A longer term view of energy

I would like to begin this article with a simple plea to the solar industry.

The terms ‘alternative energy’, ‘micro-generation’ and ‘green energy’ really doesn’t inspire one or ‘cut the mustard’. A better way to describe solar panels, wind turbines and other similar technologies would be ‘self-generation technologies’.

These phrases, which are used within our industries, are doing us a disservice because they demean, belittle and simply paint an incorrect picture of the benefits which these types of systems provide.

Take the most commonly used phrase ‘green energy’. Mr Joe Bloggs, sitting in his home, having just received an eye- wateringly expensive energy bill, sees no other option available to him except to wait for the next, maybe even higher bill.

To Mr Joe Bloggs, green energy is not an option for his home because he wants to save money, not worry about the planet. Why on earth (excuse the pun) would he wish to pay for an expensive system which only benefits the environment?

In a different universe, where solar panels are commonly known as ‘self-generation technologies’, suddenly Mr Bloggs decides he does have another option. He can say ‘No’ to paying ever- escalating energy bills and ‘Yes’ to generating his own power, which will ultimately benefit him.

The whole eco thing doesn’t enter his head, but once his system is installed, the environment still benefits in a secondary way. Mr and Mrs Jones next door will then show interest – not wanting to be left behind.

Even large-scale wind turbines will become more acceptable because whole villages will see the benefits of having self- generating power for the benefit of the people living there, not just the environment as is currently the problem now. Village rivalry, just like the example of the Joneses could drive the ‘self-generation’ economy to spread.

Energy pricing

Looking at the longer term view for traditional energy pricing does not look good. The big six energy suppliers have shaved your bills by £30 a year, but raised them by hundreds over the last couple of years. Two large steps forward and one small step back is how energy is now priced.

Cynically I suspect it’s so they can get maximum PR for minimum cuts. This so called re-alignment of wholesale and resale pricing recently, does reflect the long term outlook for the oil, gas and electricity prices as they continue to rise by 10-20% but are then lowered by 5%, which can be currently described as ‘two steps forward and one step back’.

The energy industry’s own forecast predicts an average annual energy bill by 2020 to be £2,000 or more and that is based on nothing going wrong in the supply chain between now and then.
The ability to self-generate suddenly doesn’t seem so crazy now.

Social means tested tariffs

With the recent cuts in energy prices from some of the big six energy companies (at the time of writing) you may be excused for thinking a 5% cut will bring a welcome relief to some of the poorest families now stuck in fuel poverty.

Unfortunately some of the poorest families are paying more for their household energy than wealthier families, which cancels out any benefit. This immoral state of affairs needs to be tackled through a means tested social tariff scheme, which will protect the most vulnerable in society from corporate exploitation, especially for essential amenities like electricity and gas.

Egyptian, Tunisian and Libyan leaders were toppled last year and social unrest spread, because like countless other leaders in history they refused help to their people, who were faced with unaffordable food and energy prices.

If a society cannot or will not provide the three basic amenities of food, water and warmth, then we can predict that – using history as our guide – more and more social unrest will happen.

For anyone seriously considering a solar heating or electric panels installation, we can provide you with free quotes from trusted MCS solar panel installers, both local and nationwide.

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