900% increase in UK solar generating capacity

The Guardian's environmental section reported a study into take up of micro generation in the UK had revealed a 900% increase in solar generated capacity, since the feed-in tariffs came into force.

Analysts believe many homeowners waited until the tariffs came into force before planning an installation.

Micro-generation in total has grown by 400% since the tariffs were launched in 2010.

A total of 44,460 separate installations have applied for the tariffs, which help those homeowners and businesses re-coup their instalment investment over a much quicker period than would have normally beed possible.

photo credit: pete

Coventry Cathedral - first to become solar powered

Coventry Cathedral is hoping to install a 50 kilowatt photovoltaic solar panel system on its roof.

The array which would cost around a £100,000 could earn the Cathedral £14,000 a year, thanks to the Governments feed-in tariffs.

When you add the savings expected to be made on the current energy bills, and the tariff's adjustments for inflation, the Cathedral could see a return of over £30,000 a year over the 25 year tariff period.

Apparently, the Cathedral's unusually shallow sloping roof makes it more ideally suited to an installation - the 178 panels will cover approx' 200 square meters of the current roof.

Because the building is grade 1 listed, there's extra planning hurdles to jump yet but the Cathedral's management are confident that they will get the go-ahead.

photo credit: herry lawford

Solar power production triples as more homeowners install solar panels

The Guardian reported some very encouraging figures earlier this week.

Apparently, over 11,000 people, made up of mostly homeowners, installed solar panels during the first 3 months of 2011.

Experts believe the lure of feed-in tariffs has driven the demand, coupled with the fact that more and more people are able to share their experience of solar energy with envious friends and neighbours.

The total amount of installed solar power in the UK has risen by over 50MW since the tariff scheme started. The number of installations currently enjoying the tariff's is 28,505.

Experts predict that eventually, feed-in tariffs will reduce for new subscribers, however, they claim that cheaper manufacture and installation costs should offset any loss on investment to homeowners.

Why not get in now while the tariffs are at their original high levels? Click here to get your free, no obligation instant online solar panel installation quote.

photo credit: sarah

Solar feed-in tariff rates to rise with inflation

Good news for anyone on a solar (photovoltaic) panel feed-in tariff is the news that the Government is to increase the tariff's paid, following increases in the consumer price index.

The new, increased rates will come into effect from April 1st 2011.

The increase should see an average of between £0.015-0.02/kWh of electricity, depending on the size of your solar panel installation.

Solar professionals reckon the tariff increase will help generate interest in solar panel installations as more and more people become aware of the savings and return on investment, solar panels can represent.

Amidst all the recent chatter about possible negative tariff changes (aimed more at commercial, large-scale installations), it's great news to see some positive tariff increases.

Tariff increases? Why not get your instant online solar panel installation quote now - click here.

photo credit: joshberglund19

"A Great choice and thank you for the recommendation"

Solar Panel Quoter - online solar panel quotes works but don't take our word for it. Here's what one delighted homeowner wrote yesterday about his experience of using Solar Panel Quoter...

"A great choice and thank you for the recommendation. Generated 6.7KWh today... and it's only just March!"

As we posted last week, millions in Government solar subsidies is going unclaimed.

Of the £51million allocated by the Government for Feed-in Tariff payments in the first year, only £6.3million has so far been claimed (9 months into the year).

Feed-in Tariff's pay you, the homeowner, a generous subsidy for every kilowatt of electricity you generate, whether you use that energy yourself or sell the surplus back to the National Grid.

Like Mr J of Ruslip, Solar Panel Quoter can give you an instant online quote and afterwards, if you request it, match your location with reputable solar panel installation companies in your area.

Try New SolarPanelQuoter - easier than ever before to use.

Investment funds shelve solar plans

Spotted over at Business Green was this article about more investment funds shelving solar plans following the recently announced emergency feed-in tariff review, which it's believed, is aimed principally at larger solar farm type plans as opposed to homeowners own personal solar panel installations.

Whilst the article goes on to list those companies and the reasons why they're pushing the pause button on gathering investment, what I found most interesting was the figures relating to current feed-in tariff usage.

