Energy – cheap, eco-friendly and essential. I don’t think so. Not only are energy bills at an all time high, but it would seem that we are relatively reluctant to do anything about it.
Electricity dominates the majority of homes within the UK. From plugging in your cooker to heating your hair straighteners we have all developed into a world in which electricity is, literally, on tap. Preventing the rise of yet more fossil fuel usage, we need to take action now, but how many of us actually want to?
After researching solar powered energy, I found that the pros and cons were still heavily outweighed. Particularly influential during the current economic status was the financial costs of transforming our homes into eco friendly solar power stations. Partha Das Sharma’s blog heavily examines the ins and outs of solar powered energy, but concludes that the cost of instalment compared to the amount of energy produced by square metre is vastly outbalanced.
Having put the question to the general public, using Twitter as my source, I was able to identify the main issues with eco home improvements. Along with the financial implications, many people thought they were unattractive features. This, in line with the financial costs, may be tempting architects not to introduce solar panels in new builds.
However, having recently watched Grand Designs on Channel Four, I found that many architects are, in fact drawn to the eco-home agenda. The four bedroom new build, designed by Richard Hawes, not only holds revolutionary solar panels and has a roof three times as thick as a normal residential home, but can create up to £1,800 of excess energy a year which it can then sell back to its providers.
The house, located in Kent, has sparked that much interest within the environmental sector that the University of Cambridge had sensors embedded in the roof to monitor energy levels. Although costing a small fortune to build, the house certainly offers more long term benefits than any other property.
The long term investments and benefits of solar powered homes are, in most cases, worthwhile. But, as stated before, the initial costs can put people off. Several articles and blogs commented on the accessibility to sun light in big, busy cities. In one particular blog, a solar panel was fitted on the 6th floor of a 12 storey flat for 6 days, only to recuperate enough sun to light two lamps. The adjacent 12 storey block was thought to be the cause of low input, however it cannot be certain.
If we are to be tempted by the eco-friendly energy providers we need at least one of the following:
a) Cheaper installation and products
b) Stronger and more reliable panels
Although neither may be available at the present moment, it seems most people would like to have solar panels or some other sort of fossil fuel saving equipment, but are not willing to sacrifice the look of their home, or the money needed for installation. If we are to encourage more people to engage with solar power, perhaps we need to go back to the drawing board.
7 Comments
February 23, 2009 at 12:09 pm
I watched the latest episode with a keen eye on how they were making this house energy efficient and what I picked up was that energy efficiency requires a lot of money.
How much of a role should the government be playing in pushing for a energy efficient Britain?
Should it be a planning requirement for developers of new build houses and apartments to install more eco-friendly features rather than leaving it up to conscientious owners to have to take apart their new built home to install a more green way of heating or powering it?
Maybe the government should be subsidising the producers of green products to enable a reduction in prices or perhaps some sort of tax credit for home owners/landlords who show green credentials?
Unfortunately it takes a lot more than good intentions to be green and it seems that the government is happy to throw it’s money behind industry and the financial sector but we have to hope that it will look at what else is important for our future!
February 23, 2009 at 12:57 pm
Thanks for the comment, and yes I totally agree. If the government pushed for more energy efficient housing projects materials would soon become cheaper and readily available.
Solar panels are only seen as “eye-sores” because they are still fairly uncommon, if the latest architect encorporated them into a new radical design I’m sure we would see installation numbers rocket!
February 23, 2009 at 5:11 pm
Do people find solar panels unattractive?
I’m surprised as I see them as pretty unoffensive; however, I would quite like a wind farm so perhaps I’m in the minority.
February 24, 2009 at 11:56 am
Some of the replies on Twitter lead me to think so… such as blondepinky3’s comment “no they are not hot ha ha”
But guess they are fairly unoffensive, it just depends where they need to be placed in order to get the most sunlight.. but again may be a personal thing..
Wind farms… hmmm now theres a thought.. Do you mean the BIG white ones that are constantly featured on local news with complaints and mishaps?? Have a look at these… http://bit.ly/bOAXj http://bit.ly/7qlBR
Not saying they are a bad idea.. far from it, but think you’re neighbours will have a thing or two to say!!
February 24, 2009 at 12:03 pm
I’d happily knock down my neighbours flats andhave a bit wind farm next door, probably less noisy.
February 24, 2009 at 2:33 pm
Haha… permission granted!
March 2, 2009 at 11:50 pm
[...] Comments on the subject, such as: “I would quite like a wind farm so perhaps I’m in the minority.” Martin, 23/02/2009 [...]