Around Ealing Spring 2015 | Page 15

Reverend Steve Paynter with the alms house panels SOLAR PANELS watch Click to h view wit an inter r the vica SUN TRAPS SAVE MONEY Why rely on an energy company to supply your electricity when you can get the sun to help you instead? We may not seem to get a lot of sunshine in this country, but we get more than you might think. G enerating your own electricity by harnessing the sun’s energy is a cost effective option for many homeowners. It involves fitting solar panels on your home to collect the sun’s energy – and you can get money back for every bit of power you generate. The government supports solar power and other renewable energy sources by offering a ‘clean energy’ cashback scheme called the Feed in Tariff. The tariff is simply a payment made to you for all the electricity you produce for your home, and also for any that you can pump back in to the electricity grid when you do not need to use it. DOING IT LOCALLY Ealing Council is leading the way for renewable energy locally and is continuing to expand its solar panel programme on council homes to help residents cut their energy bills. The revenue generated will improve the energy efficiency of council housing and helps residents who face fuel poverty in the borough. As much as 10% can be saved on energy bills, which could save residents up to £170 a year. The council is also surveying its offices for the installation of renewable energy, with the first projects due to be completed by this summer. ‘AN EASY PROCESS’ Solar panels have been installed by St Mary’s Church Homes Trust on their alms houses to help generate enough electricity for one of the flats. Vicar of St Mary’s, Reverend Steve Paynter, said: “Installing the panels was an easy process and did not cause any disruption. There is an initial cost to buying the panels and having them installed, but the panels will pay for themselves in the next 10 years and should last for another 20 after that which will help generate funds for the charity for many years to come. It is really important to the church that we encourage more people to think about the environment and find ways to use sustainable energy.” AN EFFICIENT HOME Before you consider producing your own energy, it is best to make sure your home is running as efficiently as possible through insulation, doubleglazing, draught proofing and energyefficient appliances. Did you know our borough is part of Green Homes Together? It is a partnership that provides advice on energy efficiency in homes, and can arrange a visit from an advisor. Call 0300 111 3330 or discover the latest offers available, at www.greenhomestogether.org.uk around ealing Spring 2015 15