Energy Solutions, a UK energy management event, has announced the results of a survey examining the activities and opinions of consumers around renewable energy and sustainability.
The survey, revealed an overall dissatisfaction towards current government environmental policies. 54% of respondents believed the government should be doing more to save the environment, whilst only 18% considered it to be doing enough. Following this year's general election and budget review, the coalition agreed creating a low carbon economy was one of its key objectives, yet numerous reports suggest these plans are yet to be set in motion.
Interestingly, despite a high proportion of the public being critical of the Government's environmental policies it would appear consumers are still reluctant to invest in more sustainable energy sources. When asked if they had ever considered adopting solar panel or wind turbine technology for their properties, 62% of consumers admitted they had not, primarily due to the initial investment outlay.
Since April 2010 the government has set out to make renewable technology more affordable through a change in the subsidy system for small-scale renewable energy generation. Homeowners under the scheme receive a ‘feed-in tariff' by their electricity supplier for all renewable energy produced. The tariff is set well above standard electricity rates, offering homeowners a significant profit on their investments.
A solar installation can cost between £10,000-£15,000 depending on the size of the roof, and can generate savings of up to £1,000 a year,* but the time span on achieving ROI is a major influencing factor for consumers.* The Energy Solutions survey found the vast majority of consumers, 74%, would only be prepared to wait 0-5 years before they experienced a return on investment.
"Achieving a sustainable environment is the biggest challenge we face and one which can only be achieved through transforming the way we live our lives in all sectors. We need to show political leaders that even in a tight economic climate we as individuals and communities see this as a priority for our own investments and that therefore this is an area of government spending that must not be cut," said Dr Tim Lunel from The National Energy Foundation.
"It is encouraging to see the public is largely behind the government's environmental efforts," says Adrian Newton, Energy Solutions. "However it is clear more needs to be done to encourage consumers to invest in renewable energy sources. The future of microgeneration, the production of zero or low-carbon energy by individuals, small businesses and communities to meet their own needs is one of the key themes that will be discussed at this year's Energy Solutions education seminar."
*Figures from British Gas see http://www.centrica.co.uk/index.asp?pageid=39&newsid=2059
