A postcode in Glasgow is the top mainland spot for small-scale renewables in Scotland, new figures have revealed.
Scottish Renewables said the 2014 Commonwealth Games have made the G40 postcode in the city’s East End a hotspot.
It comes as the body revealed the latest figures for how the sector fares in the country.
Around 42,000 solar schemes, 2,557 small wind projects, 204 hydro-electric schemes are amongst some of the renewable methods being used to power homes.
However Scottish Renewables said new small renewables projects could face an uncertain future with the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) set to report on expected cuts next month,
as well as a review of the Feed-in-Tariff, through which they are started expected to begin in days.
Stephanie Clark, policy manager at Scottish Renewables, said: “Last month the industry heard major changes were planned for the FiT scheme – changes which would make many projects unviable.
“Today is the closing date for a consultation on the first stage of those changes, but within the next month we’re expecting further cost-cutting proposals to be announced.
“The figures released today demonstrate the extent of our love affair with small-scale renewables, but the current level of change and uncertainty is already punishing the sector.
“Without the FiT scheme thousands of homes and businesses would not have access to the affordable, clean electricity which has allowed them to stabilise their energy bills while reducing the amount of carbon emitted because of their energy use.
“Small-scale renewables can continue to thrive in the UK, but the sector urgently needs confirmation that it has the backing of the Government.”
Data also showed Inverurie in Aberdeenshire is Scotland’s solar capital with the town’s AB51 postcode boasting about 10,000 250W solar panels – more than any other region in Scotland.
Glasgow was also shown to have 35% more small-scale renewables per capita than England and Wales and has almost eight times as much small-scale wind.
The Isle of Jura – which is home to one of the largest privately-owned hydro stations in the UK – has the highest amount of small-scale renewable energy capacity of any postcode region.
Small-scale electricity-generating renewables are generally defined as those eligible to claim the UK Government’s Feed-in Tariff. They typically provide enough power for a home or business, but can be as large as 5MW – the equivalent of a hydroelectric scheme which can power around 3,400 homes.
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