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SPOTLIGHT on INSURANCE
WHY SOLAR ENERGY MAKES SENSE FOR YOUR HOME Renewable energy sources, such as solar energy, are increasingly being favoured by homeowners over fossil fuels. There are numerous practical, economic and environmental benefits to utilising solar energy in your home. This article will outline the practical requirements of installing solar technology in your home, as well as highlighting the many benefits associated with solar energy. • Solar energy is renewable and takes advantage of the consistent power of the Sun, which we do not have to worry about using up. • Unlike fossil fuels, solar energy does not release harmful gases into the air, meaning it is an environmentally friendly choice. • You will have to pay an initial cost for the installation of the solar panels. • You will need to check that your roof is strong enough to support solar panels. • The roof or wall that you plan to place the solar panels on should face within ninety degrees of south, and shouldn’t be obstructed by trees or buildings if possible. • You will not be required to connect to the power grid, meaning you can be self-sufficient and not have to pay monthly fuel bills. • You will be able to store electricity in batteries to use as and when you need it. • Solar panels have no moving parts and so often require little or even no maintenance. • Solar panels make no noise when collecting energy. • If you build a large enough solar energy system, you could sell power to the national grid by producing excess electricity and making your meter spin backwards. • Check whether you need planning permission to install solar panels. In England and Scotland, planning permission for home electricity systems is not required as long as the solar panels are below a certain size.
NEWS IN BRIEF A million journeys for Beryl bikes and scooters In just three years, a total of one million journeys have been made by users of Beryl bikes and scooters. The journeys equate to a total distance of over 3.8million kilometres, the equivalent of nearly 95 journeys around the Earth. Feedback shows that over a quarter of bike and e-scooter journeys in BCP Council area have replaced road transport journeys. This means almost 138 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions have been saved; the equivalent of around 9,208.707 boiled kettles or more than 807 flights from London to Edinburgh. New appointment for chamber Paul Taylor, who spent more than 30 years in the automotive sector across Dorset, was so impressed with seeing Dorset Chamber’s team in action that he decided to join them. He is now in the driving seat at the chamber after becoming its newly appointed business development executive. Volunteers needed Julia’s House, the Dorset and Wiltshire Children’s Hospice charity is seeking volunteers to help out at its high street shops in Poole, Broadstone and Bransgore. Contact: Volunteer@juliashouse.org or pop into their local shop for more information.
Virtual reality environment to keep children safe A new interactive learning platform will help keep children safe. The classroom-based programme is called Skill City and was developed by 360 Skills For Life, thanks to a £50,000 grant from the Talbot Village Trust. It is a high-quality virtual reality environment which is used to address safeguarding issues for Year 6 to Year 9 pupils (10-14 year olds). There are up to 18 age-appropriate safeguarding dilemmas available for teachers to select for students to experience either as a class or in groups. Within different virtual environments – including streets, crossings, parks, shops, police and railway stations – schoolchildren can play out scenarios, assess risks and investigate options. The objective is for pupils to develop transferable skills for every scenario in order to make confident decisions to keep themselves and others safe in real life. Founder and managing director of 360 Life Skills, Rob Hattersley, said: “Safeguarding children is a matter of huge concern in schools and society generally, especially during the pandemic. Schools and agencies are doing so much in terms of improving processes, but there is an opportunity to use the classroom itself to raise awareness and confidence in children for keeping themselves safe.” Phase one is now live, with a limited number of fully funded places for both primary and secondary schools across BCP and Dorset council areas. Schools interested in applying are encouraged to get in touch through the website www.360skillsforlife.org
• Your energy bills should be reduced as you will not be paying monthly bills to a power company. • Solar energy systems are constantly improving, and you can even make your own solar panels. Simon Godding, Agent, NFU Mutual Wessex Protect your home with NFU Mutual Insurance NFU Mutual Wessex, 10 & 12, Leanne Business Centre, Sandford Lane, Wareham, BH20 4DX | 01929 448643
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DORSET VIEW August 2022
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