10 fold increase in UK solar power during 2010

Weren't we saying only yesterday that it was not hard to imagine the UK having to re-think it's solar panel feed-in tariffs if they got too over subscribed like Spain's have?

Statistics from Ofgem (the energy regulator) as reported on Click Green, reveal that despite 2010 being one of the coldest years on record, it didn't stop a 10 fold expansion of solar energy in the UK during 2010.

17,557 feed-in tariff registered installations are now generating a total of 57.6 megawatts of energy.

The exact breakdown shows how much the photovoltaic solar panel feed-in tariffs have played a part in that success - 16,375 of the 17,557 were photovoltaic installations, with 1,007 being wind turbines and 157 being hydro-electric sites.

The worry is that the Government could try to incentivise other renewables like wind by reducing solar subsidies or the tariffs get so over subscribed (as has happened in Spain) that they have no choice but to reduce the tariffs considerably.

If only we could look into a crystal ball? Whatever, a drop in the level of solar subsidy tariffs will become more likely the closer we get to the review period (last reported to be in 2013 I believe) so if you're looking to maximise your payback from your own solar panel installation, then the time to start investigating that is now.

photo credit: edkohler

More Brown Field sites needed for solar

Farming UK reports that with solar having the potential to be the new 'cash crop' for farmers, who at present would be eligible for any feed-in tariff payments, there is a shortage of 'Brown Field' sites.

The call comes amidst concerns that foreign investors won't always be "sensitive to protecting our countryside". A consequence that may face battles with local planning groups and residents alike.

Apparently, companies from Europe, China and Japan are inundating farmers with "lucrative rental deals" creating a "solar power gold rush".

Whether you're a farmer, land owner or interested in what happens to the countryside around you, I think you'll find the full article interesting. Read it here.

photo credit: chris

At least we'll be able drown our sorrows...

The CCC (Committee on Climate Change) has warned the UK needs to prepare for changes in our climate as a result of global warming.

We're already feeling the effects - higher temperatures and changing seasons they warn and the UK needs to be planning for new emergencies that will affect homes and businesses.

This includes measures from making sure coastal nuclear power developments can withstand higher water levels during their operational lives to ensuring adequate drainage systems for homes, as well as better insulation to help people cope with higher temperatures.

On the plus side, the CCC does point out there will be new business opportunities like expanding the UK's wine growing regions and being able to grow more exotic fruits.

That's OK then - we're all going to roast, but at least wine and apricots will be cheaper. I was beginning to get worried!

(the full article appeared on the BBC website last week - click here to read it)

photo credit: jenny downing

Are free solar panel installation schemes a good idea? Article update.

Free Solar Panel Installation Offers - UPDATE

There's been much hype in the national media recently about companies offering free solar panels and installation. One company in particular is quoted as aiming to offer free solar panels to 2.5 million homes in the UK.

Of course, there is usually a qualifying criteria - for example which part of the UK you live in, the amount of available roof space, the direction that roof points in and whether the roof is shaded by overhanging trees or structures on your own or neighbouring property are all taken into account besides other criteria unique to that particular company.

What do you gain from a free installation?

For a start, the solar panels and their installation is carried out free of charge to yourself. Once the installation is complete, you get to enjoy the daytime energy cost savings for using your own produced energy.

You'll also benefit from a hoped for increase in your property's value should you decide to sell it at some point in the future. The 'deal' stays with the property rather than the owner so everything is just transferred to the new owner.

After 25 years, you'll also own the panels out-right. (25 years being the normal period of such agreements).

The money you would have spent on the installation can either say in your savings or be used to fund another home improvement etc.

What do you loose by having a free solar panel installation?

You'll forfeit any subsidies or grants payable to yourself for the installation and any excess energy which is 'sold back' to the national grid will be credited to the company that 'own' the panels rather than you the homeowner. Think of it as letting your roof to a 3rd party for their own financial gain.

If you do sell your property before the end of the agreement, prospective buyers may be put off by the 'taking over' of an agreement they weren't originally involved in. There could be extra legal hurdles to jump through to complete a sale. Some people have reported having to remove panels to attract a buyer.

You may own the panels outright after 25 years (or whatever the agreement period is for) but you'll then be responsible for their maintenance and replacement of failed units if you want to continue enjoying the energy savings they produce.

(It should be noted that although todays panels are usually rated to last for 25 years, many perform for 5 or 10 years afterwards without replacement).

We haven't seen anything that outlines who's financially responsible for the panels i.e house insurance cover in case they're damaged by fire, structural collapse or storm damage etc. We're assuming faulty panels would be replaced by the installer f.o.c? Worth asking if you get the opportunity.

Remember there's no such thing as a free lunch

Most independent consumer watchdogs are warning homeowners to explore such free panel offers with their "eyes wide open". Remember there's no such thing as a 'free lunch'.

Some have gone further by comparing the cost savings of a free panel scheme compared with taking a 10 year personal loan for your own installation and enjoying all the rebates and tariffs. Unsurprisingly, the figures came out in favour of funding your own installation.

Indeed, some believe we could soon see these 'free-fitting' companies starting to offer extra incentives like cash sums up front or a share of the energy generated profits as more of these companies spring up around us. They'll all be chasing the same housing stock / addresses after all.

