With news of the rather heated (no pun intended) arguments at COP29, last month – it’s easy to think that the participants’ efforts to address climate change is not going well…
COP is the United Nation’s climate summit, which this year was held in Baku in Azerbaijan – and was punctuated by fractious arguments and threatened walkouts. Developing countries criticised what they saw as the meagre $300bn (about £240bn) a year in climate finance they will receive by 2025 from richer nations (including the UK) to drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions and protect lives and livelihoods from the worsening impacts of climate change.
‘I had hoped for a more ambitious outcome – on both finance and mitigation – to meet the great challenge we face,’ UN Secretary-General António Guterres said in his statement on COP29. ‘But this agreement provides a base on which to build.’
At least an agreement was reached in the end, and the measures and policies set by governments across the world will clearly have a major role to play in developing renewable energy solutions and protecting our planet in coming years. Click here to find out more > UN Secretary-General Statement on COP29 | United Nations Secretary-General
Our role as individuals
Renewables are also one area where actions we take as individuals can make a difference: according to some sources, around 5% of households (c. 1.4 million homes) have solar panels (the highest concentration being that well-known sun trap, the Isle of Anglesey)!
And not only is this good for sustainability and the planet – generally home installed panels contribute electricity to the National Grid – it also provides free power to the households concerned.
So how many more homes could be part of this movement which is basically win:win for both the homeowner and the earth?
The answer is, a lot: even in a country like the UK where we have a mix of weather. Some sources say as many as 65% of homes could be suitable in terms of their roof structure or compass orientation with the sun.
How SCA Solar can help
As solar panel specialist and owner of ‘SCA Solar’ Shaun Giltrap explains: ‘The potential is huge: for me, offering people solar panel installations isn’t just about my company, it is a passion.
‘We have a dedicated team of solar panel experts, cutting-edge technology and a commitment to environmental stewardship.
‘Our calculations show that on a typical south-facing three bedroomed property, the costs of installing our solar PV systems can be recouped within around seven years – and that’s at today’s electricity prices.
‘It usually involves a combination of the solar panels which generate electricity (which you can use, free of charge) and batteries which mean you can store the excess if you generate more than you can actually use at the time – and call on it when you need it.’
In addition to batteries, there is also the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) scheme, where customers can earn compensation for surplus electricity fed back into the British power supply with green energy. As an MCS accredited installer, SCA Solar can provide customers with systems to access these payments known as ‘government feed-in tariff benefits’.
Says Shaun: ‘We will only recommend one of our systems if we can demonstrate it will be viable: give us the details about your electricity bills and the appliances you use – and a bit of background about your property – and we’ll be able to tell you if it would feasibly give you a good return.
See Get a Quote from SCA Solar – Powering Your Future to request one of our information request forms or to find out more about us and the green energy we can help you provide for your own home or business, call 01270 699996.
