A new report from the Renewables Advisory Board (RAB) has provided the government with the first ever in-depth analysis of on-site energy generation.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown has set a target of making all new homes zero carbon by 2016, but details on how to achieve that goal have been in short supply and analysts have until now been forced to speculate over the viability of the proposals.

Thanks to the new report, however, environmental and construction groups now have a clearer picture of how to fulfil the ambitious green homes policy.

The findings suggest that on-site renewable energy will only become a significant market - worth up to £3 billion - once we reach 2016 and until then the emphasis should be focused on building homes to the very highest levels of energy efficiency.

That strategy will rely on heavy implementation of heat-trapping devices such as double glazing, roof insulation and wall cavity insulation in order to minimise the impact of the short-term necessity of fossil fuel consumption.

Concluding the report, Matthew Spencer, chair of the RAB microgeneration working group said: "The zero carbon policy is long-sighted and bold, and could produce big environmental benefits in existing and new homes."

© Adfero Ltd

Author:  Joanne McCabe

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