How Rooftop Solar is Transforming Germany
In the global push for renewable energy, rooftop solar panels have emerged as a leading technology, reshaping energy landscapes across the world. Among the frontrunners, Germany stands out for its exceptional implementation and transformative impact of rooftop solar energy. At SuSy House, we are advocates for the use of clean energy, and we draw inspiration from the remarkable strides made by countries like Germany.
A Leader in Rooftop Solar Adoption
Germany’s journey with solar energy began earnestly in the early 2000s, fuelled by the Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG), which provided substantial subsidies for renewable energy projects. This policy framework has been pivotal in positioning Germany as a global leader in solar energy.
Key Statistics:
- Installed Capacity: As of 2023, Germany boasts an installed solar PV capacity of over 59 gigawatts (GW), making it one of the largest solar markets in the world.
- Rooftop Solar Contribution: Rooftop solar installations contribute significantly to this capacity, with approximately 1.8 million systems installed across the country.
- Energy Mix: Solar energy accounts for around 9% of Germany’s total electricity generation, with rooftop solar playing a crucial role in this achievement.
Economic and Environmental Impact
The widespread adoption of rooftop solar has had a profound impact on Germany’s economy and environment.
Economic Benefits:
- Job Creation: The solar industry has generated tens of thousands of jobs in Germany, spanning manufacturing, installation, maintenance, and research.
- Cost Savings: Households and businesses with rooftop solar systems enjoy significant savings on electricity bills. Over 20 years, a typical German household can save upwards of €10,000 on energy costs.
- Energy Independence: Rooftop solar has reduced Germany’s reliance on imported fossil fuels, enhancing energy security and economic resilience.
Environmental Benefits:
- Carbon Emissions Reduction: Germany’s solar capacity helps avoid approximately 50 million tons of CO2 emissions annually, contributing significantly to the country’s climate goals.
- Sustainable Cities: By integrating solar panels into urban infrastructure, cities like Freiburg and Munich have become models of sustainable urban living.
Policy and Innovation Driving Success
Germany’s success with rooftop solar can be attributed to a combination of supportive policies and continuous innovation.
- Feed-in Tariffs (FiTs): FiTs have provided long-term price guarantees for solar electricity, making investments in rooftop solar financially attractive.
- Grid Integration: Advanced grid management and storage solutions have facilitated the seamless integration of solar power into the national grid.
- Technological Advancements: Ongoing research and development have led to higher efficiency solar panels and innovative installation techniques, reducing costs and improving performance.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Rooftop Solar in Germany
The future of rooftop solar in Germany looks promising, with ambitious targets and ongoing advancements:
- Renewable Energy Targets: Germany aims to achieve 80% renewable electricity by 2030, with solar energy playing a pivotal role.
- Energy Storage Solutions: Enhanced energy storage technologies will further stabilise solar power supply, ensuring consistent energy availability.
- Smart Grids: The development of smart grid infrastructure will optimise energy distribution and usage, maximising the benefits of rooftop solar.
Inspiration for Global Adoption
Germany’s success story with rooftop solar is a testament to what can be achieved with visionary policies, technological innovation, and public support. At SuSy House, we are inspired by these achievements and are dedicated to bringing similar success to our clients and communities in the South West of England.
By adopting rooftop solar solutions, we can collectively contribute to a sustainable future, reduce energy costs, and foster economic growth. Join us in embracing the power of the sun and transforming our world, one rooftop at a time.
Transforming your outdoor space into a sustainable garden oasis
In an era of increasing environmental awareness, many homeowners are wanting to create outdoor spaces that not only enhance the beauty of their property but also promote sustainability and biodiversity. Whether you have a sprawling garden or a small urban balcony, there are countless ways to transform your outdoor space into a sustainable garden oasis that nourishes the soul and supports local ecosystems.
