UK micropower bill becomes law 21 June 06

A significant milestone in energy generation is crossed today in the UK as the Climate Change and Sustainable Energy Bill finally gets onto the statute book. Promoted by Edinburgh MP Mark Lazarowicz and taken up by parliamentarians from all parties, the Act will sweep aside many of the remaining barriers to the wide uptake of micro-generation in Britain.

“This Bill will give a big boost to householders and local groups who want to install renewable energy in their own houses and communities,” says Lazarowicz. “Small scale renewable energy – microgeneration – can make a significant contribution to the UK’s energy needs. It is clear, from the thousands of people who have contacted me during the course of this Bill, that this technology has captured the public’s interest.”

At the moment householders who are interested in installing solar panels or small wind turbines have to face a barrage of complex planning procedures, and the hassle and expense is enough to put off all but the most determined applicants. This new law should change that situation and make it both easier and more financially viable for householders and businesses across the land to get involved in their own small-scale energy generation.

Those who have already put up their solar panels might want to enter their details on a newly-launched website, TheRenewablePlanet.com – a Google Earth-imaged database of projects around the world. At the moment the listed projects are pretty much all in Canada and the US, so it’s time for Europe and other parts of the world to upload their details. The idea is that you can compare notes with other projects and seek out the best ideas and solutions. Hasta la revolucion!