Apparently, of the £30 to £51 million budgeted for by the Government in the feed-in tariff's first year, during the first 9 months of operation, just £6.3 million has been paid to households and businesses that have installed qualifying renewables technology.

photo credit: annie roi

Feed-in tariffs - Minister will 'act' if companies get greedy

Minister for Energy and Climate Change - Greg Baker, has warned companies and commercial enterprises that try to cash in on the feed-in tariffs that he will act to ensure sufficient funds are left available for private householders to take up the feed-in tariff scheme.

The comments come after several large commercial projects have been discussed.

The fear is that if too many companies and investors jump on the feed-in tariff bandwagon, then the funds the Government has set aside for paying for the tariffs will be used up, denying everyday homeowners the chance to install their own solar generation and be paid for the green energy they produce.

The Government has pledged £400 million for the present feed-in tariff system up till 2014.

Solar panels linked into the feed-in tariffs represent a very attractive investment at the moment - no wonder it's becoming so popular.

If you'd like to explore the money making and lets not forget the energy savings that can be made with your own solar panel installation, then use Solar Panel Quoter and get your free online solar panel installation quote.

photo credit: todd petit

Spain plans solar subsidy cuts

Worrying because something similar could easily happen to the UK's feed-in tariff system (sometime in the future), was this report in the Wall Street Journal about Spain planning major cuts to its own solar energy subsidies.

Subsidies could be cut by as much as 30%, which one private equity firm head described as "a breach of trust".

Spain's had solar subsidies far longer than the UK - subsidies which have attracted large scale investment on the strength of the subsidies previously agreed and being paid.

However, like Germany, the solar subsidies have been so over-subscribed that the money to pay for the subsidies is running out faster than expected.

Spain now has 3,200 megawatts of solar capacity - more than six times what the Spanish government expected to have by 2010. Last year alone, it handed out 2.6 billion euros in subsidies.

What's got investors angered the most is that Spain agreed new subsidies on new wind and solar thermal projects, but is planning cuts for existing as well as new solar photovoltaic installations.

Read the Wall Street Journal's full report here.

photo credit: ciron810

Oh woe is the feed-in tariff

Last week YouGen's blog ran an article following a meeting between the Energy Minister and various representatives of the photovoltaic solar industry.

The purpose was to discuss the implications of the Governments spending review on the feed-in tariff scheme, which has so far helped contribute to over 10,000 solar panel installations in 2010.

You can click here to read the full article yourself but I did want to pick out one or two choice bits.

Firstly, that the Government is now saying (worryingly so) that the so-called solar farms which have started to spring up with investors attracted by the lucrative feed-in tariffs may in the future have to be exempt from the tariff system, which was originally designed with private individuals in mind.

As the Government pointed out, there is a finite amount of money available for the scheme and it may have to protect that figure for take up by private residential individuals at the expense of large scale installations (or there could be restrictions for qualification based on overall output etc).

Secondly, that because the 'pot' of funding has been reduced, future tariff changes may have to more severe, again, dependent on uptake.

The only good bit of news was that no cuts would be applied retrospectively, so if you're thinking of getting solar panels installed, then now is the time to act.

photo credit: d'arcy norman

Friends of the Earth warns of legal challenges if FiT's reduced ahead of promised review dates.

Ahead of last weeks Government cuts announcement, Friends of the Earth had already warned Ministers that they could face legal challenges if they reduced the feed-in tariffs ahead of the 2013 date set by the previous Government for tariff reviews.

At the time of writing this article, media reports were speculating a 10% reduction in the tariff rates for those taking up electricity renewable generation after any cuts were announced.

Those already claiming feed-in tariffs shouldn't be affected by any reductions.

If you're interested in making the most of the current feed-in tariffs, get your free online solar panel installation quote now from Solar Panel Quoter.

photo credit: state records nsw

Where will the cuts fall?

Later today, we should learn where Government cuts will fall - specifically, which green initiatives will loose funding or be cut altogether.

It's pretty pointless speculating ahead of the announcements but we've read that the Feed-in Tariffs could be hit by a 10% cut.

The Warm Front scheme is also facing shutdown with the Government already confirming that it will come under the Green Deal scheme instead.

