Forming our future

As our business and website grows we are making use of more and more web-based programs and services to help our business perform.  Wufoo is the latest of these add-ons and, due to what it does for us, we've decided to tell you all about it.

Wufoo is a form creator that allows us to collect data from potential customers and act on it to (hopefully) turn them into actual customers.  There is a simple drag and drop system for the creation of forms which can be hosted on our website, once the data is posted it is saved in Wufoo's central directory and notifications are posted to our email address.  It is a free and easy way to collect potential client information for Solar PV, Solar Thermal and Energy Efficiency Surveys.


The team at Wufoo couldn't be more helpful and quick to respond when you have a query of any type, even if you only sign up to their free service provision.  Forms can be emailed or web-hosted, are easily editable and can be customised for your needs as well as having integration available for payment schemes such as paypal.


So if you're looking for a way to collect data online, for your business, personal or academic purposes take a look at Wufoo, you won't regret it.

Supply good energy to Good Energy

The Feed in Tariff is a wonderful thing indeed, allowing those of us who produce electricity via our own resources to be financially rewarded will raise awareness of the scarcity of energy and increase our respect for it. 

The FiT scheme is simple too; the government tax energy providers via the carbon levy and put that money into a pot.  The funds are redistributed to the energy providers who can prove that their customers have MCS accredited installations that are producing accurately measured quantities of electricity. The same customers are then reimbursed by the energy providers for each unit they produce on a quarterly basis.

A number of energy providers see this as an administrative chore, and who can blame them?  After all the energy they are 'purchasing' from micro-generators is so small when compared with the levels they produce via the fossil fuel hungry power stations. Good Energy are a company who sell only renewable energy, that is to say that 100% of the energy they sell is provided through, solar, hydro, anaerobic digestion, wind turbines or any other form of non-polluting renewable energy source.  They are the only company in the UK who offer such a supply.

As a result of their dedication to renewable energy Good Energy are excellent administrators of the FiT scheme.  Their application packs are simple, clear and concise whilst being comprehensive and transparent in walking their energy suppliers right through the FiT process.

That is why we at Norman Environmental encourage all our PV customers, or anyone seeking to become a micro-generator, to sign up to selling their energy to Good Energy - a company that encourages micro-generation as the very back-bone to it's business. Just like us really.

Why we want the judicial review to back the FiT reduction for schemes over 50kW (part 2)

Last week we commented on how the clamour of heavily funded solar PV speculators to reverse the Government review of FiT's wasn't good for the renewable culture we need to nurture in the UK.  Today we are concentrating on the economic impacts of large scale, grid connected solar farms if they are rewarded with the original feed in tariff rates as the complainants would have it.

So to set the scene: The UK is still suffering from the effects of the credit crunch and subsequent economic recession. Unemployment is high (although recent figures suggest a significant reversal, much of that has been attributed to part time workers), as is inflation, the banks are not lending, interest rates have been at historically low levels since March 2009 and the construction industry has taken a nosedive at a time where housing stocks are low.

The FiT review is designed to discourage 'solar fields'

The Coalition Government are charged with reversing these trends, and must do everything in their power to do so for the good of the country. One of the growth sectors they have identified is the renewable/green market, since we as a country have made a legal commitment to reduce carbon output in the Copenhagen Agreement.  The UK has signed up to ambitious targets to reduce our carbon impact by half against 1990 levels, so it would seem that investment in the 'green' economy is the only solution. As a means of raising funds necessary to help make this staggering change in our culture, the omni-profitable utility companies have been hit with a carbon levy, or 'green tax'.  It was decreed by the last Government that this fund be re-distributed (via the feed in tariff) to those who generate their own electricity; simultaneously penalising polluters and rewarding those who turn to renewable sources of energy.  2 birds, 1 stone.

In the UK there are a number of FiT qualified installations available but, much like in Germany, the overwhelming favourite, accounting for about 95% of our FiT payments, is solar PV.  Solar PV installations come in many shapes and sizes but the recent FiT review has sought to discourage large scale installations on a purely financial level - and therefore make smaller systems more attractive to those who wish to invest in this vital sector of Britain's modern economy.

When thinking about the economic impact of the choice between smaller scale installations and 'solar fields', the simple economic principle to consider is economies of scale.  This principle is universally accepted by economists, politicians, butchers, bakers and candlestick makers alike.  The simple premise is that in the creation of any product, the more you produce the cheaper the cost per unit and the greater profit per unit you are able to make (up to a point where you maximise the marginal returns). When you apply that theory to the solar PV part of the UK feed in tariff scheme, the larger a solar PV project the cheaper the unit cost of supply and installation. However, due to the fixed value of payments the most attractive marginal return is set too high and the subsequent drain on the carbon levy pot of funds is perceived as too great by the current Government.  The simple fact of the matter is that the last Government set the fixed prices too high and created a market where large value speculators can use economies of scale to make disproportionate profits.  We would argue that at this juncture - where tradesmen are out of work, where students are selecting further education purely because they fear unemployment - it is the grass roots of business that need the shot in the arm, to create the wealth of tomorrow.    