Embrace organic gardening practices
One of the key principles of sustainable gardening is to work with nature rather than against it. Instead of relying on chemical fertilisers and pesticides, opt for organic gardening practices that promote soil health and natural pest control. You could choose a no-dig gardening approach which avoids traditional tilling or digging and instead focuses on layering organic materials like compost, straw and mulch on the soil surface. This low effort approach requires less physical labour, making it an appealing option for both novice and experienced gardeners. You can also compost kitchen scraps and garden waste can enrich the soil with essential nutrients and reduce the need for synthetic fertilisers. Additionally, planting native species can attract beneficial insects and wildlife that help maintain a healthy ecosystem.
Conserve water
While many don’t realise it, water is still a precious resource here in the UK, with areas like the South East being particularly water-poor. This region has a similar amount of rain as Lebanon and London only has around 90 days worth of water storage at any time.
By incorporating drip irrigation, you can significantly reduce water waste by delivering water directly to the roots of your plants through a network of tubes, pipes, and emitters. This method ensures that plants receive a consistent and precise amount of moisture, promoting healthier growth while also conserving water.
Rainwater harvesting is another effective method to collect and use rainwater for your garden. One of the most common methods is rooftop rainwater harvesting where rainwater is collected from the roof of a building and directed into storage tanks attached to downspouts. This can be used for non-potable uses like irrigation, toilet flushing, and washing, or potable uses if properly treated.
Mulching helps retain soil moisture, reducing the need for frequent watering. Choosing drought-tolerant plants ensures that your garden can thrive with minimal water. Some examples of these include –
- Succulents: Plants like Sedum and Sempervivum (houseleeks) are well-suited to dry conditions and can be easily found in UK garden centres.
- Native Plants: Many UK native plants, such as Lavender (Lavandula) and Thyme (Thymus), are naturally adapted to local climates and require less water.
- Perennials: Plants like Eryngium (sea holly) and Achillea (yarrow) are known for their drought tolerance and vibrant blooms.
Promote biodiversity and habitat preservation
Planting a variety of native plants can support a diverse array of wildlife, from pollinators like bees and butterflies to songbirds and beneficial predators like ladybirds. Enhancing biodiversity with habitat features such as birdhouses, bat boxes, and bee hotels is also beneficial, ensuring ecosystems can provide essential services and remain resilient in the face of environmental changes.
Enjoy the benefits of a sustainable garden
A sustainable garden oasis offers numerous benefits for homeowners and their communities.
- Air quality improvement: Plants in sustainable gardens act as natural filters, reducing pollutants such as carbon dioxide and particulate matter. This process contributes to improved air quality, making the surrounding environment healthier for residents.
- Mitigation of urban heat islands: Green spaces, particularly gardens with vegetation, help lower temperatures in urban areas. This mitigates the urban heat island effect, where cities experience higher temperatures compared to rural areas due to human activities and lack of vegetation.
- Promotion of mental health and well-being: Gardens provide tranquil environments that support relaxation and stress reduction. Access to green spaces has been linked to improved mental health outcomes, including decreased levels of anxiety and depression.
By investing in sustainable gardening practices and creating outdoor spaces that nourish the body, mind, and soul, you can make a positive impact on the environment while enjoying the beauty and serenity of your garden.
A comprehensive guide to energy grants in Bristol
- 22 January 2024
Bristol, a city renowned for its commitment to sustainability and environmental consciousness, offers a variety of energy grants to empower its residents and businesses in adopting green practices. These grants aim to reduce carbon footprints, enhance energy efficiency, and promote the use of renewable energy sources. In this article, we will explore the available energy grants in Bristol, providing a valuable resource for those seeking financial support in their journey towards a sustainable future.
The Bright Green Homes project delivered by Bristol City Leap along with local councils will fund and support eligible households to install a range of insulation and low-carbon technologies including, wall and loft insulations, heat pumps and solar PV. Find out more here.
The Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) is a government-run scheme, requiring energy companies to fund measures to tackle fuel poverty. This covers a wide range of improvements such as boiler replacements or insulation upgrades. You may be eligible if you receive certain benefits. Bristol City Council have agreed to the flexible scheme that slightly widens the criteria for eligibility, so you may qualify if you have a low household income or health condition. Find out more here.
