Recent Press | MCS Installer Directory

Feed in Tariffs to change from August 1st

2012-05-24T18:52:17+01:00

The DECC has today introduced regulations to put the Feed in Tariffs on a more "predictable and certain" footing for both consumers and Solar PV Installers.

This announcement follows the recent consultation on the Feed in Tariff changes and the changes are due to come into effect on August 1st 2012.

Energy and Climate Change Minister Greg Barker said: “Today starts a new and exciting chapter for the solar industry. The sector has been through a difficult time, adjusting to the reality of sharply falling costs, but the reforms we are introducing today provide a strong, sustainable foundation for growth for the solar sector.

Changes Include

Tariffs for solar pv installations to be reduced from 1 August:

16p/kWh for household scale solar pv installations to reflect fall in cost of the technology, delivering a return of about 6% for a typical installation.
Tariffs for larger installations also to be reduced to reflect cost reductions but with most tariff cuts lower than proposed in February.
Reductions to apply to new installations from 1 August, instead of 1 July as proposed, in recognition of low uptake from 1 April and providing time for industry to adapt.

Multi installation tariff increased to 90% of standard tariff

Organisations with more than 25 solar pv installations will get 90% of the standard applicable tariff, increased from 80%, reflecting new evidence on costs involved for these projects.

Reduction in tariffs over time in line with uptake of FITs scheme

Ensuring solar PV is not over subsidised.
Average tariff reductions of 3.5% every 3 months, reductions will be bigger (up to 28%) if there is rapid uptake.
Tariff cuts will be skipped (for up to 2 quarters) if uptake is low.
Uptake in 3 different bands (domestic (size 0-10kW), small commercial (10-50kW) and large commercial (above 50kW and standalone installations) will determine the quarterly reductions within those bands.

Increase export tariff from 3.2p to 4.5p/kWh

To better reflect the real value of electricity exported to the grid.

RPI index-linking of generation tariffs to be retained

Reflecting the high value investors place on this element of the FITs scheme.

Scheme lifetime reduced from 25 to 20 years for new solar installations

Reducing the lifetime costs of the scheme and bring solar in line with most other technologies supported under FITs.

Tariffs for installations which do not meet the energy efficiency requirements will mirror the tariffs for standalone installations

Ensuring energy efficiency is still encouraged as tariffs are reduced.

DECC Press

http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/news/pn12_066/pn12_066.aspx

Consultation Response

http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/consultations/fits_rev_ph2a/fits_rev_ph2a.aspx

William Hague pushing for "Greenest Government ever"

2012-05-23T19:10:05+01:00

William Hague has warned cabinet ministers that the UK needs to show greater commitment to the low carbon economy in a leaked letter obtained by the Guardian.

In the letter, the Mr Hague insists that Government should be more pro-active in helping boost the green economy for fear of falling behind other green-focused economies, such as Germany and China.

Mr Hague believes that senior ministers are failing to acknowledge the key benefits of a green economy, chiefly: reducing exposure to volatile energy prices; revitalising manufacturing based in low carbon sectors; modernising infrastructure and reducing utility bills by cutting energy use.

In the letter William Hague says "I believe we should reframe our response to climate change as an imperative for growth rather than merely being a way of being green or meeting environmental commitments.”

Feed in Tariff cuts delayed until August 1st

2012-05-21T18:32:03+01:00

The Solar Trade Association has notified members, it expects the Feed in Tariff cut to be delayed until August 1st. Greg Barker, the Energy and Climate Change Secretary had confirmed the government were planning to delay the proposed July cuts to the Feed in Tariffs last week, but with no confirmed date.

Feed in Tariff cut to be delayed

2012-05-17T18:14:15+01:00

Greg Barker, the Energy and Climate Change Secretary has confirmed via twitter that the government may be planning to delay the propsed July cuts to the Feed in Tariffs.

During the energy and climate change questions in the commons, Energy Secretary Ed Davey responded to questioning from Caroline Flint "the Government is considering tweaking the start date for the next reduction in feed in tariffs, Energy and Climate Change Secretary Edward Davey has said, insisting there would be no massive change".

Mr Davey refused to be drawn on whether a potential delay was because the government had missed the legal deadline for notifying Parliament 40 days prior to introducing the cuts, adding "we will abide by all procedures and will lay regulations when required".