Free solar panel installations still have a place

However, that option may not be available to everyone, so the free panel schemes do have an important part to play in the mass uptake of renewable energy generation in the UK. if you're approached by a free solar panel 'deal' company, after getting their figures, why not use Solar Panel Quoter to get up to 3 independent quotes in writing from other local solar panel installation companies and draw your own comparisons.

Either way, early uptake of either a free panel offer or installing your own system is essential if you're to make the most of the rebates and energy tariffs. We've already seen other european countries reducing their tariff levels (which apply to new applicants after the tariff change), claiming financial ruin if they keep them at their inception levels, such is the popularity of such schemes. Remember, the feed-in tariff scheme is fixed at 25 years starting from this April (2010) just gone, and applies to photovoltaic (electricity generating) installations only.

You'll find more information and news stories on renewable energy on our popular daily renewable energy blog - and free installation schemes in our recent blog post: click here to read their free solar panels article.

photo credit: gary soup

£30 billion needed for UK offshore wind farms

The UK's offshore wind power developers need £30 billion pounds if the UK is to meet its renewable energy targets by 2020.

That's according to Price Waterhouse Coopers - global accountancy firm in an article by Bloomberg.

It cites the figure of 12 gigawatts of generating capacity being required by 2020 compared with just 0.3 gigawatts installed last year.

I don't think cookie sales are going to help on this one but Price Waterhouse Coopers global energy advisor, thankfully, has other ideas on how the money could be raised.

Click here to read the full article.

photo credit: chovee

Solar Energy Trends for 2010 - glut of solar panels reduces and feed-in tariff's for UK

Solar Energy Trends for 2010 - glut of solar panels reduces & Feed-in Tariff's for the UK

We thought we'd take a few moments amidst what's left of 2009 to gaze into our crystal ball and try to deduce a trend or two for solar energy in 2010.

The big story of 2009 was the world glut of solar panels which came about as the recession cut deep into personal pockets and lines of credit dried up for funding larger projects. Then the Spanish market suffered a severe and sharp decline in demand due to changes in tariff's and funding and suddenly solar panel producers found themselves with completed units that no one wanted.

Prices fell and if you were in the market for a solar panel installation, then you probably got a bargain on the cost of the panels themselves. If larger commercial projects had the funding (which many didn't, hence the glut), then their set up costs were reduced dramatically.

Although it wasn't a World Cup year, Germany came to the rescue with strong demand, fuelled by government incentives and lower prices.

What was being painted as a very bleak over-stocked outlook for 2010 started to reverse as the stockpiles reduced and prices started to climb again.

The start of 2010 will still see a degree of over-stocking, the question is how long will that situation affect prices as we head into the Spring of 2010?

The other big news for 2010 is the introduction of feed-in tariff's in the UK.

Whilst at the time of writing this, there is still some confusion over what the tariff's will actually be, what they'll amount to etc and even some analysts questioning the previously published start date in April with so much still to be decided - Energy companies are claiming that a planned announcement in January on the tariff's won't leave them enough time to alter their company infrastructures to include this new pricing model.

But we think the feed-in tariff's are going to be big and once they grab the UK publics imagination, then expect prices of solar panels to rise as demand quickly grows. I've even read reports questioning if there are enough installation companies in the UK to cope with an anticipated surge in installation enquiries. Who knows? (Don't forget you can get a range of quotes from recommended local companies via SolarPanelQuoter.co.uk - a completely free service to homeowners and businesses in the UK.)

We've covered feed-in tariff's here before but it's worth re-iterating that feed-in tariff's are based on a fixed period of years - a guarantee if you like - that for whatever the period is set at, the owner can expect a certain rate for the electricity they put into the national system. So the earlier or nearer to the start date you can get with your own completed installation and participation, the more you'll save / earn from the scheme.

This makes solar energy more viable as the pay back period on your installation is reduced. Add to that government grants and local authority incentives on installation costs and pay back periods are reduced even further. Not to mention the added value to your properties price should you decide to sell and move one day.

Well, that's it. Thank you for your readership and company during 2009 - we hope we've been able to enlighten you, inform you, amuse you, and give you something to think about or discuss with others. Our thanks to all those sources we've quoted in our posts and to the photographers who've really allowed us to brighten up our posts with a topical or more cryptic image.

We'll be back with more posts - December - sorry 2009 - is not over 'till Jools Holland shouts "Hootenanny!" on New Year's Eve.

Whatever 2010 holds in store for us, we wish you a Happy Holiday and a peaceful New Year.

Everyone at Solar Panel Quoter.

photo credit: dan queiroz

Wind Power breaks 4GW barrier in UK

The UK passed a major milestone last week with the commissioning of three wind farms, taking the UK to 4 Gigawatts of installed capacity.

The latest 1GW of capacity being added in less that a year - compare this with the first 1GW taking 14 years to deliver in 2005, 20 months for the second GW and a year and a half for the third.

UK wind power now powers the equivalent of Scotland's household needs, or 2.3 million homes.

And the good news is that the industry expects to see GW's 5 and 6 installed by the end of next year.

There are another 9GW worth of schemes in planning waiting for approval which would take our capacity to over 20GW - well on target for the Governments 30GW target, however with onshore approvals by local councils falling to a new low with just 25% of applications being approved, how likely is it that the UK will actually meet that target?

Read the full article online at SOAWorld Magazine - click here.

photo credit: phil parker