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james73

Eco power plant price a turn-off for citizems (Evening Times)

ALMOST half of Glasgow's householders won't install wind turbines or solar
panels at home because they think they are too expensive.

And in a survey of more than 1000 people, 46% said they would like
"financial incentives" before installing renewable technologies to help
power their homes.

The research by the Energy Saving Trust in Scotland also showed just
47% of people in the city would go for a renewable technology if they
knew it would lead to paying less for gas and electricity, compared to a
Scottish average of 65%.

The Energy Saving Trust's director in Scotland, Mike Thornton, today
urged them to think about the long-term benefits.

He said householders could apply for a grant which covers 30% of the
total cost of installing a renewable technology, up to a maximum of
£4000, thanks to a household grant scheme.

The Scottish Community and Householder Renewable Initiative - funded
by the Scottish Government and managed by the Energy Saving Trust -
has £3.5million to give out in grants this year alone.

Mr Thornton said: "These technologies can save hundreds of pounds on
utility bills each year."

The average costs of installing a renewable technology are £4000 for
solar water heating; £9000 for air source heat pumps; £10,000 for
biomass boilers and £13,000 for ground source heat pumps.

The Government, councils and companies are also embracing wind and
solar schemes.

A five-turbine development, costing £15m, will be built at Cathkin Braes
in south east Glasgow. In the first council-run scheme of its kind, it is
hoped that all of the street lights in the city will be powered by
wind-generated electricity.

For information on renewable energy technologies, call 0844 84 888 30
or e-mail practicalhelp@est.org.uk or for more on the grants visit
www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/homerenewables or call 0800 138 8858.

James H
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Happiness ain't at the end of the road - Happiness *IS* the road...