A new study indicates that Cornwall’s households lead England in the adoption of green energy practices.
The analysis by iChoosr, an advocate for renewable energy, shows that Cornwall has the highest percentage of households engaged in self-electricity generation or electric vehicle ownership compared to other English regions.
The research examined data on the use of renewable energy, including solar panels, wind turbines, and heat pumps for residential power, as well as the adoption of electric vehicles. It highlighted the leading counties and cities in terms of green energy usage.
Cornwall is notable, with one in seven households installing renewable energy systems. Furthermore, one in six households in Cornwall either utilise a renewable energy source or possess an electric vehicle. Beyond Cornwall, other top contenders include Rutland, Herefordshire, and Cambridgeshire, with each having more than 11% of households employing renewable energy.
The leading green energy counties are:
- Cornwall
- Rutland
- Herefordshire
- Cambridgeshire
- Somerset
iChoosr’s Solar Together programme, in partnership with local authorities, has significantly impacted the UK. It has led to the installation of over 27,500 solar panels, potentially reducing carbon emissions by 560,000 tonnes in the next 25 years.
Specifically, in Cambridgeshire, Solar Together is responsible for 23% of all MCS-accredited solar panel installations, anticipated to cut down over 48,500 tonnes of CO2 emissions in the next quarter-century, promoting the county’s shift towards green energy.
Cambridge resident and Solar Together client, Anil Chhabra, shared his positive experience with his solar panels, saying, “I’m very pleased with them. And they’re helping me in two ways. One is they offset my energy costs, making my bills cheaper. But also, I feel I’m doing my bit for the environment. I think the latter is becoming more important.”
Winchester, where Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was educated, ranks as the top city for green living in England. In Winchester, more than 17% of households have adopted electric cars or renewable energy solutions in their homes.
The research also underscores a distinct divide between the North and South of England. No northern or Midlands city appears in the top five for green energy usage. Larger cities like London and Birmingham have high numbers but lower percentages of households switching to renewable energy.
The cities leading in green energy adoption are:
- Winchester
- Peterborough
- Chichester
- Colchester
- Cambridge
George Frost, the UK Country Manager for iChoosr, remarked: “Higher household energy bills and growing desires for more sustainable lifestyle options mean rising numbers of UK households are turning to renewable and energy-efficient ways to power their homes. The days of renewable solutions being inaccessible and unaffordable are gone. Through new partnerships and initiatives, there are an increasing number of options that enable households to easily make the switch to renewable energy sources – and all the benefits that they bring.”
