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HRH The Prince of Wales, who recently came out of the solar power closet in favour of installing renewable energy sources at his London Clarence House residence, is scheduled to go on a five-day tour of Britain next week to highlight examples of communities and individuals starting to live more sustainably.

Part of the START initiative, the Royal Tour will include visits to a community-run city farm in Newcastle, a town-wide ‘grow your own’ project in Yorkshire, and an energy savings company in Nottingham as well as three national START festivals, two START Living Shops and a civic dinner in Manchester. The tour will begin in Glasgow on 6 September, before heading to Edinburgh, Carmarthen, Bristol, Newcastle, Todmorden, Manchester, Nottingham, and Birmingham, finishing in London on 10 September.

The Prince will be travelling on the Royal Train, which runs on bio-fuel, and he will host a series of meetings and receptions between station stops. The Duchess of Cornwall will join the tour for the Bristol and London visits.

Related Articles

• Charles plans national green tour (bbc.co.uk)
• Charles to embark on sustainable living tour (independent.co.uk)
• Prince of Wales to tour the country to promote ‘sustainable living’ (telegraph.co.uk)
• Julie Burchill: So the Prince of Green Hypocrites is going on tour. Thank God I’ll be abroad (independent.co.uk)
• Prince (Not the Musician) on Tour for Sustainability (treehugger.com)
• Prince of Wales wins right to install solar panels on Clarence House (telegraph.co.uk)

HomeSun, the free power company, is looking for 100,000 homes to install solar panels for free over the next 3 years, 2000 of which will be in the next 12 months, it says.

This offer, announced on 5 August, has produced a staggering response – with more than 40,000 customer enquiries flooding into the company, 80 per cent via the HomeSun website, where a simple tool helps people identify whether their home is suitable for the free offer or an alternate paid-for system.

HomeSun is one of a number of companies making similar free offers to homeowners – but its simple buyout scheme allows customers anytime within the 25-year contract term to pay for the cost of the equipment, based on monthly residual valuation model.

Bill Sneyd, HomeSun’s Chief Operating Officer told Home Zero Home: “We make it very simple for our customers and we are very upfront about explaining that it is simple to pay for the equipment at anytime during the contract should they wish, or if their financial circumstances change to make this possible.

“The buyout price is determined with a starting retail cost of the equipment, which for the larger 3.5kWp system in our free offer averages out at around £15,000, so using that as the day one valuation, the cost to buyout is this figure less £50 per month for each month the contract has been in force.”

Mr Sneyd gave Home Zero Home this example:

• Customer A’s solar PV equipment is installed by HomeSun at their home on a south-facing, unshaded roof.  They benefit from cheaper electricity immediately and feel good about being a  ‘green’ energy early adopter.

• The retail cost of the equipment on day one of the 25 year contract (300 months) is £15,000.

• After ten years (120 months), Customer A decides they would like to take up HomeSun’s option to buy the equipment, and in turn get the benefit of the Feed-in-Tariff (FiT) revenue directly.

• HomeSun establishes the buyout price of the equipment to be £15,000 minus £50 X 120 months (£6,000) = £9,000 and communicates this to Customer A.

• Customers A pays £9,000 to HomeSun and the contract is terminated.

HomeSun operates on an increasingly familiar business model (becoming known as the ‘rent a roof’ model) whereby they install the solar PV kit for free and then maintain it for 25 years as part of a contract with the homeowner.  Costs for solar PV equipment (typically a 3kwh system) vary and Home Zero Home has been quoted prices from £11,000 to £16,000 but prices should decrease in time.

In turn, over the contract term, the companies recoup the initial investment in the equipment and generate an ongoing revenue from the UK’s generous Feed-in-Tariff (FiT), which was introduced in April this year.

The Feed-in-Tariff is enshrined in law and ensures that electricity companies pay a fee per unit of electricity for the energy generated in homes from renewable sources, such as solar.  Such tariffs are commonplace in other countries, such as Germany where they were introduced in 2000, and are used as an incentive to encourage take-up and use of renewable energy technologies and in turn decrease carbon emissions.

The benefits to homeowners who take up offers such as HomeSun’s are: the chance to be an early adopter in the green energy revolution; zero upfront cost outlay on the equipment; and cheaper electricity bills – approximately a 30 per cent plus decrease depending on particular usage factors and the quality of your home insulation.  Indeed, Home Zero Home would highly recommend that you survey and improve your home’s insulation at the same time as installing any renewable energy source.  That way, you will maximise energy efficiency and utility savings.

