Energy Microgeneration

Question 1

Renewable micro-generation includes energy from…

Answer 1

Small scale solar, wind, biomass and geothermal sources.

Question 2

Micro-generation systems installed

Answer 2

In 2008 around 100,000 systems were installed in the UK, compared with over 1 million in Germany.

Question 3

Solar thermal systems account for..

Answer 3

90% of the installed capacity in 2008.

Question 4

How solar thermal systems work

Answer 4

Usually roof-mounted they use energy from sunlight to heat water.

Question 5

Take up of micro-generation is low: costs

Answer 5

Initial costs are high, often similar to the cost of buying a car and savings are made over many years.

Question 6

Suitable sites?

Answer 6

Many sites are not suitable for micro wind turbines of solar power systems.

Question 7

Government grants?

Answer 7

Government grants to help with initial costs stopped in 2007 because demand was so high.

Question 8

Technology?

Answer 8

The technology is not widely known about or is assumed to be unsuitable

Question 9

Benefits

Answer 9

Some estimates suggest there are 10 million sites in the UK that could benefit from some form of micro-generation and could cut carbon emissions by 5%, or 30 million tonnes per year.