Renewable technologies explained
The Energy Savings Trust has comprehensive information on the technologies available, the links below will take you to the relevant section of their website:
Domestic biomass heating (opens in new window)
Burning wood pellets or chips in a stove or boiler
Ground source heat pumps (opens in new window)
Use energy from the ground for space and water heating
Small scale hydro (opens in new window)
Uses the power of falling water to generate electricity
Small scale wind energy (opens in new window)
Uses wind turbines
Solar panels (opens in new window)
Can be used for heating water
Solar panels for generating electricity (opens in new window)
Known as solar photovoltaic
Which one is right for me?
The links below will take you to charts which have been created to show whether a technology would be suitable for your circumstances/location:
To view PDFs you will need Acrobat Reader. Download Acrobat Reader (opens in new window)
Solar panels for generating electricity
Small scale hydro:
Where can they be used/technical issues:
- Access to an appropriate water source required
- Suitable head size required
- There needs to be enough space to house the ancillary equipment the system requires
- All watercourses are controlled by the Environment Agency and a licence will need to be obtained for the removal of water from a watercourse even if the water is to be returned
- Consideration needs to be given to possible noise from the turbine
- Visual and water ecology impacts need to be considered
