OUR politicians still believe they can achieve their unrealistic renewable energy targets, but the Royal Academy of Engineering has now concluded that small wind turbines on the roofs of houses and offices are a waste of money. And the same applies to solar panels.

The Professor of Building Engineering at Bath University, Doug King, says that most roof-mounted wind turbines only generate about £26-worth of electricity a year. They cost about £1,500 or more, but many actually consume more electricity than they produce.

The reason is that their control systems use electricity taken from the grid when wind speeds are low.

Prof King said that the turbines and solar panels do almost nothing to reduce Britain’s carbon dioxide emissions. All they do is clutter up the roof and maybe impress the neighbours.

Jim Allan, Hartlepool