Yearly Archives: 2021

As we edge towards the end of 2021, the colder weather has moved into full swing. Frost on our car windscreens, darker mornings, lower temperatures and incessant rain all play their part in making sure we know that winter is well and truly here and it becomes difficult to save energy in winter. . At the same time, world leaders have recently met at the COP 26 climate change summit in Glasgow to discuss how to cut down on fossil fuel use and other environmentally damaging activities.

So, with all that in mind, plus the spectre of rising energy bills on the horizon, now is a great time to think about how we can make changes to how we generate, use and save energy in winter.

How to Winterproof Your Home While Protecting The Planet

As with any project of this kind, identifying ways to save energy in winter should start with small adjustments at first. Then work up to larger changes and commitments as you get used to a new way of sourcing and saving energy. Small. changes could include only boiling enough water for what you need at the time, switching computers and TVs etc. off at the mains, just putting them on standby mode and turning the thermostats down a couple of degrees – put on another jumper if you feel cold.

Other Ideas to Save Energy in Winter Include:

1· Switching to Solar Power

Investing in solar power technology for households can really help reduce energy bills, as well as free up your reliance on fossil fuels. Photovoltaic solar panels are easy to install and can start generating electricity right away – even on duller winter days. Any electricity that is not used right away can be stored for use later on, e.g. at night. Solar power is sustainable, effective and a great way to pursue a more sustainable way of living.

2· Switching to LED Lighting

After the clocks went back in October, the afternoon light started fading sooner. Inevitably, this leads to people switching lights on earlier in the day and keeping them on for longer hours a day. Changing old-style, incandescent light bulbs for energy-efficient lighting like LEDs can help to save energy in winter and create a sustainable living, as you not only use less energy to power them but the LED lights themselves last longer too. Turning lights off whenever you are not using them will help significantly to save energy in winter.

3· Caring For Your Central Heating

If you have a boiler and radiators in the home to provide heat, make sure that they are properly maintained so that they can perform at their optimum efficiency.

This means that less power is needed to produce the amount of heat that is needed. Bleed radiators and get boilers checked regularly. Line the walls behind radiators with tin foil so that more heat can reflect out into the room. Use a timer so that your central heating can turn off when you are not in the house to save energy in winter.

4· Insulating Your Home

Keeping out the draughts can be done via a few methods. Start small by lining curtains and blinds and using draught excluders to provide a thicker layer of insulation against any cold air that might come in through cracks and gaps in your windows and doors. Fit carpets and rugs to wooden floors to add cosiness underfoot/ Do a thorough check of your home to see if there are any places where cold air could be getting in. Don’t forget to lag your pipes to avoid a catastrophic water burst, which can cause damage and increase energy costs. Is your attic properly insulated? Now is the time to check.

5· Wising Up With The Washing

Although colder temperatures have us reach for the tumble dryer or electric clothes. airer, a little pre-planning can help us keep costs and energy use associated with keeping clean much lower. Allow dishes and clothes to air dry – it might take a little longer, but it can really help to save energy in winter.

Besides, if you have got the central heating on, this can help speed up the drying process on its own. Wait until your dishwasher or clothes washing machine is full before setting it to work. Full loads are more energy-efficient than half-empty machines. Use electricity generated by solar power for these jobs to make your housework even more sustainable this winter.

At the end of October, COP26, the 26th UN summit on climate change, takes place in Glasgow. Here, country leaders and other experts will discuss how to adhere to environmental and sustainable living commitments signed up to under the Paris Agreement. High on the agenda will be discussions on renewable energy sources and clean energy. Solar, wind and biomass power are all big news right now. In particular, advantages of solar energy are plentiful, especially when compared to conventional sources, such as coal or gas.This it is providing a viable alternative solution to using finite fossil fuels to power our homes and businesses.

Advantages of Solar Energy

Solar technology is one of the more established, fastest growing and proven renewable energy sources. Multiple homes and businesses have wide range of photovoltaic panels installed and are powering lighting, heating and commercial operations using the technology. As the process develops, the energy gathering will become even more effective. It will allow us to take greater and greater advantages of solar energy as a powerful energy course. Here are five major advantages of solar energy to consider, compared to conventional power sources.

