There are many different types of renewable energy. Most, but not all, are eligible either for the FITs or for the Renewable Heat Incentive.
Renewables covers a very broad range of energy production technologies that are suitable for virtually any type of property – homes, offices, industrial units, schools, hospitals, and so on.
These can be grouped into three categories:
Some only generate electricity
- Solar photovoltaics
- Wind turbines
- Hydro power
- Wave and tidal power (but these are not eligible for the Feed-in Tariffs)
Some only produce heat
(so are covered by the Renewable Heat Incentive, not the Feed-in Tariffs)
- Solar heating
- Heat pumps
- Geothermal energy
While those which produce or burn fuel can do either or both
Producing heat and electricity together is call Combined Heat and Power (CHP)
- Anaerobic digestion
- Biomass (sadly not eligible for the Feed-in Tariffs)
In fact anaerobic digestion (AD) produces biogas which can be used for electricity generation, heat production, combined heat and power or even be fed into the natural gas grid.
Factors to consider when selecting a renewable energy technology
There are many factors to consider when choosing which renewable energies will suit your property and requirements.
The main factors for FITs-eligible renewable technologies are discussed here.