard oil burner.

Burning wood is sustainable (so long as the wood is grown as quickly as it is used). It is also carbon neutral as the same amount of carbon emitted when the wood is burnt has already been absorbed by the plant as it grew. If wood is burnt efficiently in modern systems it need not affect air quality with the smoke from the chimney either.

Some crops, such as ‘Elephant Grass’ and ‘Short Rotation Coppice’ are now specifically grown as heating fuel, but there is still lots of ‘waste’ wood from sawmills and forestry operations. Using this fuel all goes to help the local economy, jobs and the environment often resulting in better woodland management and encouraging more sustainable, wildlife friendly practices, such as coppicing.

There are a number of different systems now available and to find out more take a look at our fact sheet or contact a local supplier. As always, to make sure you are choosing the right system and supplier for you, obtain comparative quotes and check out local planning regulations.

Combined Heat and Power (CHP)

A tried and tested technology and once the preserve of larger developments, CHP is now being widely used for smaller scale applications, including the domestic sector.

A CHP unit is like a normal boiler that heats up your water. However, it also generates electricity some of which is used in the home, the remainder exported to the grid. Any shortfall is still met from electricity from the grid, but this technology can meet a large proportion of a home’s electricity needs.

CHP is a fuel efficient energy technology that, unlike conventional forms of power generation, puts to use the by-product heat that is normally wasted to the environment. CHP can increase the overall efficiency of fuel used to more then 90% compared with around 40% from conventional electricity generation.

Furthermore, because it supplies electricity for the building itself, CHP can also avoid transmission and distribution losses. CHP is an important element in the Government's new energy policy.

If your building is connected to mains gas, there is potential to consider CHP for the future to upgrade your heating system, whilst at the same time, generating some electricity for use within the building.

District Heating

District heating is a way of ‘sharing’ heat. It is usually seen in the form of waste or excess heat from factories being used to heat nearby buildings. Examples of this can be seen across Europe, but there are not many examples of its use in the UK. It would involve the co-operation of a number of stakeholders. A high level of strategic planning would be required, and it would be advisable to involve the local council in any such plans. Also your building would need to be near a source of heat.

When the Battersea Power Station was still operational in London, warm waste water was used in the heating systems of the nearby Churchill Gardens Estate. In Denmark, district heating covers more than 60% of space heating requirements, including hot water.

With increased energy efficiency of your building, significant savings could be achieved with a district heating system in place. Woking Borough Council have put some district heating systems in place.