Climate

Learn from nature and secure your future with a solar power system.

Published

1 month ago

November 7, 2023

Celtic Green Energy advises you how to choose a solar power system

One of the most common reactions we have from the general public when enquiring about solar power system is cautious curiosity. They may have already heard basic soundbites about the benefits of solar, that it is a virtuous investment, it’s good for the environment and will save costs in the long term, but how do they choose what is the right system for their needs? What pitfalls can they avoid and as it’s a considerable investment, are they at risk of making a costly mistake?

Let us reassure you that investing in a solar system supplied by a qualified registered, installer is a very low risk undertaking that is protected and governed by regulation. Choose a Solar provider who is registered with MCS – the industry authority who has very stringent compliance to ensure all installers meet their exacting standards and financial regulation.

Naturally, West Wales based Celtic Green Energy meet these requirements and as one of Wales leading renewable energy specialists, have been providing naturally affordable energy solutions the region for the last decade.

Is my property suitable for Solar?

In the first instance, everyone who uses electricity may be able to have a solar system, however, due to the size constraints of large solar panels, not all properties may be suitable. If you don’t have enough roof space, the roof is in poor condition or your roof is permanently in shadow, a Solar install may not be appropriate. As these are large installations, you need to own the property, however, if you rent your property, you would need to seek the landlord’s permission to have an installation fitted.

What can I use Solar power for?

Anything that has an electric plug can be powered by solar power! When the sun shines during the day, electricity is generated by the solar PV panels – even on a cloudy day! You can use your kitchen appliances such as kettles, microwaves, washing machines, dishwashers and refrigerators whilst you relax watching daytime TV. If the solar power is insufficient to power these appliances, your alternative power source from the national grid will kick in at the usual tariff charge. Needless to say, the more solar panels you have, the more electricity you generate, the less you are dependent on the national grid and the more you save.

Where do I start?

A good starting point to find a suitable installer is to check out the MCS website for a list of regional registered approved businesses (available here.) or by asking your neighbour who they used and were they happy with the service. A quick phone call will offer you a rough price guide, but a site survey will be needed to ascertain the best system for your needs. At Celtic Green Energy, we have a free Energy Helpline where customers can phone in to discuss their needs in detail. As every property owner has differing criteria from building type, location, environment, living conditions, energy behaviours to monthly consumption – a bespoke Solar system will need to be designed to satisfy these particular constraints. An initial phone call will arrange a no-obligation free site survey when we will be able to advise you on your ideal system.

What do I need?

The Renewable Energy surveyor will discuss your usage needs and address your concerns with the most appropriate system for your requirements. Your current energy consumption is always a good starting point, so a solar system will be proposed to match this precedent. There are a variety of solar panel options available – mostly roof mounted, but if roof space is a problem and there is spare land, a ground mount system could be considered. You can also choose to have stylish in-roof panels, all black or bezel edge finishes.

If you use a lot of your energy after daytime, a solar battery system should be considered where you can use solar energy at night. There are a great selection of solar batteries available on the market varying in performance, capacity, longevity and price. When choosing a suitable battery, go for the best performance at the best price, but make sure it has a good warranty – some are only 2-3 years, others are up to 10 years.

Remember that Solar Power system is a great source of free electricity for other applications such as powering Air Source Heat Pumps, underfloor heating, electric immersion water heaters and charging electric vehicles. What are normally energy hungry products can be powered for free. Ask the energy advisor about the best product solutions for your requirements.

What about costs?

Installing a renewable energy system may be a significant upfront cost, but should be considered a long term investment that will secure your future energy needs without the fear of continually rising energy costs. Remember that during the energy crisis of 2022, a number of successful family businesses such as bakers and butchers went out of business simply because they were faced with astronomical electricity bills after coming out of fixed price energy contracts.

Unlike the purchase of a car, a solar system will add worth to your property and help values appreciate over time. Most systems are staged payments and only paid for in full after completion. Depending on your location, industry sector or if you are a private resident, grant funding is often available to help with the installation of renewable energy systems. Your energy provider will be able to advise you what’s available at the prevailing time.

Sum up…

With the rising uncertainty of energy prices, the Solar Power industry is seeing a mass of interest in their products, but met with profound confusion from the general public. There is widespread competition amongst energy installers offering attractive low cost options and undercutting tactics, but make sure your installer is registered and complicit with industry standards. Thankfully Celtic Green Energy are well established with a formidable reputation for quality and service. they have a particularly good reputation of understanding their products and helping advise customers on the most appropriate choice for their needs, aspirations and budget to provide them with long term fuel security.

If you would like to know more about having solar power system installed, you can call their energy help line 01269 500388 or learn more and visit their website here.

Here’s to brighter tomorrows and sunnier savings!

