Householders across Devon are being invited to take part in the biggest ever survey of household renewable energy installations by RE4D - Renewable Energy 4 Devon. The completed surveys will be entered into a prize draw to win a self-catering weekend break for six people in a 5-star eco-friendly cottage.

RE4D, a project funded by Devon County Council, Objective 2 and Devon Renaissance, is conducting the survey to find out how many solar thermal, photovoltaics, biomass, heat pump, small scale wind or hydro systems have been installed in Devon over the last year. The information will be used to measure how individuals and families are reducing Devon's carbon emissions as part of the Council’s aim to make the country greener. The results will contribute towards the county target of generating 151MW of electricity from renewables by 2010.


Surveys need to be completed before 31 January 2008 to be eligible for the draw to win a weekend break at Lower Coombe Royal in the South Hams. The luxury accommodation, which was recently shortlisted for a DEBI sustainable tourism award, received a grant from RE4D to install a biomass boiler. It also has a solar hot water system.

Cllr Humphrey Temperley, executive member for Strategic Planning and Regional Affairs, said: "This is a ground breaking survey and will be helpful in illustrating how consumers view alternative sources of energy and the extent to which they understand them. It will also help us to gain a picture of how individuals are taking action to reduce their carbon emissions and do their bit for climate change."

The competition is open to everyone who has considered fitting a system. Homeowners can visit: http://www.re4d.org/ and fill in the online survey or call 0800 512 012. Feedback is important; even if a system is not fitted as it helps to establish what influences the decisions behind installing renewable energy systems.

(JM)