week ending 3 February 2012
New Minister
Liberal Democrat, MP Ed Davey has been confirmed as the new Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change after Chris Huhne this morning stepped down.
Solar Power Portal 3rd Feb 2012 more >>
Community Energy Challenge
The Community Energy Challenge is a bold new initiative by The Co-operative that will support a powerful set of community energy projects and help unleash a clean energy revolution across the UK. For the Community Energy Challenge, The Co-operative is seeking six to eight ambitious communities keen to develop projects that involve local people, change the way we think about energy, and inspire others to shape a renewable energy future.
Centre for Sustainable Energy 3rd Feb 2012 more >>
Scottish Water
Scottish Water will undertake a £20million hydropower scheme that will use the flow in large water supply pipes to generate electricity and protect water treatment plants from power failures.
Renewable Energy Focus 3rd Feb 2012 more >>
Herefordshire Community Solar
A Herefordshire-based solar cooperative has had to put proposed solar projects on hold after Government’s feed-in tariff (FiT) review rendered the proposed projects unviable. The Leominster Community Solar Co-Operative (LCSC) managed to install a 49kWp system on the town’s Bridge Street Leisure Centre before swingeing cuts to the FiT were enforced on December 12. The LCSC proved so popular that, not only did reach its target of £150,000 and install the solar PV system on time, but it also managed to exceed the target amount by 40 percent. The level of support for the scheme clearly shows the public’s appetite for community-owned solar initiatives across the UK.
Solar Power Portal 3rd Feb 2012 more >>
Bromsgrove goes ahead
Bromsgrove District Council has given the green light to a solar energy scheme that will see solar panels installed on the council’s depot in Aston Road. The scheme had come under scrutiny after uncertainty over current feed-in tariff (FiT) rates could lead to lower returns than anticipated. However, the council’s Portfolio Holder for Planning and Regeneration, Councillor Kit Taylor, confirmed that even at the lower FiT rates, the scheme will still achieve its environmental goals and represent good value for tax-payers.
Solar Power Portal 3rd Feb 2012 more >>
Low Carbon Offices
Threadneedle Low Carbon Workplace Trust (LCW) has targeted commercial buildings outside London as its next phase of expansion after the green property investment fund opens its first fully energy managed low-carbon office today.
Business Green 3rd Feb 2012 more >>
Low Cost Solar for Developing World
IndiGo is a pay-as-you-go, personal solar electricity system. By combining solar and mobile phone technology, the system is affordable and allows users to light their homes and charge mobile phones as a service, paid for using scratch cards.
Cambridge News 2nd Feb 2012 more >>
mCHP FiT
Energy and climate Change minister Greg Barker said today that higher subsidies for micro combined heat and power (microCHP) under the feed-in tariff scheme would soon be raised. The minister’s comments were welcomed by microgeneration industry groups which have long called for a 50 per cent increase in the current subsidy rate, and for the 30,000 cap on the number of units that qualify for support to be lifted. The feed-in tariff (Fit) for microCHP currently stands at 10p/kWh. The Micropower Council, the Combined Heat and Power Association and the Heating and Hotwater Industry Council want 15p/kWh and argue that the technology is one of the cheapest ways of decarbonising heat and power.
Utility Week 2nd Feb 2012 more >>
Business Green 2nd Feb 2012 more >>
Energy Efficiency News 3rd Feb 2012 more >>
The microCHP industry s three industry bodies today welcomed key commitments by the Minister for Energy and Climate Change (Greg Barker MP) to boost government support for micro-combined heat and power systems installed in homes. As well as pledging to increase the feed-in tariff rate for microCHP, the Minister also made a commitment to explore other policy interventions to increase take-up.
Micro Power Council 1st Feb 2012 more >>
FiT Futures
Back in November last year the Minister for Energy and Climate Change, Greg Barker, met with members of the UK solar industry to discuss the future of feed-in tariffs. At the time, the Minister announced plans to follow the German tariff degression model as part of the second consultation on reforms to the scheme. DECC now intends to announce the outcome of this consultation by February 9, in time for any resulting legislative changes to come into effect from April 1, 2012. It is hoped that DECC’s Phase 2 proposals will map out exactly what to expect from March 31 until the end of the current spending envelope. Subsequently, solar businesses working in the UK market will be able to form their strategies in advance, as opposed to suffering the six-week notice periods they have been forced to work within the past.
