A simple and inexpensive device has just been launched that measures the amount of solar power and wind energy (PDF) that could be generated by home owners and businesses.

Called the Power Predictor, the device forecasts how long it takes to recover the costs of installing renewable energy equipment. It also recommends the most cost-effective form of renewable energy and the most appropriate equipment manufacturers.

“For most people, micro power generation is a step into the unknown,” said Toby Hammond, inventor of the Power Predictor and managing director of Better Generation. “No one should spend thousands of pounds on renewable energy equipment without knowing the payback time based on the amount of energy they could generate at their premises.”

The Power Predictor takes the guesswork out of micro generation because it is based on site-specific data that shows just how much can really be saved rather than on modelled data, which is considered by many to be highly inaccurate.

The Power Predictor will sell for £99.95 with trade prices available on application.

The device was borne out of growing interest in the generation of alternative renewable energy as a means of reducing CO2 emissions. Until now, there has been no single device capable of measuring how much solar and wind
energy a particular site can generate, as well as providing a report reviewing the most suitable products available, how to buy them, what the payback time will be and what carbon savings can be achieved.

As a result, many people in the past have bought expensive equipment only to find it has not been as efficient as
expected or that an alternative product should have been used. Better Generation says the Power Predictor will remove this obstacle and act as an enabling technology to help encourage the take up of renewable energy on a mass scale both in the UK and abroad.

• In clean energy, the ‘growing’ outweighs the ‘pain’
• 4 US firms honored for making it easier to buy green energy
• GE opens new US center to speed delivery of clean-energy parts
• Maui residents get ready to hit the smart-grid highway
• Small Danish island could help launch smart-grid revolution
• More turbines, more wind, more rain boost UK clean energy
• Austin on track to be 30% renewably powered by 2012
• Siemens creates new units for wind, solar/hydro power
• Smart-grid software firm wins $2m in stimulus funds
• Study aims to link wind & solar power, cloud computing