Micro-generators and suppliers of renewable heat equipment are also holding their breath, to hear what is going to happen to the Renewable Heat Incentive.

Whatever's announced, there are bound to be some unhappy people.

photo credit: suvajack

Treasury may force cut in feed-in tariffs - speculation grows

According to a report by Renewable Energy Focus last week, there's mounting speculation that despite the weeks earlier comments from Energy Secretary Chris Hulme at the Tory Party Conference, the Treasury will force cuts to the feed-in tariffs upon the Department for Energy and Climate Control.

The tariffs were set up this April (2010) and at the time were guaranteed until 31st March 2013, before the figures would be amended. Cuts would normally have been based on available funds and a hoped for decrease in the cost of manufacturing etc.

It's got the industry so worried that 64 top business leaders have written an open letter to westminster, claiming that any bringing forward of cuts to the feed-in tariffs will seriously dent investors confidence in the UK and would lead to the UK being unable to meet its carbon reduction targets.

"confidence in the clean tech and renewable energy sectors may cause investors to flee altogether"

Any reduction if feed-in tariffs only affects those homeowners and businesses applying for the tariff after the date of any changes to rates - existing 'members' and users of the feed-in tariffs should continue to enjoy the rate at which they signed up to.

Read the full report from Renewable Energy Focus by clicking here.

I guess we're all going to have to wait until the 20th October when the spending review is published.

photo credit: rizka budiati

How to make a £1000 a year from Feed-in Tariffs

There's been lots of media attention on Feed-in tariffs recently - the ability to make money from solar panels on the roof of your home, but what is a Feed-in tariff and how exactly do you earn money from it?

Feed-in tariffs pay back qualifying homeowners and businesses for the electricity they generate via solar panels, wind turbines, hydroelectricity and anaerobic digestion, although solar energy is currently the most popular type of installation.

Payback is in 3 parts

Payback is in 3 parts: The Generation tariff is a set rate (set by the Government) paid by your energy supplier for each unit of electricity you generate, the Export tariff is a payment you receive for each unit you export back to the National Grid, that you don't personally need/use yourself, and finally, the savings you'll make on your normal energy bills through not having to 'buy' as much energy as you did previously.

The Generation tariff changes (after the first two years) each year for new entrants to the scheme, however, once you're in, you'll enjoy the same rate for the length of the FiT's scheme. (Currently 25 years for solar installations, 20 years for others). Current rates are between 29.3p and 41.3p per kWh

The Export tariff is currently set at 3p per kWh (unit of electricity) and is the same for all technologies.

Making your home more energy efficient through improvements, insulation and energy rated appliances etc will all help lessen your overall energy usage, making the savings even greater on your daily energy bills.

That's £920 a year on average

Using the example given by the Energy Saving Trust, a 'typical' 2.2 kWp solar installation could earn:
£770 per year from the Generation Tariff
£30 per year from the Export Tariff
£120 per year reduction in your current electricity bills.

That's £920 per year on average.
This will depend on your location, the amount of daylight / orientation of panels to the sun etc. and how efficient your home is in its everyday energy use.

It should be noted that only those systems installed from the 1st April 2010 using an Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) certified installer will qualify. If you installed generating technology between 15th July 2009 and 31st March 2010 and transferred to the FiT's before the 1st April 2010, then you'll also qualify. Tariff income for household customers using the energy for their own use is also free from Income Tax.

The Government is being repeatedly appealed to, to include micro-generators that fall outside the scheme's dates but so far have not yielded.

The FiT's cover installations up to an installation size of 5 mega-watts. Your MCS installer will be able to help you complete the claiming process once your system is installed.

So if you've got money in the bank that, at todays rates, won't be making an awful lot, then perhaps you should consider a solar panel or other micro-generation installation. Whilst tariff rates are high, and with the certainty that energy bills will only get more expensive.

It should also be noted that, whilst the Government is committed to the present tariff levels till 2012, there are numerous rumours that the Generation tariff is going to be reviewed this October (2010) and the micro-generation industry believe a cut in the rate is likely to be announced.