Solar Power Portal 2nd Feb 2012 more >>
Thames Gas
British Gas and Thames Water have combined to help their customers save money by encouraging them to use water and energy more wisely. The agreement will see the utility companies combine to promote energy-saving and water saving products. Customers will be able to explore a range of different energy saving measures – including solar panels, heat pumps, energy-efficient boilers, shower savers and dual-flush toilets.
Solar Power Portal 2nd Feb 2012 more >>
Solar Top Ten
The UK solar market is the eighth-largest market in the world, according to new figures released by the European Photovoltaic Industry Association (EPIA). Global installations climbed by 70 percent from last year to 27.7GW, with the UK contributing an impressive 700MW of capacity.
Solar Power Portal 2nd Feb 2012 more >>
Small-scale AD
The small scale anaerobic digestion system will be designed to generate income and power for farms and food manufacturers, and also resolve the issue of biomass waste disposal. The project’s aim is to reduce capital costs of a small anaerobic digestion plant, while delivering a process capable of accepting biomass feed streams, saving significant land fill tariffs and generating power, and/or revenue from the sale of power, for the end user. Studies have highlighted that there is an unmet market need for commercially viable anaerobic digestion plants at the 250 kWe scale and below.
Renewable Energy Focus 2nd Feb 2012 more >>
Community Projects
Community-owned green energy projects present the best chance of converting the UK to a low-carbon economy and should receive more government support, civil society groups representing 12 million people said on Wednesday.
Business Green 2nd Feb 2012 more >>
Solar Uncertainty
The Government is proposing to make full payments from “feed-in tariffs” conditional on homes meeting energy efficiency standards. The change would come into effect on April 1. Currently, householders receive 43.3p per kWh of electricity generated. The Government will cut this rate for new installations to 21p in April, after an attempt to impose the cut sooner was thrown out by the courts. Unless that ruling is overturned on appeal, anyone who completes their installation before 3 March will still receive the higher rate. But the proposal to link the payments to the overall energy efficiency of the property could see some solar panel owners receive just 9p – which is 79pc less than 43.3p – if their homes fail to meet the standard. The Government is still consulting about the plans, which would not affect installations completed before April.
Telegraph 2nd Feb 2012 more >>
One week ago today, the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) lost its appeal against the High Court ruling in December that its proposals to change the feed-in tariff rates for solar PV were “unlawful.” However, since then, Government has decided to seek leave to appeal to the Supreme Court and they have 28 days from the judgment on 25 January to do so. This decision has issued yet more uncertainty into the UK solar industry.
Solar Power Portal1st Feb 2012 more >>
Solar Boost
The last quarter of 2011 saw a 23% rise in the European solar photovoltaic (PV) market, creating short-term optimism in the industry, according to NPD Solarbuzz.
Renewable Energy Focus 2nd Feb 2012 more >>
Zero Carbon Buildings
Worldwide revenues from buildings that use green technologies to produce as much energy as they use could climb to just under $1.3tr by 2035, analysts say. Although few zero-energy buildings exist, the concept has “emerged as a gold standard in the construction industry” and will be given a boost by regulations coming into force from 2016, says a report published by Pike Research earlier this week.
Business Green 2nd Feb 2012 more >>
Building Regs
The Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) has launched a set of proposals on changes to the Building Regulations regime, which could boost the uptake of Green Deal measures. Under the new requirements, building owners carrying out extensions or conversions could be forced to add energy efficiency improvements worth 10 percent of the value of the improvements.
Solar Power Portal 1st Feb 2012 more >>
Green Deal Assessors
In its Green Deal consultation submission, sent to the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) before the January 18 deadline, Worcester Bosch warned Government that commission-based assessors might be tempted to inaccurately sell Green Deal finance packages. As part of its response to Government’s flagship green energy proposals, Worcester Bosch Group voiced fears about imprecise selling techniques and the independence of assessors, particularly those with current ties to retailers.