1. Sustainability

Solar power is renewable and diverse, able to be used for heating and to generate electricity. Therefore it offers excellent sustainability credentials. More advantages of solar energy around sustainability include the fact that it operates all year round, maximising the energy produced and helping to reduce reliance on fossil fuels, even during winter months. Developing solar power technology now will benefit future generations, rather than compromise their quality of life by using up valuable, finite resources. It also produces far fewer greenhouse gases, making for a much smaller carbon footprint.

2. Cost

Once you have installed the photovoltaic panels, solar batteries for storage and equipment needed to set up a solar panel system, the associated energy bills become significantly lower than continuing to use fossil fuels to power a business or home. Energy prices are rising as we head into winter and this looks set to continue in 2022. Solar power lowers electricity bills due to reduced reliance on the National Grid. The ability to store excess electricity generated during the day for use at night or in adverse weather conditions also helps keep costs down.

3. Pollution Levels

One of the main advantages of solar energy is the lack of pollution it generates and does not impact on the environment. Like wind and tidal power, the source is clean and doesn’t produce the harmful emissions that coal, oil or gas can. Global targets to reduce greenhouse gases are firmly in place, leading to a surge of interest in solar power and other technologies that do not put air quality at risk. Conversely, the polluting effects of conventional energy are well documented. Exhaust fumes from diesel-fuelled cars and vans, emissions from coal- or gas-powered factories and the effects of heavy jumbo jets flying long distances all form large parts of the current pollution problem.

4. Availability

A key point about fossil fuels is that they are, by their very nature, finite. One day we will have burned our last coal deposit and extracted the final drop of oil. Other key advantages of solar energy are , it show no sign of ‘running out; anytime soon and available in wider areas. What’s more, fossil fuels need to be located, extracted and processed, sometimes in more than one place. The need to transport them to where they are needed adds to the planet’s carbon footprint and complicates the supply chain.

Sunlight falls across a much wider percentage of the Earth, the wind blows freely and around 71% of the world is made up of water. So long as the technology can be built and installed to access these free resources, renewable energy can be generated over a far wider area.

5. Future-Proof Technology

You only have to take a look at the climate change priorities due to be discussed at COP26 to see that conventional energy could well have had its day. Serious investment is being made into finding more viable, less harmful ways to power our homes, businesses, factories and vehicles. The recent awarding of the inaugural Earthshot Prize by Prince William at London’s Alexandra Palace reveals the huge amount of money available for investing in technology to create more sustainable energy solutions. All these advantages of solar energy reflects how important solar power is going to be in the near future.

Climate change and renewable energy are high on the global news agenda right now. More and more is being discussed about safeguarding the future of our energy provision while protecting our planet. Children are the next generation who will need to continue looking for solutions around meeting energy demand without decimating finite resources. So, it makes perfect sense to education them and provide plenty of interesting solar power facts for kids.

Supporting The National Curriculum

Solar power, renewable sources and how we extract energy from the sun are all key topics in schools right now. Each key stage of the national curriculum covers the subject, increasing in detail as pupils move through their education. Early years learn about the weather, the sun and why it is important to people on Earth. From there, facts about solar power for kids encompass sustainability issues, renewable energy technology and the physics behind converting solar power into electricity.

Elsewhere, children learn about designing houses for solar power and ethical considerations around fossil fuels and climate change. They can learn about the the commercial solar panel installation at home and in business and the advantages we get from that. There are many online resources to help support pupils learning about solar power, including BBC Bitesize.

So, Why is Connecting Children And Solar Power Important?

Aside from the fact that the subject of renewable energy is in the national curriculum, there are other reasons why we need children to be well informed. Solar power is increasing in popularity. There is far more information out there about other renewable energy sources such as wind power, water power and biomass. Keeping the topic in the public spotlight is the ideal way to encourage widespread take-up of renewable energy sources. So, what are some of the other reasons to teach the younger generation about solar power?

Climate Change Champions

The work carried out by young Swedish environmental campaigner, Greta Thunberg has moved climate change awareness up the global news agenda. There can’t be many people in the Western world and beyond who haven’t at least heard her name. Greta’s youthful enthusiasm and informed campaigning has inspired many of her peers to take action. If we can increase the number and impact of children and solar power campaigning, we can take the renewable energy message even further.