You may be able to get free or cheaper insulation to reduce your home’s energy bills if your home has an energy performance certificate (EPC) of D to G or is in Council Tax bands A-D in England or A-E in Scotland or Wales. Find out more here.
If you’re a homeowner with an oil, gas or electric boiler, you could receive a grant for up to £7,500 towards a heat pump or biomass boiler. The nice thing about this grant is that your installer applies, so it’s low admin for you. Find out more here.
Retrofit West are offering vouchers of up to £250 towards an energy efficiency assessment of your home, to help you identify what kind of upgrades you could make. Find out more here.
If you’re a community group looking to support homeowners with retrofits, Retrofit West are offering grants of up to £20,000. Find out more here.
The West of England Combined Authority (WECA) offer grants of between £500 and £15,000 towards the cost of products or equipment that reduce a business’s emissions. Find out more here.
Means-tested benefit recipients are entitled to £900 towards energy payments. These are paid in three instalments throughout the year. If you’re eligible, you should receive these payments automatically but you can report online if you think a payment has been missed. Find out more here.
This scheme is available to millions of households in the UK for payments towards energy costs. If you get the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit, or are on a low income and have high energy costs, you should have received a letter by January 2024. The one-off £150 payment is credited automatically towards your energy bills. Find out more here.
If you have someone in your house that was born before September 24th 1957 you could claim a Winter Fuel Payment of between £250 and £600. Most people get the payment automatically if they’re eligible – you should receive a letter in October or November. Find out more here.
If you’re getting certain benefits or Support for Mortgage Interest, you may receive automatic Cold Weather Payments. A payment of £25 is triggered whenever the average temperature drops to zero degrees for a week. Find out more here.
Bristol’s commitment to sustainability is evident in the array of energy grants available to its residents and businesses. These grants not only contribute to a cleaner and greener environment but also help individuals and organizations save on energy costs. By taking advantage of these opportunities, Bristol continues to lead the way in fostering a sustainable future, proving that financial support combined with community-driven initiatives can make a significant impact on our journey towards a more eco-friendly society.
Breaking down the language barrier: working in an international team
- 4 October 2023
With our product team split across the UK and Brazil, we share what we’ve learnt about working together effectively.
Anyone who’s worked in a team with a mix of technical and non-technical people will know that even when you speak the same tongue, you’re often not speaking the same language. Whether it’s developers vs designers, or data scientists vs sales, communication can be a challenge. We love a challenge at SuSy so we threw another into the mix: half our team speak Portuguese and the other half speak English.
After two years of working together, we’ve managed to find our groove.
Communicate often
Everyone knows the key to any successful team or relationship is communication. When there’s the risk of things getting lost in translation, it’s even more important to check in regularly. We have tech meetings twice a week and message every day to stay up-to-date in between.
Say it again
Recap on what you covered last meeting, or earlier in the meeting. Repeat, clarify and ask questions to check you’re all on the same page. It’s more frustrating to invest development time on something that was misunderstood than to simply spend a bit of extra time clarifying up-front.
Use visuals
A picture paints a thousand words. Every bug we report is accompanied by a marked-up screenshot or a screen recording.
Make an effort with the language
It’s an opportunity to learn something new. Duolingo is a great, free way to brush up on a language. You might not be fluent any time soon but it’s rewarding to start to recognise some of the words and it’s a way to feel closer to your team.
Live, translated captions
This one’s our secret sauce. We were astounded to discover translated captioning on Google Meet calls. It’s doubled the efficiency of our tech meetings and it’s allowed our team to connect over jokes and dodgy translations!
Peaking early
- 12 December 2022
Net Zero? The big picture is looking good, but there are some gaps to fill in.
Last week saw the publication of the International Energy Agency’s (IEA) renewables outlook, a kind of annual report on world progress towards Net Zero. In the midst of a gloomy year, it was a surprisingly upbeat assessment.
Although they didn’t actually resort to the cliche about every cloud having a silver lining, IEA analysts have clearly come to regard the Russia-Ukraine war as a kickstarter for the renewables sector. SolarPV capacity is going to double over the next five years. Wind generation will increase by 65 per cent over the same period. Putin’s invasion will result in the world’s energy map being redrawn, with green energy overtaking coal by the end of the decade.
