'Renewing' your business?

[Renewable M]

Especially for the lads (and ladettes) who work for themselves, what do you see as the main barriers to getting into renewables instead of (or more realistically) along side gas/oil?

I'm interested in what would make it easier, what hurdles you have encountered, training and accreditation, understanding etc etc etc.

What is your understanding of renewable technology?

Thanks in advance for any responses.

 

[newbie1]

now im a complete novice about renewables but
ground source pumps my guess most houses are surrounded by a min of 15feet of patio/concrete etc so straight away its labour intensive digging it all out running the pipework etc and then filling it all back in
especially as you will prob have to sub out the donkey work
just my initial thoughts
solar
hate working up high so not keen at all

 

[Renewable M]

you got it! ground source can mean mind bending amounts of money spent. If god meant us to fit solar he would have given us wings.

 

[moony]

sooooo, air source is the way to go....

a good decent course would be an incentive to me - thinking of going on the one worcestor do.

 

[Transcoman]

Agreed, ASHP is for me the best option and easier installation too. As Renewable says, the cost is extreme for GSHP, solar panels are also expensive but like GSHP require small plant as well (any installer in his right mind would not attempt to carry solar panels up a ladder and would use scaffolding).

 

[smiley plumber]

what about these home power stations have any of you seen them on site yet ?
makes electricity and produces heat as a by product !
bet they cost a fortune too

 

[payney1974]

what about these home power stations have any of you seen them on site yet ?
makes electricity and produces heat as a by product !
bet they cost a fortune too

Not as expensive as you think. I work on them all the time and if they work right they are very good. As soon as theres a big demand for them the prices will drop even further.

Agreed, ASHP is for me the best option and easier installation too. As Renewable says, the cost is extreme for GSHP, solar panels are also expensive but like GSHP require small plant as well (any installer in his right mind would not attempt to carry solar panels up a ladder and would use scaffolding).

You say the price is extreme for gshp? Don't the goverment give you upto 80% of the costs through a grant?

 

[gakmonkey]

What would definatly make things easier would be if people with only a hearsay knowledge of renewables would stop spouting information as if it were fact without ever seeing these in operation!
"My friend says ashp are crap and solar doesn't really work in britain" Etc.....

 

[Transcoman]

You say the price is extreme for gshp? Don't the goverment give you upto 80% of the costs through a grant?

It is possible to get up to 80% but as yet i've not come across anyone who has received anything liike this.

What would definatly make things easier would be if people with only a hearsay knowledge of renewables would stop spouting information as if it were fact without ever seeing these in operation!
"My friend says ashp are crap and solar doesn't really work in britain" Etc.....

And who might that be?

 

[payney1974]

What would definatly make things easier would be if people with only a hearsay knowledge of renewables would stop spouting information as if it were fact without ever seeing these in operation!
"My friend says ashp are crap and solar doesn't really work in britain" Etc.....

Of course solar works! Its whether its value for money thats the issue. Ive seen personal power stations in operation and ground source and they both work brilliantly!!

Transcoman, its a bit of a con that only the big boys can take advantage of. You have to join the scheme(ive just forgot whats its called!! (You tell me and i'll tell you)). Anyway its bloody expensive!

Microgeneration is it?