19.02.10 Microgeneration would be popular with bigger finanial incentives

The majority of homeowners in the UK would be happy to install microgeneration systems to generate their own electricity and provide extra power to the grid. However, they would only be prepared to do this in return for greater financial incentives from the government.

These findings comes from the results of a survey commissioned by Friends of the Earth, the Co-Operative Group and the Renewable Energy Association. 2,100 adults were questioned for the survey which sheds light on the changes that are needed to improve the chances of the UK becoming a leader in microgeneration.

According to the survey, 71% of the respondents would consider installing systems if they were given enough money in return. 64% also said that the proposed feed-in tariff was not ambitious enough. This is the premium rate that would be paid to those generating electricity and supplying it back to the grid.

Also revealed by the survey was the fact that 70% of respondents would be prepared to pay an extra 10p on their monthly electricity bills until 2013, on top of the £1.17 increase that has already been proposed.

When they were told that the UK produces the lowest amount of green energy out of 27 EU countries, 82% of the respondents said that this was “unacceptable”. 88% of the respondents also said that more money needs to be spent to develop renewable energy of our own after being told that 80% of the country’s natural gas will come from abroad by 2020.

Andy Atkins from Friends of the Earth said that the public “overwhelmingly wants the government to think big when it comes to small-scale renewable energy”, saying that “our homes, businesses and communities could become green power stations”.

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