Result! But this rosy picture is complicated by another cliche, the one about the devil being in the detail.
As anyone who follows the ups and downs of the wind generation sector will attest, having generating capacity isn’t the same thing as having power in your wall sockets. Wind generation is notoriously unreliable. If it’s a still day, all the gigawatts of your turbine bank will be left sitting idle. SolarPV generation is more predictable, but it still remains less reliable than coal, gas or nuclear. Ensuring the integrity of our energy supplies as we transition away from carbon is going to be a challenge.
Balancing up
It’s important to understand that imbalances of supply and demand are nothing new. While supply-side shortages are something of a novelty in Europe — unless you count the strikes of the early 70s — demand-side variations are a fact of life throughout the industry. (You’ve probably heard the old factoid about all the nation’s electric kettles being switched on at once when the half-time whistle sounds in a World Cup match.)
In the UK, the National Grid deals with such imbalances by means of dispatchables, generating resources that are relatively expensive to run but deployable at short notice. In, say, 1995, Grid engineers would have relied on coal and nuclear for baseline requirements and used gas-fired turbines as dispatchables. But now those resources now becoming less and less acceptable. Where are the green dispatchables that will take their place?
Some of the necessary technologies are already in place. For example, older readers may remember the rollout of pumped-storage hydroelectric in Scotland, when engineers showed off the systems that would use off-peak kilowatts to pump water back up into storage reservoirs in preparation for release during upcoming peaks. Geothermal and biomass systems can apparently be tweaked to function as dispatchables, too… but the IEA team is right to highlight a shortfall and to call for government initiatives to plug the gap.
Blue-sky solutions like sand batteries and gravity storage may provide a long-term fix. In the meantime, one of the best responses is likely to take the form of upmarket virtual power plants. With grid inverters and smart storage batteries, banks of household solar PV installations can become a powerful peaktime resource. Watch this space…
Third time lucky?
- 29 November 2022
The UK government’s ECO+ scheme looks like a step in the right direction.
Details are still emerging of the UK government’s upcoming green retrofit scheme… but the indications are that, unlike the Green Deal and Green Homes Grant that preceded it, ECO+ has got it right. Full marks to Grant Shapps, because retrofitting existing housing stock is a notoriously tough nut to crack. How exactly does ECO+ differ from its predecessors?
Nothing new
The government’s early briefing for ECO+ aligns it squarely with the ‘Help to Heat’ energy scheme, the ‘Energy Price Guarantee’, and an expansion of the ‘Help for Households’ campaign. That’s a canny decision. This is a time for concerted policy, not for blue-sky thinking.
Keep it simple
In place of the complex tariffs of potential improvements offered under the Green Deal and Green Homes Grant, ECO+ offers the simple, proven measure of improving home insulation. Its creators reckon this will reduce participant energy bills by UK£310 per year, and their briefing document doesn’t even mention the resulting carbon savings. During a fuel crisis, appealing to people’s wallets is the best way to get them to listen.
Line ’em up
Fully 80 per cent of the scheme’s £1bn of funding will go to the least energy-efficient homes in the country – those with EPC ratings of D or below — and to those in the lower Council Tax bands. Targeting those most badly affected by fuel poverty should help to maximize bang-per-buck, and will bring people on-side for more ambitious future measures… besides giving a significant boost to insulation companies.
In short, we’re gratified to see the an approach to green retrofitting that resembles the recommendations we came up with when the Green Homes Grant scheme collapsed in 2021. We hope that the Powers That Be will pay attention as the SuSy pilots get under way in Bristol.
Facing the minister
- 8 November 2022
One of the most memorable images from last year’s Cop26 climate conference was provided by Simon Kofe, foreign minister of the island nation of Tuvalu.
Mr. Kofe delivered his address from a desk on the shoreline of an atoll in the south Pacific. His message to the world was simple. “We are sinking,” he said.
