ABSTRACT
Electricity which is produced by a stand-alone system is called ‘embedded’ energy generation. By far the most convenient form of renewable energy which can be linked to housing is PV cells. As unit costs fall PV arrays attached to individual houses will become increasingly evident. In several countries there are substantial state subsidies to kick start the PV industry so that costs can quickly fall due to the economy of scale. One of the pioneer examples of a domestic application in the UK is the Autonomous House by Robert and Brenda Vale in Southwell, Nottinghamshire (Figure 7.1).
