week ending 10 February 2012
Phase 2
Briefing from JDS Associates on DECC launch of phase 2 of its consultation on Feed in Tariffs.
JDS Associates 10th Feb 2012 more >>
New Solar Cells
Cambridge University scientists have developed a new type of solar cell that could capture significantly more of the sun’s energy than current silicon-based cells.
Engineer 10th Feb 2012 more >>
Solar Power Portal 10th Feb 2012 more >>
Solar Costs
Solar photovoltaic (PV) costs are set for another substantial decline in 2012 amid a continuing dramatic fall in polysilicon prices, according to analysis by GTM Research.
Environmental Finance 10th Feb 2012 more >>
FiT Review Mixed Bag
The government have announced their intentions regarding the future of the Feed-In Tariff scheme, which have been met with varied responses. Rowena Mearley, of PWC commented - “Overall, today’s announcement is somewhat of a mixed bag for the industry”.
Green Building Press 10th Feb 2012 more >>
Industry groups have hit back at the UK government’s proposals to reform the feed-in tariff (FIT) scheme for microgeneration technologies unveiled yesterday.
Energy Efficiency News 10th Feb 2012 more >>
Micro-CHP
UK Minister for Climate Change, Greg Barker, has announced the publication of DECC’s (Department of Energy and Climate Change) Phase 2B consultation on feed-in tariffs (FIT), incorporating a range of technologies, including micro-CHP. The proposed changes will see the micro-CHP tariff rise from 10.5 pence per kilowatt hour to 12.5 pence per kilowatt hour; an additional export tariff of 3.1 pence per kilowatt hour is also available for electricity exported to the grid.
Fuel Cell Today 10th Feb 2012 more >>
The proposal to increase subsidies for micro combined heat and power (CHP) systems was yesterday hailed as a “step in the right direction”, but the industry has warned the potential rise in feed-in tariffs (FiTs) may still fail to drive take-up of the technology.
Business Green 10th Feb 2012 more >>
SMEs take up renewable
New research from business to business energy supplier, Opus Energy, has suggested that a growing level of interest among small to medium enterprises (SMEs) in generating renewable energy from their own businesses. One third (32%) of the businesses surveyed expected to introduce solar panels, wind turbines or anaerobic digestion for example, and 38% expected to be generating their own renewable energy within five years.
Connecting Industry 10th Feb 2012 more >>
Utility Week 9th Feb 2012 more >>
Green Deal Trial
Alliance Homes, a Somerset-based housing association is looking at developing a legal framework that would see it become one of the first landlords to set up as a Green Deal provider. The 6,500-home association could invite other landlords to help achieve the scale needed to successfully operate under the coalition’s flagship green policy. Alliance Homes is considering investing its own money into establishing the necessary legal framework, subject to a positive result from a feasibility study. The association is also considering trialling a pilot project using between 50 and 70 homes on which it can test green deal measures.
Solar Power Portal 10th Feb 2012 more >>
Cuts Opinion
The Government has handled the cuts to the Feed-in Tariff badly, make no mistake about that. But the courts have stepped in to put right the worst of ministers’ blunders and now we should be on course for a more transparent and justifiable level of subsidy. That is where we have to be, if green energy is to take its rightful place in the mix of power generation Britain needs.
Western Morning News 10th Feb 2012 more >>
In further response to yesterday’s announcement that the UK Government is proposing further changes to the feed-in tariff scheme for renewable energy, the Renewable Energy Association (REA) says it welcomes the ambition, but expresses concern over details.
Renewable Energy Focus 10th Feb 2012 more >>
In the wake of the feed-in tariff announcement made by Government yesterday morning, the reaction from industry has been somewhat mixed. While some view the announced changes as positive moves in the right direction, many others are disappointed, and remain of the opinion that the Department of Energy and Climate Change’s support for solar is just not strong enough.
Solar Power Portal 10th Feb 2012 more >>
Government proposals to speed up the reduction in feed-in-tariffs (FITs) for solar power could spell “armageddon” for the growing Midlands industry, according to a renewable energy company.