Caroline Lucas to step down as head of Green Party

2012-05-14T15:22:52+01:00

Caroline Lucas, the leader of the Green Party has announced that she will not be seeking re-election after the end of her second term.

Caroline Lucas commented "I'm hugely honoured to have served as the first Leader of the Green Party and I'm proud that during the four years of my term, we've moved Green politics forward to a higher level, with the Party by far the most influential it has ever been.

"We've seen significant breakthroughs, not only in Brighton & Hove, with our first seat at Westminster and our first ever local council, but nationally, with further breakthroughs onto new Councils in the recent local elections, which were among the most successful we've ever had, as well as establishing ourselves as the third party, ahead of the Lib Dems, in the elections for London Mayor.

"I look forward to continuing to do all I can in my very demanding role as the MP for Brighton Pavilion, representing and helping my constituents in Brighton and defending them against the Coalition Government's disastrous economic policies and its refusal to accept its environmental and social responsibilities.

"I will now also be able to work more on the political frontline, putting the Green case for change in Parliament and in all circles of national political debate."

Solar PV industry urges David Cameron to scrap July Feed in Tariff cuts

2012-05-14T13:36:15+01:00

High level executives from more than 400 solar pv installation companies have written to the Prime Minister urging him to halt the planned cut to the Feed in Tariffs in July.

In the letter, Howard Johns, spokesperson for the Cut Don’t Kill Campaign, challenges the depth and speed of “significant” March 3 Feed in Tariff cuts, which saw rates slashed by more than 50 percent.

The letter criticises the Department of Energy and Climate Change’s (DECC) handling of the cut, stating: “DECC’s track-record since October includes one illegal cut, two appeals to the courts, three consultations and two Feed in Tariff scheme changes following shortened consultations.”

Feed in Tariff returns back to 12.5%

2012-05-14T13:31:00+01:00

Tax-free returns nearing 10 per cent a year from solar pv subsidies can be achieved again, thanks to a dramatic drop in the price of installations – and even supermarket giant Tesco is getting in on the act.

Time looked to have been called on the solar pv goldrush, when the Government slashed the Feed in Tariffs by more than half late last year. But now specialists say that returns are once again challenging previous levels.

Those interested will have to act fast: the Feed in Tariffs are set to be cut again from 1 July and homeowners may only have a few weeks left to book installations to meet this deadline.

Tesco Home Efficiency has cut 20 per cent off it solar panels and says that a 3.92KWp system would cost £6,799 – Energy Saving Trust projections give an annual total return of £851 for this larger system, delivering a potential tax-free return of 12.5 per cent.

Read more: http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/mortgageshome/article-2142969/Solar-panel-Feed-Tariff-returns-rise-12-5-Tesco-wades-prices-tumble.html#ixzz1upZCxgNv

Queen's Speech targets electricity market

2012-05-14T13:22:27+01:00

On 9th May, The Queen's Speech set out the government's legislative plans for the next year.

The Queen's Speech included reforms to the electricity market to encourage more investment in low carbon generation and clean energy. It also included more restrictions on the emissions of new coal plants and creates a new independent regulator, the Office for Nuclear Regulation, funded by the industry. The Bill will affect England and Wales with the majority of proposals also applying to Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Largest onshore Wind Turbine farm receives consent

2012-05-14T13:18:30+01:00

Consent has been granted for what's claimed will become the 'highest generating capacity' onshore Wind Turbine farm anywhere in England and Wales. Consisting of 76 Wind Turbines and scheduled to generate enough electricity to power the equivalent of up to 206,000 homes a year, the newly approved farm is the Pen Y Cymoedd 299MW development, located between Neath and Aberdare in South Wales.

1,180 Solar PV job losses at Carillion

2012-05-14T13:13:07+01:00

The 1,180 job losses follow Carillion’s announcement last year that it planned to shed 1,500 jobs following the government’s cuts to feed in tariff rates. The job loss total has now been revised to 1,400 with the remaining 220 set to leave Carillion Energy Services this year.

The majority of the job losses so far, approximately 800, have been through voluntary redundancy.

A Carillion spokesman said: “As we have stated before, the energy services business is restructuring in line with changes in market opportunities following the government’s decision to cut feed in tariffs for Solar PV systems, by much more than the industry expected. We anticipate reducing the workforce by around 1,400. This is being phased over a period of time as we fulfil existing business commitments. However, we can confirm that around 1,180 people have now left the business. Of these more than 800 opted for voluntary redundancy as part of the consultation process".