Climate

Blue Gem Wind shares wind speed data with Wales’ Marine Energy Test Area

Published

7 days ago

December 1, 2023

Tom Sinclair

BLUE GEM WIND, a joint venture between TotalEnergies and Simply Blue Group, have shared important wind speed data with Wales’ Marine Energy Test Area (META).

The data was collected as part of the development of the Erebus floating wind project, which is planned to be built approximately 45km off the coast of Pembrokeshire.

Mike Scott, Project Managing Director at Blue Gem Wind, said: “We installed a met mast on the Angle Peninsula in early 2021 to understand wind speed and other weather-related data for the development of our Erebus floating wind project. Working with Marine Energy Wales we are happy to provide data we have collected to support the ongoing development plans at META .”

META operates eight sites in and around the Milford Haven waterway. It offers testing in real sea conditions for wave, tidal and floating offshore wind technology, alongside world-class port, engineering, and manufacturing facilities.

As the only pre-consented, pre-commercial test facility of its kind in the country, META is dedicated to reducing the time, cost and risks associated with the deployment and commercialisation of marine energy technologies, saving companies valuable time and money.

Saul Young, META Operations Manager said: “We are pleased to be collaborating with Blue Gem Wind and to be sharing data in this way. Not only will it help improve our understanding of conditions at the East Pickard Bay site, but it will also help support the development of the sector by providing technology developers and researchers accurate data with which to plan their innovative projects at META. META has a growing catalogue of data for our various sites, and we are committed to expanding our collection.”

Climate

Innovative Pembrokeshire net zero project in gains momentum

Published

1 week ago

November 30, 2023

Tom Sinclair

IN A GROUNDBREAKING move towards achieving net zero emissions, RWE and Dragon LNG have embarked on a pioneering venture that could reshape the industrial landscape of South Wales. The collaboration aims to develop the Multi-Utility Service Transit (MUST) infrastructure project along the Milford Haven Waterway, a significant stride in the region’s journey towards sustainability.

The MUST project is currently under a feasibility study to determine its potential impact. This visionary project promises numerous environmental benefits, including the complete elimination of CO2 emissions from Dragon LNG’s regasification process. This is achievable through the innovative use of residual process heat from RWE’s Pembroke Power Station generators.

Another significant aspect of the project is establishing a route to export CO2 from a potential carbon capture plant at Pembroke Power Station. Additionally, the project paves the way for developing CO2 liquefaction, storage, and shipping capabilities at Dragon LNG. This will further strengthen the UK’s position in global environmental efforts.

Moreover, the project aims to establish an additional export route for blue and green hydrogen from the south to the north side of the Milford Haven waterway. This would potentially include hydrogen from RWE’s Pembroke Green Hydrogen projects, marking a significant advancement in renewable energy technology.

Beyond environmental benefits, the MUST project offers a unique opportunity for other industries to access crucial infrastructure for broader industrial decarbonisation. This includes supply water, direct wire connections from potential offshore renewables, and other utilities or products.

The South Wales Industrial Cluster (SWIC) Deployment Project, a flagship collaborative effort, encapsulates the MUST project as a critical component in achieving net zero infrastructure. It has received significant backing from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) through its Industrial Decarbonisation Challenge program, assisting in the engineering and design phases.

Dr Bryony Livesey, Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund (ISCF) Director for Industrial Decarbonisation, highlighted the project’s importance in achieving the UK’s net zero emissions goal by 2050. She expressed enthusiasm for supporting the MUST project to meet its objectives.

Sarah Jennings, Executive Director at Natural Resources Wales, emphasized their commitment to supporting the project through its feasibility stage. She stressed the importance of balancing decarbonisation ambitions with the conservation of sensitive natural sites like the Pembrokeshire Marine SAC and Milford Haven Waterway SSSI.

Simon Ames, MD of Dragon LNG and Dragon Energy, expressed excitement about Dragon’s future role in community and environmental sustainability. He acknowledged the importance of government and regulatory support to ensure sustainable development while protecting the environment.

Richard Little, RWE Director of PNZC, expressed delight over the funding received for the MUST project. He underlined the project’s role as a key enabler of RWE’s Pembroke Net Zero Centre (PNZC), a comprehensive multi-technology decarbonisation initiative in South Wales.

The MUST project stands as a beacon of innovation and sustainability, promising a greener, cleaner future for Pembrokeshire and beyond. With significant support from industry leaders and government bodies, it marks a pivotal moment in the region’s environmental journey.

