The aim is to provide reliable and useful information in small supportive groups for people who are concerned about climate change to help them examine ways in which they might reduce their carbon footprint.

This is what a participant on the first Salisbury course had to say-  ”Most inspiring was sharing curiosity, discovering information from each other and then  encouraging others to make changes -and receive support to make ones own changes.  It was the ‘togetherness’ that made all sessions so valuable”.

The course consists of six two hour sessions, which take place once a fortnight, on home energy, travel and transport, food and water and consumption and waste.

It is based on a course handbook, which is packed with useful information.   Methods consist of exercises in pairs, group discussion, board games, short talks and practical tasks based on participants’ own lifestyle.

  For further information go to:

  www.cambridgecarbonfootprint.org.uk/action/carbon- conversations

  For information about courses in Salisbury email: southwiltsaction21@gmail.com

A power station on the roof

Find out all about it; from fitting solar thermal panels to photovoltaics for power generation. 

What does it cost, what are Feed-in tariffs (FITs), how much power can I generate and what is the pay-back time?  This is the story of one Salisbury couple’s personal experience.

“It was a long and dark December, from the rooftops I remember there was snow, white snow………”

Yes (with apologies to Coldplay), when it snowed, the sun could not penetrate the thick white layer until Jimmy wielded a long-handled brush and removed it!  From dark and dismal December when solar generation was at the annual minimum of 35 units for the month (see graph below) we seem to have turned the corner of winter and January has been much brighter.   However the potential for winter generation when the weather is clear and sunny was demonstrated by the only 3 dawn to dusk sunny days in December when we generated 5 units on each day and Sunday 30^th January when 6 units were produced.

We took our first steps into harnessing the sun’s power by installing 3 panels to provide hot water in  summer 2005.  Since then we have not used any gas for water heating in the summer months and it provides a useful supplement even in the winter when the water temperature often gets to over 40°C on a sunny day.  Taking it one stage further, we had solar photovoltaic (PV) panels fitted to the roof in late January 2010 and so have recently completed the first year of electricity generation.  We took the decision in late 2009 when grants of up to £2500 were still available and obtained 3 quotes for the installation, all of which were within £100 of each other, giving us confidence that we would be paying the going rate, and chose Ecofirst (www.ecofirst.net), a company based in Yeovil, to do the job.  We have a semi-detached 4-bedroomed 1950s house with a large roof area facing south in the ideal position and angle to get the maximum benefit from the sun. Installation took 3 days and commissioning another few hours on another day and then we were off.  

The system has 9 roof panels, an AC/DC inverter in the loft and a generation meter in the understairs cupboard where the electricity and gas meters are also housed.  (Technical details at the end for those who are interested).  The wiring was fitted neatly down a wall and skirting board in white trunking.  Scaffolding was necessary as the house has 2 storeys.    

Pre-installation with 3 solar thermal panels

Completed-3 solar thermal and 9 PV panels

The introduction of Feed-In Tariff (FIT) payments in April 2010 as well as the grant of £2500 has made it very cost effective even though the initial outlay of just over £10k seemed a lot of money to pay out.  FIT payments of 41.3p per kWh (1kWh=1 unit) plus an extra 3p for exported units are more generous than anticipated when the payback time for our system was estimated.  Up to early December  we had received £617 and will receive approximately another £35 for the remaining months.  Since the FIT was only available from April 2010 this is not as much as we would receive in a full year which would be over £700 for the total generated this year.  This represents a tax free return on the initial investment of almost 7% per year, and the payback time is likely to be about 14 years.  However, this excludes the reduction in electricity usage when running appliances while the system is generating, the grant we received and the annual increase in FIT so the actual payback time for us might be less than 10 years.  The FIT is guaranteed for 25 years and from April 2011 the rate will increase in line with inflation, but the initial rate for new systems installed after 1^st April 2012 will decrease, and in subsequent years decrease further so the time to get started is now! On a sunny day, we find that the system will support the use of most appliances in use during the day (fridge/freezer, computer, battery/phone/ipod/toothbrush charging) as well as those drawing a heavier current (washing machine and  dishwasher, but not at the same time).  Things that create a lot of heat like kettles, irons and hair dryers draw too much current to be completely run on solar but it contributes to the total used.  A slow cooker allows you to cook an evening meal while generating.  Any units generated that we don’t use get exported to the National Grid.  It’s much more efficient to use the electricity generated on site if possible so where possible we wait for a sunny day to do the washing and dishwashing. In the summer months, if our solar thermal panels haven’t warmed the water enough during the day, we top up with an immersion heater before the PV panels stop generating.  It’s too early to quantify how much electricity we have saved as our meter was replaced in October.  When we have more information on this we will update this article.