Engineering Inspiration

Solar power facts for kids can offer inspiration in other directions too. Solar power is being used in many areas alongside domestic electricity. More and more businesses are converting to using solar panels to power offices, factories, retail outlets and warehouses. The automotive sector is making strides in replacing fossil fuels with electricity and renewable energy sources to power vehicles.

Engineers of the future will be looking deeper into how else to use solar power for vital services and equipment.The more we can teach children about its potential, the better informed our future engineers will be.

Energy Saving Experts

They say that children learn by copying, but this can work both ways. Armed with solar power facts for kids, children can share what they learn with the rest of their household. Children can be a powerful motivator to help adults live more sustainably and look more deeply into renewable energy. So, the messages that they learn about the advantages of solar power can be shared very effectively at home.

Fresh New Ideas

Young people can have a way of looking at things differently. Putting children and solar power together could result in ideas to taken the technology further than anyone could imagine right now. More resources are being poured into encouraging young people to pursue careers in STEM subjects. Renewable energy and solar power development is just one area that would benefit from fresh ideas and approaches.

How to Attract Young People in Solar Power?

Many young people are interested in the future of our planet and ways to protect it. Solar power has become an established alternative energy generation source with a proven successful track record. By providing solar power facts for kids that highlight the benefits, we can give them the tools they need to spread the word.

Other ways to interest young people in the subject include interactive solar power workshops and activities. They will also appreciate resources to help them with science projects at college or school. Above all, demonstrating how solar power works and the solar power facts for kids and can help us live sustainably will help to capture young imaginations.

One of the main reasons why renewable energy is rising in its popularity is the fact that it is readily available for all. Unlike finite fossil fuels, resources like sun, wind and sea provide energy without us having to ‘use them up’. This idea of ‘energy for all’ can be taken further with the concept of communal projects involving multiple households or businesses. Community solar power, for example, is one way for a single solar power supply to benefit many. 

What is community solar power?

Community solar power helps wider communities benefit from a group approach to installing renewable energy resources. For instance, grouping together to fit solar panels on a large surface or take over a nearby solar ‘farm’. The clean electricity that is generated is then directed to people involved in the project for their use. A key element is that the solar power and electricity is owned by the community itself. Profits and surplus electricity supplies are not subsumed by outside companies or investors. It keeps things local, transparent and accountable.There are many benefits from commercial solar installation in the community  which are mentioned below.

Some forms of community renewable energy schemes include:

· Solar power systems (photovoltaic panels)

· Wind turbines

· Hydroelectric generation systems

· Electric vehicle charging facilities

· Renewable heat from heat pumps or biomass boilers

· Collective switching of energy suppliers to ‘greener’ companies

Investment opportunities

As well as having access to a reliable, community-led electricity source, those who choose to invest can also enjoy financial benefits. They normally see reductions in their electricity bills because they don’t have to rely so much on the National Grid. In addition, community investors can enjoy returns on their contributions in community solar power. This money is kept (and spent) in the local community, adding to the advantages for those involved. Any excess profits after paying community investors can be given to charities or local initiatives too.

Environmental efforts

The building which hosts the solar panels or power system will benefit from the electricity supplied, but so will many other houses and companies who join the scheme. This reduces their carbon footprint and increases the percentage of households and businesses using ‘green’ energy and clean energy.

Only having one system fitted also helps to cut emissions used and pollution generated during the installation process.Having a community solar power project nearby can also encourage other people to use it when they would normally have stuck to using fossil fuels. This switch from fossil fuels to renewable sources is one of the key solar power benefits in general.

Affordable energy

The cost reductions in running community solar power can have a trickle-down effect to those who might otherwise struggle with energy bills alone .Energy generation can be done with affordable community funds . The fact that electricity generated can be stored and used later (e.g. at night) could also make a difference, financially to those experiencing fuel poverty. It can keep the heaters on during winter and the lights on for community facilities at a lower price.

Help with setting things up

Anyone with an interest in setting up a community solar power initiative should contact their local authority first to see what they are allowed to do. There may also be grants, charity support or free advice available. Talk to local businesses too because they may have resources or contacts that could help. The Government also runs a Feed-in Tariffs (FITs) scheme to support individuals and organisations keen to set up a community solar project. FITs provide a sum of money for the electricity that is generated. This helps pay for the up-front costs of installation, which the group itself must fund.