Solar PV firm criticises Feed in Tariff handling

2012-05-14T13:01:05+01:00

From April 1st, the feed in tariffs for Solar PV systems have fallen from 43p/kWh of energy generated, to 21p/kWh. The change has been controversial and saw the government lose a high profile legal case in the high court. Since the cut, solar pv installations have fallen by almost 90 per cent, according to Department of Energy and Climate Change figures, and research from the Cut Don’t Kill Campaign, shows the UK solar pv industry has contracted by 25 per cent in the past nine months, with over 6,000 jobs lost.

Solar firm Sundog Energy, was set up in 1995 – long before the feed in tariffs were introduced. Managing director Bill Roberts has said: “Market confidence has been knocked significantly since the feed-in tariffs were cut. The number of changes that have been made, and the dramatic way in which they have occurred, has understandably resulted in continuing uncertainty.”

Sundog’s prices have been slashed by 40 per cent in the last 12 months as manufacturing capacity outweighs demand. But Mr Roberts says the company’s future continues to look bright.

Tesco launches Solar PV sale

2012-05-14T12:53:05+01:00

As part of its new home efficiency campaign, Tesco is offering 20% off its Solar PV systems, which it says will still benefit from the Government's Feed in Tariff scheme - if installed before the next FIT subsidy reduction on July 1.

According to Tesco, using one of its 3.92kWp Solar PV systems, domestic users could earn up to £706 per year in FIT payments based on the current rate of 21p per kWh.

Solar PV Still Viable

2012-05-10T13:55:28+01:00

The Solar PV industry is launching a campaign to boost awareness that "solar pv still pays" after recent cuts to the feed in tariffs prompted a drop in demand for new Solar PV installations.

The latest figures for Solar PV installations have shown demand has fallen significantly since the government halved the feed in tariffs on 1 April. Installations of 4kW capacity or less now receive 21p/kWh, instead of the 43p/kWh that was available previously.

According to figures from the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC), the number of Solar PV installations rose to 9,026 in the week ending 1st April, as property owners rushed to meet the deadline. Installations then fell dramatically to just 820 the following week and remained low for the rest of April.

David Cameron speaks on Green Energy

2012-04-26T18:24:39+01:00

Sources of Renewable Energy must become "financially sustainable" if they are to meet the world's needs, David Cameron has said.

Mr Cameron was Opening a meeting of international ministers, in which he hailed progress made by the UK in the "green energy revolution". But the Mr Cameron said the challenge now is to drive down costs. He also welcomed the investment of £350 million on energy projects that will create 800 jobs.

Upon taking office in 2010, the Prime Minister pledged to lead the "greenest government ever", but environmental campaigners say that promise is so far proving hollow.

UK in double-dip recession but renewables show high growth

2012-04-25T14:13:01+01:00

The UK economy has returned to recession, official figures have shown today. The economy shrank by 0.2% in the first three months of 2012, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said. This follows a contraction of 0.3% in the last three months of 2011.

The ONS said there was a sharp 3% fall in construction output, the biggest fall for three years, adding that it had double-checked the figures.

This is in stark contrast to a recent report which shows the renewable sector is bucking the trend and showing significant growth, now accounting for 110,000 jobs. The renewables sector grew by 11% between 2009/10 and 2010/11, compared with overall UK growth of just 1.4%. The report also calculates that renewables generated exports of just under £1.6bn in 2010/11, with wind technologies the biggest contributor.

However, Wednesday's UK growth figure is the preliminary estimate from the ONS, based on only about 40% of the information that will be used to reach later figures.

Donald Trump to meet Scottish Government

2012-04-25T13:56:24+01:00

The US Business Tycoon, Donald Trump is to meet the Scottish Government to discuss plans for a £150m offshore wind farm near his new £1bn golf resort in Aberdeenshire. He is giving evidence to the Scottish Parliament's economy committee. The Scottish Government has already said that offshore wind is vital for Scotland's plans to generate 100% of it's electricity via renewable sources by 2020. Mr Trump argues that wind power cannot survive without subsidies, adding that the appearance of turbines will kill off the tourism industry.

The Scottish first minister, Alex Salmond, has told the tycoon that offshore wind was worth £30bn of investment to Scotland, and could create up to 28,000 Scottish jobs.