The Priston Web

Activities

Oct 2012

Thur 29 Nov 2012 6.30pm Talk on Renewable Energy Futures

PAGE has arranged for two experts from Bristol-based Solarsense to provide a talk on renewable energt options for domestic heating including domestic air-source heat pumps and biomass systems., in the light of the Government's consultation process on Renewable Heat Incentives.
All welcome - free of charge.
Please contact Penny Rogers (01761 470589) for more info.

Jul 2012

Why not take part in the national butterfly count which runs from 14 July to 5 August. See details here

For the future, we hope some of you can make litter-pick around Priston on Saturday 22 September. Meet at 9.30am at village hall. We could then meet back in the village cafe at 10.30 and have a chat about ideas for new projects. Everyone welcome!

Nov 2011 - PAGE litter pick

Sat 26 Nov 2011 - Meet at the Village Green for a litter pick in the lanes around Priston.. Drinks in the Rong O' Bells afterwards.. The oil buying group is still going strong and growing. If anyone else wants to join, contact Peter Brookes by email or on 470589.

Oct 2011 - Photovoltaic panels in Priston

[Note: since this article was provided there has been a review of feed-in tariffs - see info here]

About a year ago four households in Priston took the plunge and had PV panels fitted, with another following more recently. You probably think they don’t exactly improve the aesthetics of the village roofscape, but I think they represent an exciting example of how energy will be generated in the future, and of course they produce a fair bit of electricity from a renewable source, encourage you to watch how you use energy generally … and they look like being a much better investment than most pension funds or savings accounts. A few details:
•    We each spent somewhere between £3,500 and £4,000 per ‘kilowatt peak’ (kWp) of generating capacity (per 4 or 5 panels) in getting them installed.
•    The systems are generating at least 10% more than was originally estimated by the installer, giving an income of around £400 per kWp per year. This income is guaranteed by the Government for 25 years with RPI based increases.
•    On top of this, by using the electricity as it is generated we are cutting electricity bills by at least £100¬¬–£150 a year. For example, you can use the immersion heater to heat water (when the sun shines) instead of the boiler and so save oil.

Any down sides, you might ask … the quarterly payments are pretty slow to arrive, taking about 10 weeks from submission of a meter reading, and advertisers’ claims that the panels generate even if the day is overcast are true but only just, giving around 10% compared to full sun. Prices of the systems are lower now – perhaps £3,000 per kWp is achievable now – so in hindsight perhaps we should have waited!

If you want to get the current high ‘feed-in tariff’ you will need to get the system in and registered before 31 March 2012. Give me a call on 01761 470589 if you want to hear more about our experience and see the installation.

Peter Brookes

(see the next item for more info)

Generate your own electricity and MAKE MONEY

Is anybody up for considering jointly procuring solar photovoltaic (PV) panels and installing them/getting them installed and taking advantage of the new guaranteed inflation linked feed in tarriffs coming in shortly?

If you have an unshaded roof facing South or a few degees either side at 30 -40 degees slope (or a protected spot elsewhwere) then it may well work for you.
Broadly you might expect to pay £10-12K for an installation, and The Guardian calculates one could expect to get up to £1,000 each year tax-free from energy savings and payments for the electricity you feed in to the National Grid. Although the economics will vary according to local factors this is a very significant return compared with alternative financial and other investments one can make.

For more information see:

If you are interested in finding out more about how you can save energy and make money, please contact Peter Brookes by email or on 470589.

Other current PAGE initiatives

Buying local lamb together
Wildife gardening
Sourcing and buying firewood together
Community energy-producing schemes
Ground source heating talk
We have started a ‘mini' Community Agriculture scheme on Church Farm: four households have got together to keep hens to produce eggs. So far, all’s going well!
People have expressed an interest in planting more apple trees in the village. There is also the possibility of harvesting apples that would otherwise not get picked, perhaps turning some of them into juice.
The latest joint oil order has been delivered.

If you are interested in further information on any of the above, phone Peter on 470589 .

	Priston Action Group for the Environment
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Priston Action Group for the Environment