The Government would prefer you pop a few panels on your house,
and so would the economy!

Consider now the ineconomy of smaller scale production where labour represents a higher proportion of the input and proportionally greater management time and greater effort per unit is required, not to mention the design nuances of small scale bespoke projects.  This means added costs, but luckily, in the instance of the FiT scheme, the unit price (set by the  Government) is also proportionally higher.  So smaller scale MCS installations require great input from local sources; or in other words - they provide more jobs.  The income generated from the scheme then goes to the people who own the small scale installation, who are far more likely to be the kind of  'normal' folk who have been affected deeply by the recession.  The scheme now turns into something that does not provide benefit only to the wealthy but also provides employment and secure income to those who are deeply concerned that today's pension market may never fulfil their requirements. In economic terms the review has reduced the marginal return for all those installations above 50kW and shifted the highest marginal returns to those installations below 50kW - making smaller installations, and smaller installers, a more attractive prospect.

In summary, we believe that if the judicial review finds in favour of the conglomerate of suppliers, installers and others it will mean more money for the rich and less for the poor; but should the Government's decision be supported it will mean that government intervention has been for the greater good, bringing more jobs, income and tariff benefits to the people who need it.

Why we want the judicial review to back the FiT reduction for schemes over 50kW

Much has been written and said about the accelerated feed in tariff review and the subsequent judicial review requested by a number of individuals and organisations.  Most of the comment has been from the perspective of the very same parties who are likely to miss out as a result of the reduction in feed in tariff for those solar PV projects larger than 50kW.  As a mostly small scale domestic installer, Norman Environmental feel that an important side to this argument is being ignored by both the press and the web's 'thought leaders' - who appear to us to be heavily weighed down by the financial returns of 50kW+ solar PV 'fields'.


We at Norman Environmental believe that to secure a low carbon future, the whole country has to undergo a culture-shift, and slowly we believe that this is beginning to happen.

We're backing Chris Huhne on FiT reductions over 50kW

Evidence of this can been seen all around us.  For example, cost cutting has meant in some counties refuse and recycling waste are picked up on alternate fortnights, forcing many people to recycle more waste and recycle more efficiently. Also, things we used to take for granted like petrol, diesel, electricity and gas are more expensive than ever, meaning that we are being more frugal in our energy usage.  

Meanwhile the term 'carbon footprint' has permeated our language to such an extent that we are more aware than ever that each and every one of our actions has the potential to impact the environment.

Solar fields will not create the cultural change we need in the UK

The question you may be asking is, where does micro generation fit into this?  And those of you who disagree with the thread we are developing are right to think that more solar panels equals less carbon output.  You may think that since that is our goal, solar fields are are a good, swift solution to our problem. 

Well no. That's not how we see things at all.  In fact we would argue that that attitude is (almost) as short sighted as the one that got modern western society in this mess in the first place. 

It is true that the quicker we install more solar panels and large scale renewable energy sources the quicker we will reduce our reliance on fossil fuels. But where then? How do we ensure that in the long term we treat energy with respect, thereby minimising waste? How do we ensure that we are not just putting the problem off until tomorrow? We believe that, in the minds of the subsequently ignorant population, a plethora of large solar fields are no better or worse than fossil-fuel-hungry power stations. However, should micro generation become part of UK culture - and everyone, or at least as many as possible, in the UK becomes more aware of the human, environmental and financial cost of harnessing energy for their own use - then we believe that we, as a nation, will create a culture of treating energy with respect.

The fact is that our carbon output has to be squeezed from both sides, minimising consumption AND maximising economy.  Encouraging small scale installations will allow solar PV to help reduce carbon output from both directions as individual homes monitor their energy generation and consumption. In our opinion too many solar fields will unbalance the equation toward haste and away from lasting change and that is why we want the judicial review to find that the Government are within their rights to make the tariff reduction on schemes above 50kW.

Our next blog will be part 2 of why we want the judicial review to support the Government giving our thoughts on the subsequent economic benefits.

Solar Thermal and the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI)

Solar thermal panels and tubes are designed to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels to provide heat in our homes and commercial properties. They work almost in reverse to air conditioning and refrigeration units, by harvesting solar-heat and transferring it to a water cylinder. They can be of great benefit as a subsidiary heating source especially where the property in question relies on oil or LPG gas for heat. These fossil fuels are becoming prohibitively expensive and as such the free heat provided by the sun through a solar thermal system is hugely attractive, especially to those in remote areas.



