Greenearth Energy

New Developments in Domestic Renewable Energy
Saving money, saving the planet                              
Get your ROCs off   

by James Stoney & Dai Rees                                                

Guests at the Kellehers’ B&B near the Brecon Beacons National Park aren’t just treated to a glimpse of a rural idyll, with produce from the farm, and stunning views. More often than not they are also invited to view their hosts’ boiler; it’s not just any boiler you understand – it’s a high efficiency log boiler.

They already had installed solar panels to heat their hot water, but even so for heating the house they were using over 2,200 litres of oil per year. They use the waste offcuts from a fencepost business nearby, and have reduced heating costs form £1000 per year to £150.

Compared to these savings, the payback from PV installations has been low, but will improve from next year. For example Good Energy currently pays producers of PV 9p per kWh for everything they generate. This includes the 4.7p for the ROC (Renewable Obligation Certificate). Next year the ROC is set to be raised to 9.4p, so the payback should almost double, and will encourage more people to install their own PV system.