 Photovoltaics, Bikeabiltiy, School vegetable gardens, Fairtrade Diocese, community orchards and more……

Read about them and how we plan to build on these in 2011.

                                              1. Local people take up new Clean Energy cash- back scheme & feed-in tariffs for PV solar panels.

Anyone planning to take this up needs to act sooner rather than later to get the full benefit, the rate will fall year on year from April 2012.  If sufficient numbers install PV in one area a discount can be earned.

 Watch this space for full details of one couple’s experience of going solar – coming shortly. 

 2011 – aim to get 100 local clean energy generators and earn a discount.

 2. Wiltshire Council.  Wiltshire signed up to 10:10, a commitment to reduce carbon emissions by 10% in 2010.   What they say: “Over the course of the next two years, we will develop and implement a climate change action plan.  The action plan will address energy reduction across all areas of the wider community and our own estate.”

2011 – ensure a greater level of commitment through the developing Parish Plans.

 3. Say No to Plastic Bags WE DID!  SCRAP’s shop survey in the city  found that most retailers are interested in reducing their plastic bag use by asking customers if they need a bag rather than automatically giving them one, using biodegradable bags or charging for bags.

2011 -The environmental concern is evident; can we translate this into a strong commitment to make Salisbury PBF?

4. Fairtrade Diocese.  In April 2010 the Diocese of Salisbury was recognised as a Fairtrade Diocese, marking the commitment of over half of parishes in the Diocese to using and promoting Fairtrade products.

 2011- can we persuade Wiltshire to become a Fairtrade County?

5. River Bourne Community Farm goes from strength to strength with sustainable, traditional farming on our doorstep and extensive community involvement.

2011- add to Salisbury’s network of natural green spaces and wildlife corridors.  Set up a Salisbury Greenspace Alliance to co-ordinate management for the benefit of wildlife and people.

6. Local Food.  Growing interest in allotments, community gardens and orchards.  River Bourne Community Farm sells eggs and meat from the farm, Martin Future Farms opens a shop in the village, Tisbury Community Allotment makes a profit, and Downton holds an Apple Day.

 2011- Community Orchards to be planted in Salisbury’s Parks, firstly in Fisherton and Bishopdown.  If successful these will be followed by other areas throughout the city.

7. Cycling.  100s of children in Salisbury and the surrounding area receive level 3 Bikeability training.

 2011 -  achieve first steps towards Connect 2 cycle link between Wilton and Alderbury. 

8. Schools.  More schools develop outdoor classrooms with ponds, native hedges, wildflower meadows and vegetable gardens.  Children grow their own vegetables, learn about composting and harvest their produce for school dinners.

2011- increase the number of Eco-schools in South Wiltshire, acheive more  safe routes to school for walking and cycling and encourage energy saving through the WC Climate Change Schools officer.

9. Launch of Green Café and Green Drinks. This initiative, started in October, has brought more of those interested in ‘green’ issues together for informal discussion.  Go to ‘Events and Meetings’ for future dates.

10.  Membership.  SWA21 membership reached 100 individuals and organisations.

2011 –aim to attract more young people.

If you know of other good things that have, or are happening why not send them in via our contact address.  They can then be posted on the website and more people can hear about them.

Climate Change – should we be worried?

SCCAP meeting 21.6.2010

The next full meeting of the Salisbury City Community Area Partnership – which will also be the AGM for the Partnership – takes Climate Change as its theme.

The meeting will be held at the newly refurbished Quaker Meeting House on Wilton Road on Monday 21st June, 7 – 9 pm.

There will be speakers from Wiltshire Council and South Wiltshire Agenda 21 as well as displays and information.

Admission free – all welcome

 
 International concern about climate change is rising, and although countless reports demonstrate the scale of the problem at the global and regional levels, the voices of men and women on the ‘frontline’ of climate change are heard less often.
Joining with four other development charities, Self Help Africa has produced a report called Climate Frontline which allows these voices to be heard directly.
In the report, vulnerable men and women describe, in their own words, how climate change is affecting them, and how they are doing their best to adapt by building on local knowledge and diversifying their livelihoods.
Climate Frontline is intended as a contribution to the ongoing discussions in advance of the Copenhagen summit on climate change next month in the hope that sufficient and reliable support will be provided for vulnerable communities.

To read or download the report visit www.climatefrontlineafrica.org

Or watch the climate frontline video.

Or request your own copy here.