Renewable Heat Incentive scheme

There is currently no scheme for hot water generating technologies, however a decision is expected soon on the Renewable Heat Incentive scheme which would cover hot water renewable technologies - solar, ground source etc, originally planned to start in April 2011. Government Ministers are still debating how exactly funding will be paid to homeowners etc. and how early adopters will also be able to claim (if at all).

There have been some 10,000 entrants since the scheme started in April, the sheer numbers, whilst very encouraging for renewable targets, does present a problem for the Government in how to continue funding the tariffs whilst faced with the extreme cuts to current expenditure levels. Many other european countries that started their own tariff's before the UK have already announced or made their own reductions, which has resulted in the number of entrants slowing.

To get your own quote for installing solar panels, visit Solar Panel Quoter and get an instant online price guide, without the need for any salesmen to call on you.

photo credit: neil lall

note: This story first appeared in Home Improvement Quotes homeowner newsletter published on the 4th October 2010.

Energy Entrepreneurs left with only the warm glow of being pioneers

Good Energy reported last week how those early renewable energy pioneers have at last got an answer from the Energy Secretary regarding retrospective tariffs for their green energy adoption.

And it's not the answer they were all hoping for.

Suffice to say, the big fat 'No' from Chris Hulme means that not only will those early adopters of green energy sources (even though they probably did it with the best of environmental intentions first and any hoped for 'payback' by way of tariffs second), have invested large amounts of their own money without the possibility of enjoying the same tariffs as new up-takers of renewable energy sources, but Good Energy fears it will set back future attempts to 'sell' renewable energy to new customers.

What really seems to have upset many is the fact that, prior to the General Election, many Conservative and Liberal Democrat MP's (80%) had apparently given their support to the introduction of a retrospective tariff for early micro generators.

It's a deeply worrying 'cavalier attitude' I think on the part of the Government to effectively ignore what has gone before.

Yes, those early adopters of renewable energy did so at their own risk and expense but I find it more worrying that this decision (as Green Energy points out) could do real damage to future renewable energy uptake as homeowners and businesses will point to this decision and wag their fingers accordingly.

Read the full Good Energy article here.

Feed-in Tariffs are very much alive and available for photovoltaic solar panel installations in the UK. If you're interested in finding out how much a solar panel installation would cost for your home, use Solar Panel Quoter now to get your instant online quote in minutes.

photo credit: snappybex

UPDATE: The Guardian had this report on the Governments decision which you may also find useful.

Why the Feed-in Tariff's and Renewable Heat Incentives must go on

Good Energy's Commercial Director - Chris Welby - wrote a very reasonable argument for the Government to continue the present Feed-in Tariff system and continue with plans to launch the Renewable Heat Incentive's scheme.

His 3 main points are that:

1) There is no Government money in the FiT and there does not need to be any Government money in the RHI.

2) The Schemes do not reward the rich at the expense of the poor.

3) Decentralised energy is key to energy security.

Some good points here Chris - it's well worth 10 minutes of your time checking it out. Click here to read it.

photo credit: headexplodie

Germany slashes support for solar...

It's been mentioned on this blog on more than one occasion and elsewhere on the Internet about Germany reducing its feed-in tariffs for solar energy, but what exactly are the figures?

In an attempt to find the answer myself, I came across this article by Industrial Fuels and Power.

In it, they quote:

"Moves to slash the level of support for solar are already underway. Roof-top solar systems are due for a 16% cut while open-field projects will see a 15% drop in their feed in tariffs. However, the real losers will be solar installations on agricultural land, which are set to have their feed in tariffs removed completely. The situation is expected to have dramatic implications for German solar cell manufacturers"

The real question is with Germany realising its unable to sustain the levels of subsidies and grants it's paying out, will the same thing happen in the UK?

Well, firstly, it's recognised that the UK's tariffs are lower than our European counterparts and secondly, it must be remembered that Germany is much further along the micro-generation route with 3.8GW installed in 2009 alone.

The European Photovoltaic Industry Association doesn't expect the UK to be above 4GW until 2020.

Only time will tell but as we've alluded to already, it's possible the biggest losers in a reduction of tariffs would be those companies offering free installations in return for keeping the installation subsidies and generation tariffs thereafter.

