Worcester Renewables Ltd

t:01386-871490 e:info@WorcesterRenewables.com

Tag: Electricity

DECC confirms FIT (Feed-in Tariff) changes to be 1st August

At the Ministerial announcement in the House of Commons today, Greg Barker laid out plans for the changes to the Feed-in Tariff to apply from the 1st August 2012

Changes to solar Feed-in Tariffs

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.

So What Happens On An Installation? Part 1

Here’s a short time-lapse video of a 4kWp installation (21 x 190W Panels) in Worcester – any questions, just call us on 0844-453-5591 or click on the

 

To Follow – the electrics – installing the Inverter (that turns the electricity from the panels into mains power)

The Sun Has Got his Hat On

Hip Hip Hooray!

Ofgem has just released the new figures for Feed-in Tariff (FIT) payment for2011/2012, and as promised, they have been increased in line with the Retail price increase, meaning that they’ve gone up a whopping 4.8% !

Just click here: to download the latest FIT Payment Rate Table for 2011/12

So just what does it mean for Solar PV owners?

Well, instead of earning 41.3(1) pence per kWH you will now be getting paid 43.3 pence per kWh, meaning that your pay back period will be even quicker than we estimated (we had assumed an increase of only 3.5%), and your FIT payments cheques will be even bigger!

Important NOTE from Ofgem: –

Because from 1 April 2011 all electricity generated and exported by accredited installations will receive the adjusted tariff, it is important that the existing generators take a meter reading on 31 March 2011. In the absence of such a reading, FIT Licensees will calculate what proportion of electricity has been generated and exported until 31 March 2011, and what proportion has been generated and exported from 1 April 2011. They will then apply the relevant tariff to the generation and export electricity.

This is good news for all of our existing customers that have installed systems under the FIT scheme over the last 12 months and even better new for those considering it or planning to have it installed this year.

Also don’t forget that the Government has announced its review of the FIT scheme due to the massive number of Solar PV farms (see this post for more details on that), meaning that now is an even better time to get on and get your system installed.

For a free, no-obligation quotation, just give us a call at Worcester Renewables, on 0844-453-5591 or click here: Quote Me

What Next?

 E-mail

The process, simplified.

The Telephone survey (call 0844-453-5591).

fingerphone

We know it can be a daunting process trying to understand the best financial solution or system. That’s why we start with a very simple telephone survey to understand your ambition and aims, or why you are looking at a system at all. Using our software we can determine how effective a system is likely to be, approximately how much it might cost, and the benefits it will deliver. If you feel it is worth pursuing then we move to the on site survey.

The On Site Survey.

compassone

This confirms or amends our findings from the telephone survey. But we double check every element of the system and implementation and any special resources’ we may require such as scaffolding. Roof condition, cable runs, sun irradiation reports and any questions you have are answered here.Your complete satisfaction is essential to us

Planning & Installation

planningCleaner Air Solutions use state of the art tooled vehicles for efficient and effective installation.

Your system is picked and diarised for installation at a time convenient for yourself. Each installation is project managed so you know exactly how long we will be on site and when you will be generating your own electricity.

Our Installation teams are qualified to industry standards and quality assured through continual training in our in house academy.

Courtesy and cleanliness are our watchwords and we will leave your home as soon as possible with virtually no disruption

Guarantees & Advice

iteamMost components of the system are guaranteed for 25 years giving you peace of mind. We continue to support you with advice on how to claim your Feed In Tariff and completion certificated ensuring that all paperwork if filed with you should you need it in the future.

How it works

Photovoltaic systems use cells to convert solar radiation into electricity. The PV cell consists of one or two layers of a semi conducting material, usually silicon. When light shines on the cell it creates an electric field across the layers, causing electricity to flow.

The greater the intensity of the light, the greater the flow of electricity…

PV systems generate no greenhouse gases, a typical domestic system can save almost 1tonne of carbon dioxide emissions per year – adding up to almost 23 tonnes over a system’s lifetime.

PV arrays now come in a variety of shapes and colours, ranging from grey ‘solar tiles’ that look like roof tiles, to panels and transparent cells that you can use on conservatories and glass to provide shading as well as generating electricity. As well as enabling you to generate free electricity they can provide an interesting alternative to conventional roof tiles!

Solar PV and your home

You can use PV systems for a building with a roof or wall that faces within 90 degrees of south, as long as no other buildings or large trees overshadow it. If the roof surface is in shadow for parts of the day, the output of the system decreases.

Solar panels are not light and the roof must be strong enough to take their weight, especially if the panel is placed on top of existing tiles.

Solar PV installations should always be carried out by a trained and experienced installer.

Cost and maintenance

Prices for PV systems vary, depending on the size of the system to be installed, type of PV cell used and the nature of the actual building on which the PV is mounted. The size of the system is dictated by the amount of electricity required.

For the average domestic system, costs can be around £4,000- £6,000 per kWh installed, with most domestic systems usually between 1.4 and 4 kWh. Solar tiles cost more than conventional panels, and panels that are integrated into a roof are more expensive than those that sit on top.

A 2kWh array can provide enough electricity to meet around 40% of a households electricity needs over a year.

If you intend to have major roof repairs carried out it may be worth exploring PV tiles as they can offset the cost of roof tiles.

Grid connected systems require very little maintenance, generally limited to ensuring that the panels are kept relatively clean and that shade from trees has not become a problem. The wiring and components of the system should however be checked regularly by a qualified technician.

Stand-alone systems, i.e. those not connected to the grid, need maintenance on other system components, such as batteries.

Planning considerations

In England and Scotland, changes to permitted development rights for domestic micro-generation technologies introduced in April 2008 and March 2009 respectively have lifted the requirements for planning permission for most solar PV installations. Roof mounted and stand-alone systems can now be installed in most dwellings, as long as they respect certain size criteria. (See page on Planning Permission for further details). Exceptions apply for Listed Buildings, and buildings in Conservation Areas and World Heritage Sites.

In Wales and Northern Ireland, the devolved governments are currently all considering changes to their legislation on permitted developments, to facilitate installations of micro-generation technologies, including solar PV. Legislation is expected in these countries later this year.

Always check with your local authority to find out if you require planning permission or not, the information on this page is for guidance only.