Clean renewable energy, saves money and the planet!

Take a few moments to learn how you can power your home using clean renewable energy, saving money and the planet!

What do we mean by ‘clean energy’?

Power stations, wind turbines and solar farms all feed their energy into the Grid, like rivers running into a big pond. When you switch to clean energy, your supplier guarantees that however much electricity you take out of the ‘pond’, the same amount of clean energy will be put in. The more people who switch to clean tariffs, the more renewable energy that goes into the pond. This means that the energy sector is producing less pollution and carbon which is crucial if we are to reduce global warming and climate change.

Approximately 30% of the UK’s electricity is generated from renewable sources.

Under new laws, Britain’s biggest energy companies will have to buy renewable energy from their own customers, for example, homeowners who install new rooftop solar panels from 1 January 2020 will be able to lower their bills by selling the energy they do not need to their supplier.

The future of energy is local and the new smart export guarantee will ensure that households who choose to become green energy generators will be guaranteed a payment for electricity supplied to the grid. The government also hopes to encourage homes with solar panels to install batteries.

Greg Jackson, the founder of Octopus Energy says “this means that homes and businesses can be paid for producing clean electricity just like traditional generators, but replacing old dirty power stations and pumping more renewable energy into the grid. This will help bring down prices for everyone as we use cheaper power generated locally by our neighbours.”

Léonie Greene, a director at the Solar Trade Association says it will be vital that even “very small players” are paid a fair price. “We will be watching the market

like a hawk to see if competitive offers come forward that properly value the power that smart solar homes can contribute to the decarbonising of the electricity grid,” she said.

If this has convinced you then go to the www.bigcleanswitch.org/SussexGreen – within five minutes you’ll be able to view a cost comparison of your current energy provider with eight 100% clean renewable energy providers. We at Sussex Green Living are encouraging people to do this from the comfort of their home or if you prefer, do come along to the Horsham Repair Café and we will run through the process with you. Carrie the founder of Sussex Green Living and the co-founder of the Horsham Repair Café says “Everyone (bar one household) I have helped to switch has saved themselves money, between £90 and £366 in their first year”. She continues “So surely it is a no brainer that you’ll save money and the Planet”. This is the biggest action anyone can take in the fight against climate change. If you want to find out more ways to dramatically reduce you / your family’s carbon footprint then read and download our guide – ’22 Pledges to the Planet – action plan’. what you can do to make a difference.

Written by Catherine Edminson

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