Green energy for all

Power to the people

Solar water heaters will typically save you about £40 a year. And the average solar electricity installation can save up to £200 on your annual electricity bill. Never mind the CO2 you’ll save which is likely to be well over 1 tonne.

That’s one of the best arguments we can think of for giving as many people as possible low cost loans so they have the chance to make their own clean, renewable energy. And it’s no pipe dream. Homes in Kirklees, West Yorkshire now generate an astonishing 5% of the UK's total solar energy thanks to the actions of their Green Party councillors.

We believe it’s time other local councils took the lead in combating climate change too. And what better place to start than the buildings they own and control?

We believe these should all be equipped with solar water heating, solar electricity, wind generators – or all three.

Again, if Kirklees Council can do it, every Council can (with a few Green councillors to prod them along!). New residential homes and schools there already incorporate wind turbines and solar panels and by 2011 at least 30% of energy consumption in Kirklees will be renewably sourced from solar, wind and biomass boiler plants.

It may not always be easy being green but it’s a lot easier if you have Green Party councillors on your side.

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