Microgeneration - in practice

While in theory, microgeneration should work anywhere, not every location is suitable. Each type works best in specific circumstances, such as:

• having enough wind for a turbine (in cities this is a problem)
• having enough sun for a solar panel (does your roof face south or is it shaded by tall trees?)
• having access to alternative fuels for a boiler (no good having a wood burning stove if there’s not an easily available supply of wood)
• having enough land available to take the heat from for a heat pump.
   

It takes careful planning and calculations to work out out whether each type of system will actually work in the individual location chosen. Equally, if you only have a limited amount of money to spend, you may find that more energy is saved by carefully insulating your house than investing in microgeneration.

Embodied energy – are we really saving any energy or money?

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