Jan 30 2004
The Energy Saving Trust today welcomed the Mayor of London’s latest move to make London a greener place to live and work. Ken Livingstone’s installation of solar photovoltaic (PV) panels on his home will enable him to generate clean, renewable electricity and prevent up to half a ton of carbon dioxide being emitted into the environment each year.
Solar photovoltaic systems are panels or modules of silicon cells, usually installed on the roof, which convert light into electricity.
Ken’s own solar installation comes as his Draft Energy Strategy calls for London’s homebuilders, businesses and homeowners to install solar power. The Mayor’s strategy outlines targets for 10,000 domestic photovoltaic schemes and 100 installations on commercial and public buildings. Planning applications referred to the Mayor must also include passive solar design.
Philip Sellwood, Chief Executive of the Energy Saving Trust, welcomed Ken’s personal and political contribution to helping the UK meet Energy White Paper aspirations of 60 percent cuts in carbon dioxide emissions by 2050.
Photovoltaic systems are non-polluting energy sources, which generate electricity from the free and inexhaustible energy from the sun. Even on cloudy days, energy can still be generated. For every year a system operates, one tonne of carbon dioxide emissions is saved. Each domestic installation contributes to the Government’s aim of generating 10 per cent of the UK’s electricity needs from renewable sources by 2010.
Source: Energy Saving Trust