HomeSun’s contract, like those offered by Isis Solar and A Shade Greener, transfer with ownership should you move home within the 25-year term, passing to the new owner once a sale is completed – and a solar powered home is potentially a positive factor in making a property attractive to a purchaser.

Daniel Green, CEO at HomeSun, said at the time of launch of HomeSun’s offer: “Solar power is natural, free and clean – and it’s the price which has slowed widespread take-up.  We are changing that – today is the beginning of a new era as HomeSun takes solar power out into the mainstream. As oil becomes the new tobacco, more and more people are looking for a clean & renewable solution – but it has to be a head and heart decision.   Finally, with HomeSun, solar makes sense both financially and environmentally.”

To find whether you qualify for free installation contact a HomeSun consultant on 0844 770 9922 or visit www.homesun.com

Related Articles

• HomeSun To Give Free Solar Panels to 2.5M Households (solarfeeds.com)
• HomeSun to offer free solar panel installations to UK households (newstatesman.com)
• Be wary of ‘solar for free’ offers, householders told (guardian.co.uk)
• HomeSun To Offer Free Solar Panel Installations To UK Households (solar.energy-business-review.com)
• UK start up announces £1bn solar panel “giveaway” (businessgreen.com)
• Free solar panels sound good, but buying them yourself is better (guardian.co.uk)

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WE’VE not written much on this blog about A Shade Greener apart from a few passing mentions with regards to recent free solar power offers – but the company is definitely doing its bit to prove that even if you are based in the slightly less sunny northern part of the UK, you can still benefit from solar power and cheaper electricity bills.

Figures released earlier this month by Ofgem, the gas and electricity regulator, revealed the number of solar PV installations which have taken place since 1 April, 2010 – when the Feed-in-tariff (FiT) was introduced in the UK – up to 31 July, 2010.

According to A Shade Greener the figures demonstrated that Yorkshire and Humberside is now just behind the South West and South East when it comes to megawatts of solar PV fitted since the FiT scheme began.

It says on the company’s website: “An astonishing 1.69 megawatts were fitted in the Yorkshire & Humberside region from 1st April to 31st July and the Solar Power Portal considers that our company’s scheme is the reason that the installations for this region are much higher than would be expected.”

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UK solar installation figures revealed

Free solar panels for Barnsley residents

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Professor of Nanotechnology at the University of Leicester, Professor Chris Binns (pictured) , said the collaboration offered a tremendous opportunity to develop a new method for harnessing solar energy:

“The material has been designed by EnSol AS and is based on nanoparticles that can be synthesised in Leicester. In fact, following some initial investment by the company, the equipment we have here at the University of Leicester is uniquely suited in the world to produce small amounts of the material for prototypes.”

Professor Binns added that the technology has the potential to generate power on a large scale and can also be applied to materials other than glass, including building structures and roof tiles.  “Also since it is a thin film that can be coated onto large areas it could become very much cheaper than conventional devices,” he said.

Related Articles

• Whole buildings could become solar panels (telegraph.co.uk)
• Spray-On Solar Panels – EnSol AS is Producing Eco Energy in a Can (GALLERY) (trendhunter.com)
• Nanomaterials Environmental Impact Conference to Be at Clemson (merid.org)
• Spray-on film turns windows into solar panels (gizmag.com)
• Transparent Solar Spray Transforms Windows Into Watts (inhabitat.com)

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KEEPING up this week’s ornithological theme here, news just in reveals that from Friday this week until 22 August the 22nd Annual British Birdwatching Fair – Europe‘s biggest gathering of ornithologists – is taking place at Rutland Water Nature Reserve.

Described as the “birdwatcher’s Glastonbury,” Birdfair encompasses the whole spectrum of the birdwatching industry whilst at the same time supporting global bird conservation. This is the event of the year if you’re into birds and wildlife. There are hundreds of stands selling the latest products for wildlife enthusiasts. You’ll find everything, from scopes to sculptures, binoculars to bird food, eGuides to eco-holidays!

Organisers promise a packed programme of events. Three separate timetables boast a fantastic variety of lectures. The Events Marquee hosts quiz shows, question and answer sessions, exclusive book launches and family-based entertainment. The Birdfair Auction offers the chance to bid for a whole host of lots, donated by exhibitors, ranging from holidays, to artwork, to unique one-off experiences, with all the monies raised going directly to this year’s Birdfair project.

Sounds like awesome summer fun… and if ever there was an HZH post worth re-tweeting it’s this one!!

