Generate your own energy

Renewable energy technologies are becoming increasingly popular. They are effective alternatives to fossil fuels and will help you to meet your own energy requirements and reduce your home's carbon footprint.

There are different renewable energy technologies available:

Generating your own energy (microgeneration)

You can choose to install one renewable energy technology or a system consisting of multiple technologies in your home. Please note that not all technologies are suited to every home and the energy produced and installation costs for each will vary. Find out what is suitable for your home from the different renewable energy technologies listed above, as well as a list of accredited products and installers.

In England, changes to permitted development rights for renewable technologies introduced on 6th April 2008 have lifted the requirements for planning permission for most microgeneration technologies.

For more information visit the Energy Saving Trust or call 0300 123 1234.

Green electricity

Many electricity companies sell electricity generated from renewable sources. There are a wide variety of different tariffs on the market, and it is important to make sure that your supplier is committed to investing in generating new renewable energy capacity beyond what it already has to produce by law.

Further information on green electricity and green tariffs is available at:

Alternatively you can call:

  • Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 08454 04 05 06.
  • Or for textphone dial 18001 followed by Citizens Advice consumer helpline number 08454 04 05 06

They will also be able to advise you on what questions to ask when choosing a supplier.