Can I generate my own electricity?

Can I generate my own electricity?

Jane Furnival (Author) gives expert video advice on: How can I save electricity?; Is it worth spending money insulating my home? and more...

You can generate your own electricity, but it's early days at the moment. You can install solar panels in your roof, or wind, or water generators, if your home is suitable. Perhaps you can become what's called a “microgenerator” and even sell back surplus energy to a supplier. Now Green Energy offers a scheme called “Home Generation”, or “homegen,” which pays you 4.5 penny for every unit of electricity you generate, even if you use them yourself. But you do need expert advice, and you need planning permission from your local authority before you begin.Don't pay thousands of pounds for solar panels if your roof doesn't face south. If you don't live in a windy area, you can't have a wind generator. You need to check with your local authority's planning department, even if you just put solar panels on, especially if you live in a conservation area. But you can get grants towards the cost of all this. The Energy Saving Trust will tell you more. If you live in London, try Green Homes.