How Solar Power For The People Can Cut Carbon Emissions

Here in the UK, a government backed report has stated that buildings equipped with solar panels, wind-powered turbines and other renewable energy sources could generate as much electricity a year as 5 nuclear power stations.

A large-scale switch to micro renewable energy systems could save 30m tonnes of CO2. This is the equivalent of nearly 5% of all carbon emissions produced in generating electricity in the UK.

The report said if the government offered the right incentives to homeowners and businesses, nearly 10m microgeneration systems could be installed by 2020, dramatically reducing the UK's carbon emissions and spiralling energy costs.

It estimated there are nearly 100,000 of the units already installed in Britain, ithe most popular being solar energy water heaters which number around 90,000.

If no action is taken, said the report, the UK could expect only about 500,000 micro generators to be installed by 2015 and 2m to 3m by 2020, a large drop in what could have been.

But with the right incentives, nearly 20%of buildings could have some sort of mini power station built into it, feeding electricity into the grid or generating enough to be largely self-sufficient.

Some of the greatest gains would come from combined heat and power units, which are suitable for large blocks of flats, estates and businesses.

There really is no excuse for not grabbing this opportunity with both hands. Why not make a law that all new buildings should be made with solar energy panels built into them. That would be a start!

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