The Correct Environment

Scotland has tremendous natural resources, and a creativity and ingenuity in its people to make use of them.  Sustainability must be at the heart of everything that we do as we seek to protect a fragile environment threatened by climate change and secure future economic opportunities.

We rely on energy in our everyday lives.  The future of Scotland's energy supplies has now found its inspiration in the weather – renewables, our next generation of energy.  Scotland's abundant renewable resources; wind, wave, tidal, solar, hydro or bio-mass mean that this country could seize the opportunity to become the worlds first renewable energy economy.

How Do We Get Involved?

Scotland has a better solar regime than the south coast of England.  The reason is not a sunnier climate, but because we can make use of the solar energy for heating for more of the year.  This means that solar thermal is more effective here than south of the border.

How Do Solar Systems Work?

Solar thermal technologies actually create energy. Solar systems convert light into heat and, having captured the heat, thermal solar technology deploys the energy in water heating. Solar systems produce hot water without creating carbon dioxide or any other greenhouse gas and create this using scarce fossil fuels and are cost effective.  They work all year round, so that in all forms of daylight there will some contribution from a well-designed thermal solar system.  Direct sunlight is not needed, although solar works more quickly in very strong light.

Photovoltaic PV Solar Electricity

Photovoltaic systems use cells to convert solar radiation into electricity.  Solar Photovoltaic (PV) system means that you can generate your own electricity from the free and inexhaustible energy from the sun.  A photovoltaic system never needs refuelling, emits no pollution, and can be expected to operate for over 30 years while requiring minimal maintenance.  A typical PV system on a house roof could prevent over 34 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions during its lifetime.

How PV Technology Works?

Photovoltaic system uses cells to convert solar radiation into electricity.  The PV cell consists of one or two layers of semi conducting material using silicon when light shines on the cell it creates an electric field across the layers, causing electricity to flow.  The greater the intensity of the light, the greater flow of electricity.