The reluctance of the developed world to engage with climate change is rendered more unpalatable by the fact that its burden falls disproportionately onto poorer nations. How are we to look Mr. Kofe in the eye, when we know that the energy policies of our governments may result in the erasure of his country from the map? This is one of those occasions when the limitations of democracy become all too apparent.
While we might not be inclined to take the blame for, say, the creation of new oilfields on the UK mainland, we can accept responsibility for our own homes. If we all manage to put 30cm of insulation in our lofts and retire our gas boilers, it will become a little easier to shake Mr. Kofe’s hand and to wish his compatriots good luck in the coming decades.
Cop27 is a perfect opportunity for action. Watch this space.
Going Dutch?
- 26 October 2022
The UK’s response to the Energy Crunch, compared with those of former partners
The UK’s upcoming Autumn Statement may not be billed as a full-scale budget, but it will be a milestone for the incoming Sunak administration as it seeks to distance itself from the short-lived Team Truss and in particular that disastrous mini-budget. New Chancellor Jeremy Hunt can anticipate intense scrutiny of his first major policy statement, especially around the topic of energy policy. How does the UK stack up against its former EU partners? Can we expect Mr. Hunt to crib any good ideas?
In a Europe whose energy suppliers are largely in the private sector, the range of options turns out rather limited. We can discount attention-getting stunts like Italy’s decision to turn down the heating in public swimming pools. That leaves policymakers just a handful of practical measures. On the supplier side, governments can cap energy prices or tax energy companies. On the consumer side, they can deliver payouts, cut VAT, or seek to modify consumer behaviour.
Supply and demand
As you’d expect on a democratic continent, consumer payouts are universal. Most of them look pretty much like the ones announced in the UK. Spain, Norway and The Netherlands have all announced VAT reductions, but they’re definitely in the minority.
There are also half-hearted attempts at behaviour modification. Typical example: as well as chilling their swimming pools, Italians are being asked to turn down thermostats by one degree. Ho hum.
How about the supplier side? Price caps appear to be the preferred mechanism across northern Europe. They’ve been adopted by Germany, France, Poland, the Netherlands and Norway. The governments of Spain and Italy, meanwhile, have had recourse to windfall taxes. Regardless of your preference, it’s evident that the UK is out-of-step in choosing to apply both methods. (Spain, a long-term proponent of windfall taxation, also went belt’n’braces with a gas price cap this summer… but no-one’s sure how long that one will last.) A sympathetic commentator would doubtless talk of UK pragmatism.
Sweating the detail
Given this lacklustre set of precedents, it’s evident that Mr. Hunt is going to have a hard job coming up with major policies that are both effective and distinctive. We’d direct his attention to the detail instead. A few neat little ideas have been doing the rounds. They won’t make or break the UK’s budget, but they will signal that we’re headed in the right direction.
UK grid operator National Grid has proposed to make payments to consumers who shift demand out of peak hours. (Nice, but only smartmeter users need apply.)
Norway is making some of its consumer payouts in the form of loans, with stipulations about spending on green upgrades. The result should be long-term demand reductions, but the UK government’s record on administering green homes schemes is appalling.
MPs are demanding the removal of tax breaks for fossil fuel extractors from the Energy (Oil and Gas) Profits Levy Bill that implemented the UK’s windfall tax. We’d be anticipating brownie points for Mr. Hunt… except that the bill enacts the ideas of one R. Sunak.
What’s actually coming down the pipe? We’ll have to wait until Nov 17…
Four legs good
- 12 October 2022
Solar farms? It’s OK to have second thoughts.
“After much thought Snowball declared that the Seven Commandments could in effect be reduced to a single maxim, namely: ‘Four legs good, two legs bad.’ This, he said, contained the essential principle of Animalism. Whoever had thoroughly grasped it would be safe from human influences.”
– George Orwell, Animal Farm
Solar PV is the alt.energy hot ticket de jour. Once you’ve paid the costs of installation, panels deliver decades of free energy with minimal running costs.
Sure, there are lingering worries: problems of disposal or recycling, and the incomprehensible ethnic geopolitics of China’s semiconductor industry. But the bottom line is: panels, we love ’em.
