Renewable energy

Renewable energy is derived from inexhaustible sources such as the sun, wind, water and plant material. Using renewable energy reduces our dependence on energy sources that contribute to climate change and can help make a big difference to the energy efficiency of your housing or buildings.


The DTI's low carbon buildings programme provides grants towards renewable energy technologies.

There are a wide range of renewable energy technologies to consider:

Solar photovoltaic panels (PV) convert sunlight into electricity and could, over a year, provide a household with 30-50% of its electricity needs. Solar PV is suitable for urban and rural environments.

Wind turbines can power a single dwelling, a business or community building, or even a whole community. There are examples of stand-alone turbines for schools, sports centres and business parks but few for housing.

Solar water heating is currently the most cost-effective, affordable renewable technology for housing. It's suitable for urban and rural environments. Used and sized correctly for the household, it can provide 50% of hot water needs over a year.

Ground source heat pumps take heat from under the ground using liquid (water and antifreeze) circulating in horizontal pipes or a vertical borehole. The heat extracted is generally used to warm water for space and under floor heating.

Small-scale hydro
Hydro-power systems convert potential energy stored in water held at height to kinetic energy (or the energy used in movement) to turn a turbine to produce electricity.

Biomass
Biomass is organic matter of recent origin. It doesn't include fossil fuels, which have taken millions of years to evolve. The CO₂ released when energy is generated from biomass is balanced by that absorbed during the fuel's production. We call this a carbon neutral process.

Visit our funding & grants section to explore funding available to help you install renewable technology or other sustainable energy measures.

If you are looking to install Solar PV click here, alternatively if you are in Scotland and aiming to install or explore another renewable energy measure click here.

Explore how renewable energy works.

Click here for Best Practice publications on renewable energy.

Promoting the small-scale generation of sustainable energy