This diagram shows how solar thermal installations work as an addition to your existing system

 The upcoming renewable heat incentive (RHI) provides potential buyers with another financial attraction on top of the savings described above. So far we have been made aware that the RHI will apply to a number of different systems, such as;

• Wood fueled heating such as biomass boilers,
• Ground source heat pumps,
• Air source heat pumps, and,
• Solar thermal installations

The renewable heat incentive will work in two stages, stage 1 provides the client with a subsidy toward the upfront cost of installation and stage 2 will work in a similar fashion to the feed-in-tariff (FiT) - insofar as it pays the owner a set fee per unit of heat harvested by the system, measured in kW hours. Current indications are that the stage 1 payment for solar thermal installations will be £300, whilst stage 2 payments will be 8p per unit, and that recurring payments will be index linked and paid for a period of 20 years.  The Energy Saving Trust believe that although all installations completed since 15th July 2009 will be eligible for stage 2 payments, stage 1 payments will not come into effect until 2012.

Are you interested in a quote for a Solar Thermal installation at your home or business premises? Fill in this form to arrange for a survey and quote today.

Cutting energy bills

Over the last month we have been consulting and installing for a client in Bristol, Contract and Construction Consultants who are  leading specialists of contract dispute resolution with many decades of experience.  The company have an office in a 3-storey Victorian semi, typical of the Clifton area of the city, and are soon to open another office in London. 





CCC's office in Clifton



Although it is a striking and classic building in many ways, it brings with it a number of energy conundrums -  after reviewing the layout and composition of the building, comparing that to the building services installed and their state of repair, then weighing those up against the energy bills over a 12 month period - Norman Environmental were able to put forward a number of energy saving proposals:

1. To reduce heat loss and stress on the heating system and improve comfort by;

• Insulating the front facing void beneath the ground floor, and,
• Draft proofing the timber windows and doors

    2.   Improve gas efficiency with;

• A replacement, highly efficient, Viessman gas boiler,
• A new external weather compensation unit, and,
• Thermostatic radiator valves installed to each of the building's radiators.

    3.   Reduce solar gain via;

• The installation of window film to the South facing windows and and roof lights.

    4.   Reduce electricity consumption by;

• Replacing a number of the high energy light fittings and lamps with low energy alternatives, and,
• Installing a V-Phase unit to optimise voltage.

CCC agreed that the measures we proposed would make a significant positive difference to the comfort levels of their staff and reduce the company's energy costs, and instructed us to proceed. To minimise disruption for the staff at CCC we have worked on the premises over the bank holiday weekends in April and May and will carry out the final stage of works during the Whitsun bank holiday weekend.

We estimate that the result of our installations will be an annual saving of 30% on CCC's electricity bills and 40% on their gas bills.  Norman Environmental will continue to monitor the situation at CCC over the 12 months subsequent to the completion of our installations, to measure the effectiveness of our changes.  With energy bills set to rise significantly in the near future, these savings will be further exaggerated - allowing CCC to benefit from a annually rising return on the investment they have made in their property.  We'll be sure to report our findings in this blog, when we expect to see a reduction in the company's annual carbon output of over 4 tonnes.

If you think that your home or business premises could benefit from an energy survey, then get in touch via email, visit our website, or comment below.

Measure and reduce your carbon footprint

As anyone who paid attention in science lessons at school will tell you, energy cannot be destroyed, only changed into another form, and an inefficient energy conversion always results in waste.  Carbon dioxide (CO2) is the primary waste product of man's insatiable hunger for energy as we try to convert it into heat, light and electrical current - so much so that even our individual annual CO2 outputs are measured in tonnes.

Back through Earth's history high concentrations of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere have coincided with climate change. Compared to historical data, during man's existence on this planet anyway, today's CO2 levels are high and as can be seen below, are on an upward trend.

Weather patterns in recent years have been erratic, and other geological events such as earthquakes and volcano eruptions seem to be more common place than ever.  Whether man's endless emission of CO2 is responsible for these events or whether it is the natural cycle of things is perhaps debatable - what cannot be argued however is that man's CO2 output is not helping matters, at best we are exasperating the situation, at worst we are the sole purveyors of this planet's impending doom.  The likelihood is that the truth, as is so often the case, lies somewhere in the middle.

My belated point is that we as a species have a duty to reduce our impact on the world, and thereby lighten our carbon footprint.  With that in mind Norman Environmental are proud to announce our association with Carbon Footprint, a leading carbon management company. 

We have already begun to dovetail our own services with that of Carbon Footprint, using their calculator to assess the carbon impact of each of our clients and showing the differences made once our proposed changes are implemented. We can then offer carbon offset programmes, such as tree plantations in the UK and abroad, to bring private clients, SME's and corporates to a carbon neutral position.

As Dr Wendy Buckley, co-founder of Carbon Footprint says in a video on their website;
"Stakeholders are increasingly looking for their businesses, not be seen, but to actually have green actions in place"

There is more to reducing business's environmental impact than just pleasing stakeholders as John Buckley, MD of Carbon Footprint explains;
"For every £1 our clients spend with us on Carbon Management they typically save £10 and win £100 of new business."
That sounds like a good deal to us, save money, reduce your impact on this delicate world and increase your business.

We are so taken with Carbon Footprint that we have decided to host their free domestic carbon calculator on our own website to help our website visitors, wherever they may be in the world, to measure and understand their own carbon footprint so that they may consider the big and small changes they can make to reduce it.