• Renewable Energy
• Environmental Management
  • ISO 14001
  • Green Dragon
  • BS 8555
• Wind Energy Assessments
• Energy Management
• Waste Management
• Transport
• Environmental Legislation
• Auditing and Assessing
• Pollution Control
• Training

Return on investment in renewable energy has never been higher!

Zero carbon energy without any damaging greenhouse gas emissions

Recent technological advances combined with government financial backing and high energy prices mean there has never been a better time to invest in renewable energy.

Renewable energy systems, and in particular wind energy, have developed rapidly over the last three decades to the point where they can provide a reliable and clean source of electricity and heat. Increasing levels of renewable energy help both environmentally – producing zero carbon energy without any damaging greenhouse gas emissions – and economically by reducing energy imports and reliance on foreign governments.

Making the right choice

Investing in renewable energy can lead to an 8 to 12% return on investment. The exact figure will be dependent on type of renewable system being fitted - wind, solar or hydro energy system – and the level of government financial support, particularly with the introduction of the government supported feed-in tariff.

The renewable energy you generate would be sold to energy companies via the national grid – your business would always remain connected to and receive electricity from the national grid!

Installation of a renewable energy system will help insulate your business from further increases in energy prices which are predicted. Globally there are limited reserves of oil and the point is shortly going to be reached when demand out grows supply – a point known as peak oil. As we move closer to this point and the world starts to move out of recession your electricity prices are likely to rise. 

How can the Wales Green Business Centre help?

Our experienced consultants will be able to help you decide what the most suitable renewable energy system for you is – wind, photovoltaic cells, hot water solar panels, hydro or biomass. We can provide an initial consultation to identify the most suitable system and size for you. If you have already made that decision we will be able to help you make a more detailed assessment. To speak to one of our consultants call:

01792 846000

We charge very competitive rates, operate across the UK and can work flexibly to meet your requirements.

Wind energy

• Wales and the UK have some of the best potential for wind power in the world – the majority of which remains undeveloped. Wind turbines come in a range of sizes from a few Kilo Watt’s to multi Mega Watt turbines.
• The type of turbine most suitable for you will depend on local wind speeds, the land area available, planning issues, available finance to take forward the project, and access to the national grid. Wind turbines typically have a load factor of 20-35% which takes into account the fact that wind does not blow all the time or at the optimum speed.
• Obtaining planning permission is a key factor for wind turbine schemes, and our consultants will be able to identify the most likely planning issues to arise with your site as well as the size of turbine most suitable for your needs.

PV Panels

• Solar panels or photo voltaic cells generate electricity when light shines on the PV cells consisting of two layers of semi conducting material, usually silicon, which causes an electric field across the two layers and an electric current to flow.
• An office or factory roof provides an ideal location to mount the panels ideally at 40 degree angle and facing due south.
• The panels themselves once installed emit no pollution, do not need to be refueled, require virtually no maintenance and have a long life span.
• Planning permission is no longer required for roof mounted solar panels provided the building is not listed.

Solar Hot Water or SHW

• One of the most cost effective ways to incorporate renewable energy technologies into your business, particularly if you are a large user of hot water such as a campsite with a shower block or a heated swimming pool.
• Depending on the business situation SHW panels can contribute 50% to 70% of annual water heating requirements (90% in summer, 50-60% in spring and autumn and 20% in winter months). Back-up boilers can be installed to ensure the required water temperature is reached.
• Like solar PV panels, solar hot water panels will work best if fitted at 40 degrees and facing south. 

Hydro

• For centuries micro-hydro power or small scale water power provided the majority of our energy needs until we started to burn fossil fuels.
• Power can be generated wherever there is a sufficient volume of water dropping a sufficient height – known as the head of water.
• Technology has developed rapidly allowing relatively small volumes of water to generate energy, which could provide a new lease of life to old mill sites.
• An advantage of hydro power is that seasonal flow rates can be predicted giving a steady flow of energy.
• Land ownership issues and water abstraction agreements need to be finalised before projects are progressed. 

Biomass

• Biomass is classed as a renewable energy source provided that the trees or other plant material that is felled or harvested for fuel is allowed to replenish in a sustainable manner.
• If allowance is made for the use of fossil fuels during the growing, cutting, and processing use of wood pellets can give a carbon reduction of 90% over fossil fuels.
• Modern biomass boilers can now be virtually fully automated with very limited handling required and be a relatively compact system and storage.
• Provision needs to be made for the storage and delivery of the fuel source, and disposal of the ash.

 

 

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Wales Green Business Centre, 1 High St, Clydach, Swansea, SA6 5LG.
Tel: 01792 846000. Fax: 01792 846404. info@walesgreenbusinesscentre.co.uk