Solar Power Portal 1st Feb 2012 more >>
Health & Safety
As councils and housing providers increasingly turn to solar energy to help residents reduce their household energy bills as well as their impact on the environment, they need to know how to manage the risks to their workforce when carrying out tasks above ground level.
SHP 1st Feb 2012 more >>
School Buildings
Education Secretary Michael Gove is understood to be facing opposition from the energy, environment and business departments over controversial plans to exempt new schools from the globally recognised BRE Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) green building standard.
Business Green 1st Feb 2012 more >>
Thames Solar
Thames Water has announced that all 3.7MW of its solar projects have been signed off by Ofgem at the 30.7p/kWh pre-cut feed-in tariff rates. By completing the installations before the 12.9p rate kicked in, the company will generate a potential income difference of millions of pounds over the lifespan of the feed-in tariff scheme. The various solar arrays have been fitted in locations that would be otherwise unused, including a 450kW array on the roof of the Beckton desalination plant in Newham, a 1,500kW system on the top of vast storm tanks built in the 1800s at Crossness sewage works in Bexley; and a 1,790kW installation at Walton water treatment works in Sunbury.
Solar Power Portal 1st Feb 2012 more >>
More FiT Changes
The government is set to introduce phased reductions in subsidies for solar panels that come into force once a certain level of installations is reached. A consultation on the so-called deployment trigger could be launched as early next week, a spokeswoman for the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC).
Business Green 1st Feb 2012 more >>
Ridiculous FiT
At the beginning of yet another tense week in the UK solar industry Lord Marland, who supports the Secretary of State at the Department of Energy and Climate Change, attacked the cost of feed-in tariffs, stating that the scheme is, “one of the most ridiculous schemes that has ever been dreamed up.”
Solar Power Portal 1st Feb 2012 more >>
Cheshire Solar
STAFF at a Wardle-based solar energy firm are celebrating after the Court of Appeal upheld a High Court ruling that planned Government cuts to the industry were unlawful. The decision, taken on Wednesday, last week, came after weeks of lobbying and campaigning outside MPs’ offices as Green Electrician staff sought greater clarity and assurances from the Government on the future of the solar industry.
Crewe Chronicle 1st Feb 2012 more >>
Sentinel 30th Jan 2012 more >>
Derby Solar
AN Alfreton company which makes plastic containers and pallets has installed solar panels at its factory to help reduce costs and its impact on the environment. George Utz has put 210 solar panels on the roof of its Clover Nook Industrial Park factory.
Derby Telegraph 1st Feb 2012 more >>
Collective Effort
Stepping up the UK’s commitment to community-owned renewable energy, a partnership of civil society leaders will today meet with Chris Huhne, Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, to instigate the ‘vision for community energy.’ Leading figures from The Co-operative; the National Trust; The National Federation of Women’s Institutes; the Church of England and Campaign to Protect Rural England will ask for Government’s assistance in the launch of a number of community-owned renewable energy projects across the UK.
Solar Power Portal 1st Feb 2012 more >>
Building Regs
The government yesterday set out proposals for an overhaul of building regulations that would make new “zero-carbon homes” commonplace by 2016 and require property owners to install measures to improve their building’s energy efficiency when they carry out renovations.
Business Green 1st Feb 2012 more >>
Micro Power Council View
It has been confirmed that the Appeal Court has rejected the government’s appeal against the High Court’s ruling that the changes proposed in the Phase 1 consultation of the comprehensive Feed-in Tariff. The government applied to the Appeal Court for leave to appeal the Appeal Court’s decision to the Supreme Court. This permission was not granted. However we understand the government does have the option to apply directly to the Supreme Court to grant permission for a further appeal. We do not yet know the government’s intentions in this respect.
RCI 31st Jan 2012 more >>
Baxi View
Baxi, the leading heating and hot water solutions provider for the specification sector, has welcomed the news that the Department of Energy and Climate Change will publish its Phase 2 consultation on Feed-in Tariffs (FiTs) on February 9th 2012.
Cision Wire 31st Jan 2012 more >>
AD Threat
The UK anaerobic digestion (AD) industry is under threat from proposed changes to the EU Waste Framework Directive, according to the UK Renewable Energy Association (REA).