Birmingham Post 10th Feb 2012 more >>
Job Cuts
Figures published in the Department’s own Impact Assessment estimate that jobs in the UK solar industry will fall from 15,000 in 2011 to just 10,000 in 2012. The 5,000 job losses are attributed to the predicted fall in installations during 2012. DECC expects installations to plummet by over 40 percent under the new proposals, from 205,000 in 2011 to 120,000 in 2012.
Solar Power Portal 10th Feb 2012 more >>
Business Green 10th Feb 2012 more >>
Small Wind FiT Cuts
RenewableUK, the trade association for the wind, wave & tidal industry, has expressed high levels of concern over the Government’s proposed new levels for feed-in tariffs for small wind turbines. Household-scale wind turbines have had their tariffs slashed by over 40%, while farm and small business-scale turbines have seen cuts of over a quarter. These reductions have been described by the Minister for Climate Change, Greg Barker MP, as ‘dramatic’.
Renewable UK 9th Feb 2012 more >>
Business Green 10th Feb 2012 more >>
Renewable Energy Focus 10th Feb 2012 more >>
Housing Associations
Social housing groups, community projects and distributed energy schemes could get full feed-in tariffs (FiT) for solar panel-generated energy, the government has announced. Organisations or an individual with more than 25 photovoltaic installations will get 80 per cent of the reduced 21p/kWh feed-in tariff for electricity sold into the national grid, said the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC).
FM World 10th Feb 2012 more >>
Swift Installations to get FiT?
The Government has confirmed it will halve the ‘Feed-in tariff’ subsidy paid to households who install solar panels from next month – but some firms are still claiming that customers can get the higher payment if they sign up today. But experts suggest swift installations will be difficult to achieve. Watchdog Consumer Focus has warned: ‘It is worth being aware that it takes four weeks on average for installation and registration, and paperwork delays and bad weather could also add on extra time.’
This is Money 10th Feb 2012 more >>
Cut Support
The Government has received cautious support from energy leaders after announcing a wave of changes to controversial solar subsidies, which will include further slashes to the renewables incentive scheme.
Western Morning News 10th Feb 2012 more >>
Eco Fridge
Students design a fridge that cuts energy consumption by 40%
Business Green 10th Feb 2012 more >>
Multi Installation
In its response to the consultation on the comprehensive review for solar feed-in tariff rates, DECC has published its intention to introduce a multi-installation tariff rate for aggregated projects. DECC has confirmed that any FiT generator or recipient of FiT payments with 25 or more solar PV installations from April 1 will only receive 80 percent of the standard tariff rate.
Solar Power Portal 9th Feb 2012 more >>
Solar Fury
Climate Change Minister insists industry will expand this year, as solar firms vent fury over changes that could see tariff drop to 12.9p this year.
Business Green 9th Feb 2012 more >>
The Government today unveiled plans for further cuts to solar subsidies, sparking concerns over the future of the industry and thousands of clean-tech jobs. Energy Minister Greg Barker claimed the reforms to payments for small-scale solar would mean a bigger scheme that could deliver an “extraordinarily ambitious” 22GW of panels - the equivalent of 3.3 million installations for homes and businesses.
Independent 9th Feb 2012 more >>
Everyone welcomes Greg Barker’s pledge to grow the solar industry, but with the small print promising to shrink the sector this year firms are divided on how to respond
Business Green 9th Feb 2012 more >>
Written Statement
We are now taking the opportunity of the review to put right the many limitations of the scheme we inherited. We have looked hard at the FITs budget and made the most of the flexibility available under the Levy Control Framework to ensure that we can keep the scheme going. The reforms I am announcing today are designed to make that budget go as far as possible to maximise the number of people able to benefit from FITs; to provide greater certainty to the industries concerned; and to ensure value for money to consumers who pay the bills.
