Harness Wind and Sun Power
By Taylor, Jennifer
Energy-efficient practices may benefit from solar panels or wind turbines, writes Jennifer Taylor
Installing solar panels and wind turbines at the practice is likely to be attractive to ecologically minded GPs.
However, if you want to cut CO2 emissions, generating ‘free’ energy from solar and wind power should not be the first option you consider.
Experts say the biggest carbon emission reductions are likely Io come from steps such as using conventional energy supplies more efficiently, insulating loft areas, installing double glazing and so on.
But it is appropriate to consider solar and wind power alter these tackling these other areas.GPs will need Io research system and installation costs, whether grant funding is available, the likely savings on energy bills and the potential for lower CO2 emissions,
Ian Bums, head of planning and new communities at Cambridgeshire PCT, says there is no NHS funding for ‘green’ features for practice premises. Invited to join a DoH estates working group set up to revise its guidance on primary care premises, Mr Burns says solar and wind power and other eco-friendly systems are likely to he on the agenda.
‘Increasingly local planners are asking for these measures to he put in,’ he says.
However, funding may he available from the Department ofTradc and Industry’s (DTPs) Low-Carbon Buildings scheme. GP practices are eligible for 40-50 per cent grants for both solar panels and wind turbines under the DTI scheme, in stream 2A of the phase 1 programme. The next grant application deadline is 30 June.
Converting solar energy
Solar energy is most often used to heat water and can also he used to provide electricity using photovoltaic (PV) systems that convert the energy of sunlight into electric energy.
Solar water heating works alongside conventional water heaters. According to the Fnergy SavingTrust, this can provide almost all of the practice’s hot water during the summer and about 50 per cent during the rest of the year.
Main components consist of solar panels (also called solar collectors), a heat-transfer system and a hot water cylinder. For solar panels to be worth installing, you will need 2-5m^sup 2^ of south-east to south-west facing roof that gets minimal shade.
Flat-plate solar collector systems arc 30 per cent more efficient and cheaper to install, hut evacuated-tube systems (banks of glass tubes connected into a manifold) take up less space and are 40 per cent efficient.
Which is better will depend on roof size and how much of it is south facing, the existing water heating system and your budget. Mal- plate collectors typically cost 2,500-3,500 for three to foursquare metres and evacuated-tubc systems, 3,500-5,000.
For suppliers, visit the Energy Saving Trust or the Solar Trade Association website.
The larger the wind turbine, the more electricity it can produce. A turbine rated at 600W to 1.5kW costs 1,500-3,000, while turbines rated 2.5-20kW cost 6,500-20,000.
The reduction in energy hills achievable will depend on how much it costs to buy and install a turbine, electricity prices and how much electricity the turbine produces.
On a windy site, a turbine will pay for itself and start to generate free electricity more quickly, but is unlikely to be worthwhile on a sheltered site.
Wind speeds
You can assess wind speeds at the practice site using an anemometer for several months to a year. The equipment costs 100- 200. For more on determining wind speeds, see the Wind and Sun and Windsurvey websites.
If your surgery is in an exposed location, you may be able to estimate your average wind speed using the DTI’s UK windspeed database.
Investigate different products to see how much energy they are expected to generate for the average wind speed in your particular location.
The National Knergy Foundation offers a consultancy service and for 2.500 they will visit the surgery and produce a 20-page ‘Wind Scope’ report, describing where the wind turbines could be located, how much it will cost, return on investment, local planning department issues, quotes from suppliers and an action plan.
"Our solar panels cost 26,573 but we acquired a 50 per cent grant
Resources
* Low-Carbon Buildings Programme www.lowcarbonbuildings.org.uk
* Solar Trade Association www.greenenergy.org.uk/sta
* Energy Saving Trust www.est.org.uk
* Department of Trade and Industry www.dti.gov.uk (key UK Windspeed Database into search function)
* British Wind Energy Association www.bwea.com
* Wind and Sun Ltd www.windandsun.co.uk
* Windsurveywww.windsurvey.co.uk
* National Energy Foundation www.nef.org.uk
Case study Rutland Lodge, Leeds
Rutland Lodge Medical Centre in Leeds was built with eco- friendly features a priority. The practice employed architects and environmental consultants Leeds Environmental Design Associates to design their new building. 1We wanted as many ecological features as we could,’ Dr Simon Ottman, one of the seven GP partners says.
The building has under-floor heating, uses rainwater for flushing toilets and has solar power. A sycamore tree outside the waiting room provides shade in summer and lets the sun through in the winter.
Their PV solar panels cost 26,573 but the practice applied for a 50 per cent grant (see main text). Dr Ottman says: ‘Cost will prohibit you from doing everything you’d like to do. It will be 15- 25 years before we’ll see any cost savings.’
Copyright Haymarket Business Publications Ltd. Apr 20, 2007
(c) 2007 GP. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.