Renewable Energy Focus 31st Jan 2012 more >>
Supreme Blunder
THE Court of Appeal ruling last week that the Government acted unlawfully when it proposed to reduce the feed-in tariff (FIT) rates from April 1 this year for PV systems installed after December 12, 2011, was a clear victory for the solar industry. However the Government’s refusal to accept the ruling and to seek leave to appeal the decision in the Supreme Court means the current uncertainty regarding FIT rates for solar PV systems installed after that date will continue for some time.
The Journal 31st Jan 2012 more >>
In reality, DECC has won the battle, if not the court case, since this ongoing uncertainty has essentially dampened down demand for solar PV projects since last December. This was, of course, the intention of the consultation process - and with a few more weeks still to run until 3 March, this is probably why DECC has announced it is keeping its options open and seeking permission to appeal. However, it may not be winning the war. This whole saga has put at risk investor confidence in the UK renewable energy sector - at a time when vast amounts of private sector cash is needed to decarbonise our power sector. The government needs to be instilling certainty in the market, not fostering high degrees of political risk. It set the FITs levels too high in the first place, and has clumsily tampered with the rules ever since to close loopholes and reset levels as the market has reacted, quite legitimately, to the opportunities presented.
Birmingham Post 30th Jan 2012 more >>
Solar Schools
The Solar Schools project, launched by carbon cutting organisation 10:10 in conjunction with Mumsnet, has now enlisted nine schools. The most recent to benefit from the scheme, E.P Collier Primary School, has now achieved its target of raising £10,000 and is now looking at maximising donations to install a larger array.
Solar Power Portal 30th Jan 2012 more >>
FiT Fiasco
The House of Commons has published a Commons Library Standard Note that aims to summarise the entire solar feed-in tariff fiasco to date. The note is intended to fully brief members and their staff over the history of the feed-in tariff for solar PV electricity generation after the Department for Energy and Climate Change’s (DECC) handling of the scheme was ruled as illegal by the High Court and the Court of Appeal, which upheld the decision.
Solar Power Portal 30th Jan 2012 more >>
Solar Jobs
Don Valley MP Caroline Flint, Labour’s Shadow Energy and Climate Change Secretary, has accused ministers of trying to hide job losses in the solar industry. She said Government estimates show the cuts to the Feed-in Tariff could cause tens of thousands of job losses – despite the fact ministers originally claimed the plans could create 10,000. “When growth is flat-lining and unemployment is rising, solar is one industry that is actually growing and creating jobs,” she said.
Sheffield Star 29th Jan 2012 more >>
Council-owned turbines
Bristol City Council is seeking bids from major wind developers to build two wind turbines at Avonmouth. Planning approval was granted in January 2009 for turbines with a capacity of up to 3 MW each but final details will be subject to a formal tender process. They are expected to cost between £5-6m although this will be recovered through savings on the council’s energy bills and sales made on the electricity produced.
Bristol Business News 27th Jan 2012 more >>
BPVA
Solarcentury has confirmed its resignation from the British Photovoltaics Association (BPVA) after the association’s Chairman applied to intervene in the legal case the day before the Court of Appeal hearing. The Court refused the application. Yesterday, both the Secretary of State, Greg Barker and the Energy Minister, Chris Huhne commended the BPVA for its support in the court appeal.
Solar Power Portal 27th Jan 2012 more >>
Rare Metals
Shortages of a handful of rare minerals could slow the future growth of the burgeoning renewable energy industries, and affect countries’ chances of limiting greenhouse gas emissions, business leaders were told at the World Economic Forum in Davos this week. Terbium, yttrium, dysprosium, europium and neodymium are widely used in the manufacture of wind turbines, solar panels, electric car batteries and energy-efficient lightbulbs. But because these “rare earths” are mined almost exclusively in China, it is becoming increasingly difficult and expensive to source them in the required quantities.
Guardian 27th Jan 2012 more >>
Solar Uncertainty
After Government this week announced its intention to take the ongoing appeal case to the Supreme Court; the UK solar industry has been left with a huge question mark hanging over what on the feed-in tariff rates will be between December 12, 2011 and March 3, 2012. The point is: what rate should installers be selling at?
Solar Portal 27th Jan 2012 more >>