The winds of change are sweeping the Island as the message of sustainable development gathers momentum.

With the price of oil at a premium, it seems residents are becoming more aware that we can ill-afford to be chained to a global reliance on fossil fuels.

Situated in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, Bermuda's remote geography also makes it vulnerable to an uncertain future in terms of imported goods and energy sources.

Two families are now taking the initiative by installing green micro-technologies in their homes. Planning officers have given the go-ahead to wind turbines and solar panels at two properties on the Island.

Although both have a trial period of one year — after which Planning officers will review the installations — there were no objections to either of the original applications.

In Paget, an environmentally-savvy family are to install a micro-wind turbine, solar and Photovoltaic (PV) panels at their home in Chapel Lane.

This will consist of three sets of four PV panels, three solar thermal panels and a Whisper 100 turbine.

Elizabeth Caulfield, of agents the Caulfield Partnership, yesterday said that the family got the idea of installing the alternative energy after fixing a wind turbine to the mast of their sailing boat. She said: "It works very well so they wanted to try it out on their own home. They have been interested in installing a turbine and panels for some time now."

The DAB said the PV panels would be "inconspicuous" while solar panels "are becoming more common in the landscape". It added the 7ft 6in high wind turbine "will only be visible from distant views".

PV technology converts sunlight directly into electricity while solar panels harness solar energy. The DAB said: "The intent of the application is to create a self-sufficient electrical supply for the house. Technical officers consider that the site is a good test site for micro-generation by wind turbine in Bermuda."

It has also welcomed the installation of solar panels and a wind turbine at a house and cottage in Hamilton Parish.

Dudley Hollis has gained retroactive permission to install three sets of solar panels and a 7ft high wind turbine in Stardust Drive. Planning officers said vegetation would screen the panels from view, while the turbine would only be seen from the distance at My Lord's Bay.

"Technical officers considered that the site is a good test site for micro-generation by wind turbine in Bermuda," said the DAB.

The installation will also serve as a test site linked to Belco. In the joint-project, the energy company is to connect the PV panels to their system and install metering to monitor the results.

Agent Edwin P. Adderley said: "In addition to providing for the electrical supply needs of Mr. Hollis, the excess power generated will be fed directly into the Belco Power Grid System as part of an experiment to assess the energy production capabilities of such systems.

"If the experiment proves feasible, Belco will consider developing procedures and approvals and standards that would enable small-scale renewables to be introduced without compromising safety and power quality issues."

In approving both Planning applications, the DAB said: "Technical officers are supportive of the use of micro-generation technology at appropriate locations on the Island."

Meanwhile, the Island is to become a pioneer in the preservation of precious water sources. The DAB has approved an installation to demonstrate Bermuda's unique water catchment to the rest of the world.

The Global Arts Foundation is to install the facility at the corner of CedarBridge Lane and Gymnasium Road, Prospect.

It features a water catchment area and a viewing hall over the tank the water pours into.

The "demonstration model of alternative energy sources" is to be powered by PV panels and a 72in-wide Swift wind turbine.

The project originates from a presentation by schoolchildren from Youth News.com to the United Nations International Schools conference last year.

And it is hoped the prototype for collecting rainwater — based on our method of harvesting water from roofs, will now be taken up in developing nations.

Andrew Phillips, CEO of the Global Arts Foundation, said: "The UN is interested and we're hoping to link up with UNICEF.

"The exhibit shows the management of rainwater but also represents the future of energy, through the use of renewable micro-technologies.

"This is an educational exhibit for people on Bermuda and tourists, and also for people visiting from the UN."

Last year the Department of Planning approved a Swift wind turbine at a home in Scott's Hill Road, Somerset, while Belco has also gained the go-ahead for a beta-test site into domestic wind and solar power at a cottage in Warwick.

Last night Andrew Vaucrosson, President of Greenock, said: "Bermuda's dependency on fossil fuels is a social problem and it will take all of us working together to solve it. "But first, we must start 'changing the mindset' in Bermuda towards making sustainable lifestyle choices. "Greenock hopes that these early adopters (of micro-renewables) will become members of Greenock and share with us their experiences with these new installations so that Greenock can act as a repository for any person or entity seeking to do the same."