Micro Generation

If you would like to go one step further than reducing your energy consumption by making your home more energy efficient and would like to actually produce your own electricity then there are 4 main ways in which you can do this, each has their own benefits and drawbacks.

1. Photovoltaic cells (solar panels) which turn sunlight directly into usable and storable electricity even on cloudy days.  The main benefit of photovoltaic cells (solar panels) is that they provide a reliable and dependable source of electricity all year round and also, depending on the building on which they are fixed they can be aesthetically more pleasing than wind turbines.  Also, as there are no moving parts, they tend to be more reliable.  Their drawbacks are their initial expense and their electrical output is reduced in winter when you tend to use more electricity compared to wind turbines, which tend to create more electricity in the winter.
   
   
2. Wind turbines turn the mechanical movement created by wind directly into usable and storable electricity.  Their advantages over photovoltaic cells (solar panels) are firstly their cheaper initial outlay per KWH and secondly their output is not affected by shorter daylight hours.  The disadvantages of wind turbines over photovoltaic cells (solar panels) are firstly that when the wind is not blowing there is no electrical output and you will have to switch to stored electricity or your grid connection.  Secondly, only certain areas would have what is considered to be an adequate mean wind strength.  To find out if your property is suitable, following this link to ******.  Thirdly, wind turbines will require some mechanical maintenance over their life although modern turbines are designed very well and this is kept to a minimum.
   
   
3. Hydo generation (water power) is only available to people who have a natural water supply in their grounds.  Contact us if you would like a consultation.
   
   
4. Local electrical generation  - this is where a gas fired or bio fuelled boiler is installed similar to the Baxi chp boiler.  It is a combination of a gas/biofuel hot water boiler and an electric generator.  The idea being that it completely does away with the energy lost in the transmission and distribution of electricity via the grid system.  This is the latest technology in micro generation so the jury is still out on its advantages and disadvantages.  The advantages that we here at Green Earth Electrical can see is that the KWH output is high and reliable due to its non-dependence on the elements and it’s disadvantage is that the gas fired boiler still burns fossil fuels to produce electricity.
   
   

If you’re interested in any of the micro generation techniques then contact us for a free, no obligation competitive quote. All work is certified by the NICEIC governing body and all parts and labour are guaranteed.