Every planning authority in the country is now pushing developers to meet the 'Merton Rule' or the '10% Rule' for on-site renewable energy. Chances are, this rule will be enforced more strictly and ratchet up as years go by. It's hard to know which technologies to use, though, or how much the renewable energy will cost.

Even worse, most sources of advice have an axe to grind: either manufacturers recommend only their own equipment, or consultants just tell you to use what they used on their last job. Even government advice may be coloured by prejudice, and the published cost estimates are almost always lower than true construction costs.

CAR can provide truly independent advice about how to meet planning requirements for on-site renewables. We understand the pressures on developers, and we can prepare the Renewable Energy Statements planners want to see.

CAR is currently working with BRE and others on 'Climate Lite' - a new computerised tool allowing designers to model CO2 emissions at an early stage, and then work out the best way to meet planning requirements from renewables.

[Contact: Jason Palmer]

[Contact: Andy Brown]

[Back to Design for Sustainability]