Shining light: John Pagani’s solar panels heat his home and provide energy to the National Grid
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Contributing to a greener energy system is a smart move, and easier than you think – plus, you could save a bit of money
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Go Green and Smile
ll eyes will be on Scotland next month as world
leaders converge on Glasgow for Cop26, the UN
climate summit and crunch time for the planet. The stakes are higher than ever. The latest report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change in August made for sobering reading – only drastic reductions in greenhouse gases this decade can prevent climate breakdown.
While governments debate new policy measures to decarbonise economies across the globe, individuals can do their bit too. Around 20 per cent of UK carbon emissions are created by heated buildings*. Contributing to a greener energy system at home will help reduce your carbon footprint and could also make it easier to save money on your energy bills.
Just ask John Pagani, who reached out to his local Home Energy Scotland advice centre eight years ago for guidance on how he could make a difference. He built the four-bedroom house he shares with his husband in Dumfries and Galloway and soon realised the cost of running a large property on oil and gas would add up. At the time, the Scottish government offered grants for solar panels. “It was fairly early on, so we got a good rate per kilowatt,” he says.
“The trees around us meant we needed a specific type of solar panel. It cost us about £15,000 and we got nearly all of that back in subsidies.”
Next, the couple installed a biomass wood pellet boiler. “When our old boiler packed in, we started looking at our options. Biomass boilers are ultra-low carbon and we got it for free, as the guys fitting it get incentive payments. It was a win-win. We were doing something for the environment and getting a new boiler for nothing.”
They supplemented this with two thermal solar panels for hot water, which have significantly reduced their home’s carbon footprint. “Our children visit during the holidays, but it’s mainly just us, so we don’t use a lot of hot water. The solar panels have really helped. You can have a hot shower with virtually no assistance from the boiler.” At a time of soaring gas prices, this is good news.
To ensure the house retains as much heat as possible, John improved external wall and loft insulation, switched to low-energy lighting, got double glazing and ensured all his appliances were A-rated.
John points out that the aesthetic of your house isn’t affected negatively by these green benefits. “I think it’s widely viewed that many green measures are only suitable for new builds or modern homes. Most of the measures we’ve taken were retrofitted and haven’t affected the aesthetics of the home. I think people feel retrofitting will look ugly, but the ‘look’ of retrofitted measures have increased dramatically.”
John sees getting a smart meter, which people can get from their energy supplier at no extra cost, as a game-changer. “It’s a vital part of upgrading the outdated energy system and it helps us see how much electricity we’re using at any one time and sends that information to our provider. With that information, they can draw on some of the energy we generate, either from our solar panels or even the battery from our EV, for use at peak times. It also tells us our daily usage as well as monthly, and how much is used throughout the year. This information helps us pinpoint where we’re using our electricity most, in effect reducing our energy waste.”
John and his brother – who co-own The Cafe Royal, in Annan – recently traded in their petrol cars for Teslas. “We get big tax bills every year. Buying Teslas qualified us for £25,000 tax relief. The Scottish government also gave us an interest-free loan for the first £40,000 of each car. So the monthly payments are pretty much the same as they were for the secondhand BMW I had. On a sunny day, I charge my car from solar panels and that’s enough to drive round all day.”
He even occasionally uses the Tesla for fish and chip deliveries, and the company has invested in a second EV. “The Tesla gets an amazing response from children. They see it on YouTube and love it.” It’s a far cry from the days when a green lifestyle was associated with lentils and sandals. “Oh, definitely,” laughs John. “There’s major kudos associated with it now. I believe the more people see it in action and in the media, the more people will show interest and, hopefully, adopt them.”
John believes we’re still at the stage of a “passionate minority” that are taking the government up on these green incentives. “But the time to act is now. We have a responsibility as individuals, as well as companies, to do as much as we can. I’ve gone from saying ‘This was something that’s right for us’ to ‘It’s what everyone should be doing’.
“If we all did a little bit, like having a smart meter installed, the effect would be massive.”
*National Grid
Plugged in: smart technology in John's home means energy can be drawn from solar panels – and even the battery of his Tesla – if needed at peak times
Solar panels really helped. You can have a hot shower with virtually no assistance from the boiler
Join the energy revolution and contact your energy supplier to request a smart meter. For more information, visit smartenergygb.org
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Photography: Murdo Macleod for Bridge Studio