DECC 9th Feb 2012 more >>
FiT Review
The Government has today announced plans to ensure the future of the Feed-in Tariffs scheme to make it more predictable. Transparency, longevity and certainty are at the heart of the new improved scheme. The reforms will provide greater confidence to consumers and industry investing in exciting renewable technologies such as solar power, anaerobic digestion, micro-CHP, wind and hydro power.
DECC 9th Feb 2012 more >>
The government has today revealed plans to cut incentives for small scale wind and hydroelectric schemes from April this year, despite relatively slow adoption of both technologies. However, the micro combined heat and power (CHP) sector could be in for a boost after the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) announced proposals to increase the level of support available for the technology from 11p/kWh to 12.5p/kWh.
Business Green 9th Feb 2012 more >>
PV Barriers
Dave Sowden, Chief Executive of the Micropower Council, one of the PV Legal Partners, said: “Although there has been considerable progress in the UK towards the removal of administrative obstacles, there are still several barriers around grid connection for installations larger than 4kW and Building Control requirements for domestic installations that must be addressed.”
H&V News 9th Feb 2012 more >>
Ambitious Plans to Kill Solar
The government has today announced wide ranging plans to reform the popular feed-in tariff incentives scheme, promising to deliver 22GW of solar capacity by 2020. But ministers have also risked further angering the solar industry, after setting out proposals that could see incentives for installations with less than 4kW of capacity cut by 35 per cent to 13.6p/kWh - a level that industry insiders fear will lead to a significant contraction of the sector. Writing on Twitter, Howard Johns of the Solar Trade Association said the government had unveiled “ambitious new plans for destroying the UK solar industry”, adding that the scale of the proposed cuts were a “disaster” for the previously expanding industry.
Business Green 9th Feb 2012 more >>
Climate Change Minister Greg Barker has defended government plans to cut the feed-in tariff for solar PV three times this year, potentially seeing rates reach 12.9p/kWh by October, insisting the industry will continue to grow.
Business Plan 9th Feb 2012 more >>
Baxi Welcomes mCHP FiT Boost
Baxi, the leading heating and hot water solutions provider for the specification sector, has welcomed the proposed increase in the Feed-in Tariff (FIT) for micro-CHP announced today by the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC). The decision reflects the huge carbon cutting potential of micro-CHP and will act as a significant boost to the UK’s low carbon economy.
Cision Wire 9th Feb 2012 more >>
Four Million Solar Homes?
Nearly 4m homes across the UK will be powered by the sun within eight years, the government said on Thursday, in a dramatic increase of ambition for the fledgling solar power industry. But the estimate comes on the back of a cut in the subsidies available for solar energy generation, to take effect from April, which will greatly reduce the amount of money households with solar panels will receive. Ministers said the cut was needed because the costs of solar panels have plummeted in recent months, and the new rules follow an unsuccessful attempt to impose cuts last year that was judged unlawful in the courts.
Guardian 9th Feb 2012 more >>
FiT & EPC link
In its response to the consultation on recent feed-in tariff cuts, DECC announced its intention to make energy efficiency measures part of the requirement when installing a photovoltaic system in the UK. Specifically, DECC is intending to proceed with a requirement based on EPC level D that will apply to both domestic and non-domestic buildings. The Department has continually reiterated claims that it “wants to ensure that solar PV is considered as part of a holistic approach to carbon reductions in buildings that prioritises energy efficiency.” DECC estimates that 51 percent of all domestic properties in the UK are already rated at EPC level D or above. Around 65 percent of non-domestic buildings are estimated to be rate at EPC level D or above.
Solar Power Portal 9th Feb 2012 more >>
Solar Roundtable
In the wake of industry-changing announcements from DECC today, solar industry insiders were invited to a roundtable discussion with Greg Barker at the Department’s offices. The meeting was called to gauge industry’s reaction and explain DECC’s ambitions for solar in the UK. Speaking to an industry insider, Solar Power Portal learned that, following the announced changes to the FiT scheme, the mood inside the meeting was fairly positive with the vast majority of members welcoming the proposals put forward by DECC, with certain caveats. Of major concern for solar industry stakeholders is the dramatic cut to the generation tariff proposed in ‘Option A’ of the consultation document, that could see the domestic FiT rate drop as low as 13.6p/kWh by July of this year.
