IF eco-warriors including Prince Charles and Glastonbury founder Michael Eavis have their way, solar panels and wind turbines could soon be heating homes and lighting offices in the UK with renewable energy.

His eco-minded Royal Highness recently called on Britons to take shorter showers to save money on energy bills – and revealed he increased the use of renewable energy at his four households to 22 per cent last year.

Farmer Eavis has just started building more than 1,000 solar panels on the roof of his cow barn in Somerset, in what’s thought to be the biggest solar roof in the country since new government subsidies were announced in April.

Renewable energy is a green, cost-effective alternative to coal, oil and natural gas. Easily replenished (or ‘renewed’) and stemming from infinite resources, it’s never been easier to sign up.

Government legislation and incentives mean that with a little investment, you could turn your home from a fossil fuel-dependent space into a green energy palace – and save money in the long run.

SOLAR POWER

Did you know the average home in the UK could generate 50 to 60 per cent of the power needed to supply its own electricity? And solar panels don’t just generate light – they can also provide hot water for your home.

The panels are made up of photovoltaic (PV) cells, each one made from layers of semiconducting material. Light shining on the cell creates an electric field.

They can be installed on roofs and conservatories – basically anywhere that can hold some weight and attract light – or integrated into existing roofs with tiles that resemble normal roof tiles.

The cost you pay depends on whether you opt for solar tiles or panels. Tiles have a higher price tag but you can expect to pay between £5,000 and £8,000 per kilowatt (kW) installed, with most homes requiring 1.5 to 3kW.

However, it could save up to 1.2 tonnes of CO2 a year, according to the Energy Saving Trust – and could knock £250 off your electricity bill.

Several companies are now offering free solar PV to customers in return for the income generated through a scheme called Feed In Tariffs (FITs).

WIND TURBINES

Although the UK is home to 40 per cent of Europe’s total wind energy, only 0.5 per cent of that power is currently being tapped into. But before you go slapping a wind turbine on your roof, remember they’re best located on a mast or tower, ideally on a hill.

Wind turbines are good for homes with an annual average wind speed of six metres per second or more.

Distance from nearby buildings, trees or hills that might decrease the wind coming your way is also key and you’ll need to take note of local planning requirements, as permission is usually required prior to installation.

As wind is free, you can start saving money on your fuel bills straight away, but start-up costs are high. Depending on whether you install the system on a mast or a roof, you can expect to pay anywhere from £1,500 to £20,000.

GROUND SOURCE HEAT PUMPS

You can heat your home by burning carbon-neutral biomass or by tapping into the heat below the ground with ground source heat pumps. The pumps transfer heat from underground into your home, heating either the space or the water in your house.

You’ll need a large space in your garden to fit a ground loop (to heat your home with), or space on an external wall to fit an evaporator coil (if heating the water in your house).

A typical six to 8kW system costs up to £12,000 to install, but if you’re replacing electricity to heat your home, you can save about £870 on heating bills and almost six tonnes of carbon dioxide a year.

TRY IT OUT

If you’ve baulked at the start-up costs of making your home greener, you’ll be pleased to hear that government funding of up to £2,500 is available, as well as Feed In Tariffs – just log on to lowcarbonbuildings.org.uk to apply for an online grant.

You could also qualify for renewable obligation certificates or other green energy certificates, which can save you cash. Although start-up costs can be high, don’t be put off.Homes boasting renewable energy can expect to see their property values increase in the long run, as more homes in the future will be expected to be selfsustaining.

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

If you don’t have the space or can’t afford to go sticking solar panels on your roof or wind turbines in your backyard, there are plenty of other ways to save money by saving energy. For energy-saving tips, visit nergysavingtrust.org.uk.