So the announcement this week that the UK’s new Environment Secretary is planning measures that will restrict the spread of solar farms across agricultural land came as something of a surprise.
Ranil Jayawardena argues that solar farms impede his programme of boosting food production, placing this nascent industry squarely within the shadowy “anti-growth coalition” of which we’re hearing so much. The nature of his underlying concerns is indicated by the mechanism by means of which he proposes to control its development.
It’s a mechanism built on a ranking system. UK farmland has long been graded on a scale of 1 to 5, with grades 1, 2 and 3a rated as “best and most versatile” (BMV) land, from which solar projects are normally excluded. Jayawardena now proposes to extend this block to grade 3b land, thereby restricting solarPV development to grades 4 and 5. What are we to make of this?
(Photo)sensitive
The solar PV industry has always been sensitive to criticism, and alert observers won’t have missed the steady stream of solar-friendly research documenting mixed-use farms that combine solar panels with livestock, arable crops, herbs or bees. Despite this friendly image, real-world observations suggest that, in practice, solarPV presents as a form of monoculture.
In Spain and Portugal – where the industry is boosted both by high levels of incident sunlight and sympathetic governments – solar PV is progressively displacing older single-crop enterprises like olive farming. Indeed, after Portugal’s devastating forest fires had cleared huge swathes of old-growth forest, solar PV deployments were often rapid enough to cause controversy.
Orwell reminds us that the renewables sector is an industry like any other. The UK is both darker and more circumspect than most of its EU neighbours, so we needn’t anticipate intense power struggles on the southern European model. But Jayawardena’s concerns about agricultural productivity are justifiable, given the growing expense of shipping food (or anything else) over long distances.
SuSy’s response remains robust: let’s keep the farmland, and get those panels up on everyone’s roofs! After all, we have 1500 million square metres to play with…
Flocking to renewables
- 17 March 2022
How to decarbonize the housing sector? SuSy believes in collective action.
Despite recent advances in wind power and solar PV, nobody thinks decarbonization is going to be easy. The industrial revolution ushered in a boom in fossil fuels that touched every part of our society. The technologies based on those fuels are cheap, well-understood, and fully-invested. We might expect switching away to be the work of decades… but time’s a luxury that humanity no longer has.
SuSy is an attempt at grappling with this pressing problem. It focusses on one of the most resistant sectors of the economy, private housing, and its approach is informed by some basic considerations:
- Our houses waste a lot of energy.
Across Europe, around a third of our national energy usage goes into buildings. The UK’s private housing takes more than its share, partly because much of it is old and poorly-insulated, and partly because of what amounts to a national addiction to gas-fired central heating. - Householders hate to spend.
The commercial sector is slewing towards renewables, because its investments in plant and facilities are informed by clear-eyed commercial thinking. Private housing is lagging, because householders are reluctant to invest in new technology, especially when they can’t tell how to maximize their bang-per-buck. - No home is an island.
Although consumer advocates and energy switching sites persist in treating householders as Cartesian subjects, economists recognize that we’re herd animals. For homeowners to Do The Right Thing, they’ll need support and reassurance from their peers as well as clear-eyed financial analysis.
Our response to these considerations is twofold.
The first part is our USP, the harnessing of Big Data techniques. Although we’re proud of the ‘virtual consultancy’ that enables us to tell SuSy users how to maximize their returns based on a few simple inputs, it’s difficult to discuss these capabilities without straying into complex mathematics.
The second part is easier to communicate. We want homeowners to feel supported, both by SuSy itself and by our user community. To that end, we will provide SuSy users with a ‘grapevine’ where they can share experiences, and with smart metering that shows them how their efforts are paying off.
Because we look at a whole range of metrics which we relate to a broader account of changing household energy usage, the picture we gain is much more complex and multidimensional than that available from, say, a power company’s electric meter.
The data cloud gathered across the SuSy user base is unique in its scope, in its level of detail… and in the account it provides of emission reductions across a sector previously considered inaccessible.
We believe that SuSy will enable the private housing sector to become a leader, rather than a follower, in decarbonizing the UK economy.