Other ways to reduce energy use

As well as installing community solar power, there are many ways to help reduce non-renewable energy usage in the community. For instance, tips and advice on how to save energy in the office or home can be circulated. People needing help with insulating their home can be directed to avenues of support. Local amenities such as community halls can be adapted to use energy more efficiently. It’s also good to start young by educating children in local schools on how to use energy wisely and ways to help the community ‘go green’.

For more information about installing solar panels in the community , speak to an expert at UPS Solar.

Green energy and living sustainably is big news right now. Many people are realising just how much our reliance on fossil fuels is harming the environment. The good news is that there are several renewable energy sources out there, including solar power, wind turbines, hydroelectricity and air source heat pumps. So, it is easier than ever to switch to a greener lifestyle and run a clean energy home.

Why go green with a Clean energy home?

There are all kinds of benefits to running a clean energy home. For instance, it helps to reduce the use of fossil fuels. Fossil fuels are infinite and will one day run out. Burning them in excess also causes air pollution. Renewable energy has less of an impact on climate change and comes from inexhaustible sources. For homeowners, running a clean energy home can cost less than using gas, oil or electricity for the National Grid. It also makes good use of otherwise wasted space. For instance, installing solar panels on the roof.

Running a cleaner home and following a greener lifestyle can be very easy. It just requires some research to start you off into the best methods to use. Then, you may need to make a few changes to your home, for instance installing solar panels. After that, it’s a question of sticking to your new routines to save energy and live more sustainably. Here are some ways you can create a clean energy home and create a greener way of living.

1. Solar power

In the UK, solar power accounts for nearly 3.3% of total renewable energy used. Solar power systems work by harnessing energy from the sun’s rays and turning it into electricity. You can install photovoltaic panels on the roof of your house. Or, you can put them on a flat, outdoor surface that gets a lot of sunlight. For instance you could use a wall or a free-standing frame. Solar power systems work by converting the sun’s energy that hits the photovoltaic cells in the solar panels to electricity. So, they need a lot of exposure to the sun to work effectively.

This electricity is then used to power the home or stored for future use. Electricity created during the day can be used later on, at night or during dull weather when the sun cannot provide enough energy. After the solar panels have been installed, you will start saving money on your fuel bills. This is because you won’t have to rely so much on power from the National Grid for your clean energy home. You can use your own solar panel-generated electricity instead.

2. Wind and air power

Some homes can be powered by alternative forms of renewable energy, as well as solar power. These include wind turbines and air source heat pumps. There is also the option of hydroelectricity if you live in a suitable area that’s near a river or lake. Ask your local renewable energy advisor about different forms of clean energy home. You might be able to combine more than one renewable energy source to create an even more sustainable power system for your home. It can give you substantial savings over fossil fuel-powered systems such as oil or gas.

3. Be smarter with your energy use

Pay careful attention to the energy you do use in the house and look for ways to cut back. For instance:

• Replace all light bulbs with lower-energy LED and fluorescent versions
• Turn lights off when you are not using the room
• Run the air conditioner a few degrees higher for lower energy usage and consider just using it in one room, rather than the whole house
• Switch to fans for a lower-cost, greener way to keep cool in summer
• Likewise, turn the temperature of your hot water down a little. As a result, you will save energy without really noticing a difference
• Switch off devices such as computers and TVs when you are not using them.

4. Get a green home inspection

Ask your renewable energy advisors to arrange a home energy inspection to see where you are using too much energy unnecessarily. For instance, they will check your insulation to make sure it is working properly and not letting heat escape. Look at all the doors and windows to ensure there aren’t any gaps where cold air can come in. Have an appliance safety check and turn off anything that you are not using regularly. Find out how you can switch to using renewable energy around the house to make your carbon footprint smaller.

5. Spread the word

Once you are running a clean energy home, you will not want to go back to your former ways. You may also want to spread the word about your new sustainable lifestyle. Tell your friends, family and neighbours about things like solar power, wind power and ways to save energy. This is the best way to bring your whole community to the clean energy way of life. Once you know more people living in clean energy homes, you can swap tips and even share the costs of items such as solar panels on two semi-detached houses, for example.