Related Articles

• This week’s new events (guardian.co.uk)
• N.B. birdwatchers treated to rare sight (cbc.ca)
• Bird-watchers asked to record sightings of common species (timesonline.co.uk)
• Rare white ravens have bird-watchers flocking to B.C. beach (theprovince.com)

They can be seen pretty much everyday with the help of volunteers from the RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds), which has telescopes trained on the falcons for passers-by to marvel at.  And it really is a site worth seeing if you’re in the area.

RSPB volunteers will be at the viewpoint daily, from 12 noon to 7 pm.  The viewing site has four telescopes and an information trailer and is located close to the Tate Modern café, just at the southern end steps of the Millennium Bridge.

Not normally a place associated with wildlife, the Tate Modern has become a favourite summer hunting spot for the pair of peregrine falcons, who return to their original nearby nesting site every year, perching up high on the art gallery and former power station’s chimney.

If you are lucky enough to see the birds take to the air they can show amazing turns of speed – reaching up to 200 miles per hour in some instances.  Eating mainly pigeons, of which there are plenty in London, the peregrine falcons also hunt smaller birds and mammals, like voles and shrews. The females are bigger and much faster than the males, so if you see one speeding around the Tate Modern chimney, it is probably the female.

The RSPB volunteers and information trailer will be at the site until September 12.

The guidance comes after a spate of offers from companies offering free solar power for homeowners, reported in the national media in recent weeks (see previous Home Zero Home posts about Isis Solar Limited and other companies).  The service offered by companies providing free solar panels is a legitimate business model which could provide a way for consumers to save money on electricity bills and produce green energy, without having to pay for the solar panel kit. The companies benefit by getting money for the electricity that is produced (through the Government’s Feed-in Tariffs introduced in April 2010)  by the solar panels, while the homeowner gets free electricity.

Liz Laine, energy expert at Consumer Focus, said:

“Free solar panels could cut consumers electricity bills and allow them to produce green energy at no cost, but customers need to go into these deals with their eyes open. These long-term contracts need to be considered carefully.  Asking the right questions and getting legal advice could help customers avoid the potential pitfalls of these schemes.”

Simon Roberts, Chief Executive at CSE, said:

We’re sure there are perfectly reasonable deals out there, but before agreeing to let someone install a small electricity generating station on the roof of your home, householders and community organisations should be asking the right questions about the risks and liabilities.”

A free factsheet from Consumer Focus is available to download here.

Another company, HomeSun, waded in this week with a similar offer, reported on Sky News and in the Daily Express.  And that follows previous offers from companies such as A Shade Greener.  Here, we have captured and linked the main news items discussing these various offers and the companies behind them.

When Home Zero Home launched last year (one year ago this month in fact) we felt we were pretty late to the party with regards looking at green issues, and in particular steps people can take in the home to become ‘greener,’ save energy and perhaps save money as well.  But, even then, you wouldn’t find too many major news outlets covering stories about solar power… not in a positive way anyway.

So, it’s good to see that solar power has made it to the top of the news agenda at last.  Here’s our pick of the latest stories, in case you missed them or need to catch up:

Sky News (05 August, 2010)… HomeSun wants to enable people to produce their own power by offering their system in return for a share of the savings they make on their electricity bills

Media kick-off: The Times reported "free solar power" for the people on 28 July, 210

Daily Express (05 August, 2010)… BLAZING relentlessly in the heavens, 93 million miles above the surface of the Earth, it’s our greatest untapped resource

Bloomberg (05 August, 2010)… The U.K., known for rain and gray skies, enjoyed record installations of solar panels in July after the government guaranteed prices for electricity from renewable energy up to 10 times market rates

Solar Power Portal (05 August, 2010)… Joining the likes of ‘A Shade Greener,’ renewable energy provider ISIS Solar has revealed that it will install an initial 18,000 solar systems, for FREE in the south of the UK. Many more companies are expected to follow suit as the year progresses, taking advantage of the UK’s generous feed-in tariff, while providing free renewable electricity for the homes it selects.

PV-tech.org (05 August, 2010)… Taking advantage of the UK’s feed-in tariff, Oxford-based ISIS Solar said it will install 18,000 rooftop solar systems, free of charge. The company will begin by installing the systems in the south of the country, but will move north as the year progresses, reports PV-Tech’s UK-based sister site.

