Nearly 1,000 Halton homes supplied with eco energy
GOVERNMENT figures show nearly 1,000 homes and businesses across Halton have been installed with renewable energy technology.
Out of the estimated 54,439 households across Runcorn and Widnes, statistics show 994 have been fitted with green electricity generation equipment as of 2017’s first quarter.
The various technologies fitted to households in the borough have the potential to generate 1,942kW of energy.
The vast majority of the technology fitted across the area is solar with 989 homes and firms opting for the renewable energy method.
A further two homes across the borough use wind power and another three are fitted with micro combined heat and power technology.
According to the Energy Saving Trust, it allows heat and electricity to be generated simultaneously from the same energy source in individual homes or buildings.
Across Britain as a whole, more than 797,000 renewable and low- carbon electricity generation technologies have been installed in homes and businesses.
The vast majority of this renewable energy is solar powered, although wind power is also used on occasion.
The Orkney Islands are one of the only few places in Britain where wind outstrips the energy generated by solar power.
A few homes and businesses have also installed hydro powered systems, which generate energy through water.
Even more uncommon is anaerobic digestion – where micro-organisms break down biodegradable material, producing gas that can be used as a fuel, and a source of nutrients that can be used as a fertiliser.
The figures come from the latest feed-in tariff statistics, which run up to the end of March this year and published by the Department For Business, Energy And Industrial Strategy.
Those involved in a feed-in tariff scheme can be paid money for the electricity they generate.
As well as being paid a small amount for every kW they produce, they can sell any extra units they don’t use back to their electricity supplier. ●