Read the full article by clicking here.

photo credit: aenneken

Advice is to 'be wary' of free solar panels offers

Just last week, a solar panel company announced on national radio a scheme to install solar panels for free on 100,000 qualifying homes in the UK.

They're not the first and doubtless will be the last as these companies realise the investment and earnings potential, fuelled by the Governments feed-in tariffs for photovoltaic solar energy production.

However, as Renewable Energy World reminds homeowners, quoting a passage from an article in the Guardian newspaper, homeowners should approach these free solar panel schemes with their "eyes wide open".

For example, homeowners, even after taking a 10 year loan in consideration, could save three times the amount on their energy bills compared to the same period on a typical free solar panels scheme.

Of course, the solar panel companies are bearing all the risk - their money is actually paying for the panels and the installation in return for the subsidies and feed-in tariff amounts on energy produced.

However, with the recent news that Spain had cut its feed-in tariffs, following on from Germany and Italy, then it's not unreasonable to suspect that at some point there may be a forced similar cut in UK tariffs, which could alter the situation and leave the homeowner the winner rather than the solar companies.

Read the full article here which includes a downloadable fact sheet of 24 questions to ask before you agree to a free solar panel installation agreement.

To get your own installation quote, visit Solar Panel Quoter, type in a few details about your property and let us do the rest.

photo credit: woodleywonderworks

Spain reduces feed-in tariffs - shocking news

You may have missed this story in last week's Guardian about Spain cutting it's photovoltaic solar panel feed in tariffs by 45%.

The Guardian reports that whilst cuts to solar thermal (hot water) and wind projects were less than anticipated, photovoltaic solar panel installations will bare the brunt of cuts on incentives for new installations.

Indeed, there had been rumours that existing installations would also see some reduction in the tariffs they were on but this does not seem likely to happen.

The Spanish Government are claiming that production costs have fallen and therefore, they shouldn't need to subsidise so much.

It's bad news from a country that has pressing energy problems and had been doing so much to encourage the take up, both privately and local Government levels, of PV solar energy.

The 45% reduction refers to PV ground installations. Large roof-based systems will see a 25% drop with small roof-based systems having a 5% reduction.

This follows similar cuts in both Germany and Italy. Previous uptake, in Germany in particular, had meant a shortage of solar components in the UK.

Read the full report in the Guardian by clicking here.

photo credit: sirsnapsalot

Low carbon buildings fund early closure

As first revealed in May, the current Low-Carbon Buildings Fund is being closed early as part of £6.1 million savings being planned by the Department of Energy and Climate.

The Fund provided grants to homeowners and small businesses to help them install small-scale renewables.

The early closure will save the Department £3million.

However, the Whitehall office points to the new Feed-In Tariff system, which started in April, and pays people for the green electricity they generate from small-scale renewables like solar power.

The Feed-In Tariffs are very much alive and kicking for photovoltaic energy generated by homeowners. The solar industry is also looking forward to the planned Renewable Heat Incentives, which will reward hot water generating systems, still coming into effect next year (2011).

The news of the funds early closure came on the back of last months figures which showed that renewable energy supply from wind, hydra and solar actually dropped during last Winter.

If you'd like to find out more about the Feed-in Tariffs and how much installing a photovoltaic solar panel system could cost you, get your free online quote now at Solar Panel Quoter.co.uk, before being given the opportunity to compare companies in your area.

photo credit: steve punter

But the sun never shines at Glastonbury

Spotted on This is Bristol was this story about Glastonbury Festival founder Michael Eavis renewable energy effort.

In what will become Britain's biggest privately owned solar farm, the project will see more than 1,100 panels, weighing 22.5 tons, installed on a specially re-inforced barn roof.

He expects the system to pay for itself in 6 years, through the feed-in tariffs as well as reducing his own energy bills.

In a recent call for all outdoor festivals to become greener, you may be interested to know that the Festival organisers have already bought all the used chip shop oil they can which will be used to power the onsite generators.

It's a fascinating story and illustrates what you can achieve with solar energy if you've got a roof big enough.

Click here to read the full article now.

photo credit: foxypar4