The Sunday Times (31 July, 2010)… bills could jump sharply this year. Isis Solar, an alternative-energy firm…outweigh the upfront costs. The Isis Solar deal came as British Gas announced…fed back to the national grid. Isis saidsolar panels generally produce enough to cover…

Mail on Sunday (31 July, 2010)… British Gas customers and consumer groups have reacted angrily after the utilities giant’s profits almost doubled while millions of people struggle to pay bills.  Customers are being urged to take action by switching to a cheaper fuel deal before winter

Daily Mail (28 July, 2010)… Thousands of homeowners are being offered the chance to loan their roofs to a solar power firm in return for cheaper electricity bills.  Householders who agree to having the panels installed free of charge will see their bills fall by up to two thirds

The Times (28 July, 2010)… the chance to rent their roofs to a solar power company in exchange for cheaper electricity bills. The company, Isis Solar, will pay for solar panels to be…average household electricity bill. Isis Solar, which plans to install a 3.3…

The data, published by the Department of Energy and Climate Change, comes at an interesting time – when consumer interest in solar power is at its highest due to a rush of new companies offering free solar power to Britain’s householders.

In 2009, biomass accounted for 80.7% of renewable energy sources used, with most of the remainder coming from large-scale hydro and wind generation.   In the same year, the proportion of UK electricity generated from renewables was 6.7 per cent of the total energy generated.

Domestic energy consumption increased by 7 per cent between 1990 and 2009.  However, as a result of the 5.2 per cent decrease (2.8 million tonnes of oil equivalent) between 2008 and 2009, domestic energy consumption has fallen to its lowest level since 1995, 10 per cent lower than the peak seen in 2004.

For context, since 1990, the number of households in the UK increased by 18 per cent, the population by 8 per cent and total household disposable income by 58 per cent in real terms.

In 2008, space heating accounted for 58 per cent of all energy consumed in the domestic sector, water heating a further 24 per cent, with lighting and appliances and cooking responsible for 16 and 3 per cent.

According to DECC’s information: “It is estimated that had the savings through insulation and heating efficiency improvements from 1970 onwards not been made, then energy consumption in homes would be around twice current levels.”

The Digest of United Kingdom Energy Statistics 2010 is available from the Stationery Office at a cost of £54 (ISBN 9780115155260) and on the Internet at: http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/statistics/publications/dukes/dukes.aspx

UK Energy in Brief included with this year’s Digest, is a booklet summarising the main figures in the publication.  UK Energy in Brief is also available on the Internet at: http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/statistics/publications/brief/brief.aspx

The 2009 Energy Flow Chart included with this year’s Digest, is a chart showing the UK energy flows of primary fuels from home production and imports to their eventual final uses. The 2009 Energy Flow Chart is also available on the Internet at: http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/statistics/publications/flow/flow.aspx

UK Energy in Brief and the 2009 Energy Flowchart are available on request from DECC, 0300 068 5056.

How does this free solar PV offer work?

LB: “If you own a house with a clear south-facing roof that is un-shaded you may be eligible for ISIS solar’s offer of free solar power.  ISIS solar will install, operate and maintain a 3kW solar system on your roof. You can use all of the electricity it generates and never have to pay us anything.”

How much will it cost?

LB: “Nothing. ISIS own the system and there is no charge to you ever. ISIS makes its money from the Governments new Feed in Tariff.  The Feed in Tariff was introduced by the government to encourage the renewable generation of electricity. The scheme guarantees a minimum payment for renewable electricity generated and exported for 25 years. These payments are made in addition to the electricity generated by the solar installation.”

Find out more about Feed in Tariffs here

How much will I save?

LB: “It depends on how much you currently pay and when you use electricity but we think £300 a year would be typical. Our consultants will be happy to provide you with a personalised quote.” www.isis-solar.com

Is England sunny enough?

LB: “Yes. England has about the same amount of sunshine as Germany, a country with 10,000 MegaWatts of solar panels installed.  The system will produce more electricity in the summer than winter but even on the darkest days it will work.”

Will I notice a difference?

LB: “Only to your bills. Your lights will glow just as bright, your shower just as hot. Your energy supply will remain the same quality and power as it is today.”

What happens if I sell my home?

LB: “The solar panels remain on the property. We think a house with its own free, clean electricity supply is an attractive prospect for a buyer.”

Can I just buy a system instead?

LB: “If you prefer, ISIS Solar is happy to sell you a system to meet your needs. Please contact our consultants to receive a quote. You can call us on: 0800 112 31 00″

If you have any more questions not answered here, leave a reply and HZH will find out the answers for you!