Climate

How Welsh residents can use clean energy in their homes

Published

1 week ago

November 28, 2023

Tom Sinclair

In the next decade, Wales aims to reach 100% of its internal electricity demands through renewable sources. The climate change minister remains at the forefront of ensuring sustainable energy sources in the country.
One way Welsh residents can join in the effort to use clean energy is by adopting renewable energy sources in their homes. These renewable energy sources provide clean and efficient energy without negatively impacting the environment.
Furthermore, these eco-friendly energy sources save money spent on electricity. It aids Welsh residents living in sustainable homes while saving the environment. Let’s dive deep into finding how to transform your houses into energy-efficient and sustainable homes.
What Is It?
Clean energy is pure energy extracted from nature without any pollutants produced with its usage. This energy is highly beneficial for the environment as it doesn’t leave behind any pollutants. It harnesses nature’s power with sources including:
⦁ Sun energy
⦁ Wind
⦁ Water
⦁ Air
Unlike traditional, clean energy sources don’t release harmful pollutants into the air. Green energy, sourced from natural elements, has a key distinction.
Renewable energy from these clean sources comes from continually replenished resources. Thus, it ensures they never run out, unlike non-renewable sources like fossil fuels.
The essence of clean energy is generating power without any potential harm to the environment for citizens.
Choosing clean energy is good for the environment. It helps protect Wale’s natural resources and lowers the chances of environmental disasters.
Because Wale’s government invests heavily in clean energy sources, they can create stable power supplies, strengthening the country’s energy security.
How to Use Clean Energy Sources in Homes

Welsh residents are quickly adopting clean energy sources in their daily routines. Here is a look at some different clean energy sources for Welsh citizens to incorporate:

Rooftop Solar Panels
The most common source of renewable energy is solar. It includes mounting solar panels on your rooftop to utilize the sun’s energy that gets converted into power. The more solar panels mounted on your rooftop, the more power it generates.
Additionally, homeowners can invest in lithium batteries as storage backups during nighttime or cloudy days. It ensures a continuous energy supply in your home, enough to power basic home appliances.
Homeowners can contribute the surplus electricity to the grid and earn compensation. It ensures a steady supply of energy in your house. This is the best option for users looking to homestead upcountry.
Tubular Skylights
Sometimes, you need to light up your house during the day. Clustered homes without a sufficient supply of natural light depend on lightning. It leads to increased energy bills and carbon footprint.
A natural way to light up your homes during sunny days is through these innovative tubular skylights. These skylights don’t create electricity but redirect free natural light into your home.
It’s a highly dependable system similar to a reliable paper writing service online since you know what you’re signing up for. It contains a dome of metal tubes running between the dome on the roof, with the diffuser mounted on the ceiling.
The inner tubing has a reflective coating reflecting natural sunlight into your home. These systems are easy to install. Also, they are highly rigid to fit into small spaces. Unfortunately, they tools can’t work during nighttime.
Wind Turbine
Wind turbines are an underrated source of clean energy for homeowners. Especially for ones looking for sustainable living options, harnessing wind power that converts kinetic energy into electricity. Thus, this reduces homeowner’s dependence on fossil fuels.
The market is full of small wind turbines suited for residential applications. Hence, homeowners can choose their preferred wind turbine size depending on their energy needs.
Moreover, most wind turbines occupy a maximum of 10 or 20 square feet of ground space, thus making them viable options for small residential homes. Unlike solar power, these turbines can generate electricity day and night on sunny and cloudy days.
Solar Water Heating
People in Wales are very interested in solar water heating systems because they are easy to use. These systems change the sun’s free energy into hot water. The good thing is that when experts set them up, they don’t need much looking after them.
Solar water heating systems comprise panels and tubes that gather solar energy, converting sunlight into heat.
Installing these systems ensures a steady supply of hot water throughout the year. To cope with winter, adding a boiler or immersion heater is necessary. Moreover, homeowners benefit from lower energy bills since solar energy is free.
Additionally, using solar water heating systems helps reduce one’s carbon footprint by lowering carbon dioxide emissions, contributing to a healthier planet.
Future of Wales’s Energy Consumption
In Wales, the future looks promising for sustainable living. The government is determined to satisfy all electricity needs with renewable sources. People generally agree that completely relying on renewable sources is better than relying on fossil fuels.
As Wales’ population keeps expanding, we see higher energy demand. The solution is turning to renewable sources and clean energy to meet this growing need sustainably.
The change to clean energy is precedented by local authorities crafting policies necessitating the usage of renewable energy. With more areas driving towards becoming energy-sufficient, governments and corporations are leading the way in fighting for renewable power.
Our dependence on fossil fuels for years has significantly impacted the climate. We are experiencing the effects of these practices, with global warming becoming a major talking point on the global stage.
Clean energy guarantees an avenue to alternate fossil fuels. The market has yet to fully explore the possibility of relying on renewable sources for daily demands. However, the conversation is happening at a rapid rate.
Final Takeaway
Wales began utilizing renewable energy to meet its internal electricity demands by 2035. Hence, locals should start opening up to sustainable homes relying on clean energy. These options are sustainable ways homeowners can incorporate their energy sufficiency without any adverse climate impacts.