Solar Power Portal 9th Feb 2012 more >>
Predictability
The UK Government plans to make the feed-in tariff scheme for renewable energy more predictable for the future, saying the reforms “will provide greater confidence to consumers and industry investing in exciting renewable technologies such as solar power, anaerobic digestion, micro-CHP, wind and hydropower”.
Renewable Energy Focus 9th Feb 2012 more >>
‘Shambolic’, says Green MP Caroline Lucas ‘Blown it’, says Solarcentury chairman Jeremy Leggett ‘Greater certainty’, says Good Energy ceo Juliet Davenport. Green party MP Caroline Lucas has slammed the Government’s “shambolic” handling of the solar crisis, arguing the latest “shock for solar” shows the new energy secretary has “fallen at the first hurdle”.
Edie 9th Feb 2012 more >>
FiT Cuts
The UK government has confirmed plans to cut subsidies for solar panels on homes by half. But it said that previous proposals were “impractical” and has unveiled new plans to make it easier to get access to solar subsidies in the future. Friends of the Earth called the new proposals a “significant improvement” on the government’s previous offer.
BBC 9th Feb 2012 more >>
Telegraph 9th Feb 2012 more >>
Money Observer 9th Feb 2012 more >>
DECC’s Phase 2A consultation document, which outlines proposals for a new cost-control mechanism, includes a number of other options that Government is looking to introduce, namely; reducing the tariff lifetime from 25 years to 20, raising the export tariff rate and introducing a different indexation method for tariff levels.
Solar Power Portal 9th Feb 2012 more >>
New energy secretary Ed Davey has pledged to make improvements to the Feed-in tariff (FITs) scheme as the results of a public consultation into government plans to reform solar subsidies were unveiled today (February 9). According to DECC, “transparency, longevity and certainty” will be at the heart of the new improved scheme of reforms for renewables, which Mr Davey said will “provide greater confidence” to investors and consumers.
Edie 9th Feb 2012 more >>
Leith Biomass
Controversial plans to build a large power station on Leith Docks in Edinburgh have been scrapped. Forth Energy has announced they will withdraw an application for permission to build the 200MW biomass plant after two years of public opposition.
STV 9th Feb 2012 more >>
Energy Co-operative
The Westmill Solar Cooperative, which manages the Westmill Solar Farm, a 5MW solar park covering 30 acres of land across Westmill Farm, will be launching a share issue in the coming weeks. Westmill Solar Farm has been operating since July last year and is home to more than 20,000 solar modules which produce 4.4GWh of electricity per year. The project is led by Adam Twine, an organic farmer and green entrepreneur, who has embraced environmentally-friendly farming techniques and actively engaged in renewable energy generation. In 2004, Twine founded the Westmill Windfarm Cooperative, which saw five turbines installed in 2008 and is 100 percent cooperatively owned.
Solar Power Portal 8th Feb 2012 more >>
Energy Efficiency Deployment Office
Energy Efficiency Deployment Office was set up. For the first time, we’ll be able draw on the expertise of a dedicated energy efficiency team. A team with real experience and a clear job description: to help us deliver our existing policies, and find new ways to save energy, right across the economy.
DECC 8th Feb 2012 more >>
DECC Press Release 8th Feb 2012 more >>
Energy Efficiency
Newly appointed Energy and Climate Change Secretary Ed Davey will today provide new details on the government’s promised Energy Efficiency Deployment Office (EEDO) at a meeting with industry leaders. In his first set-piece speech since taking up the role of Energy and Climate Change Secretary last week, Davey will tell an audience at the The John Lewis Partnerships’ store on Sloane Square, London that energy efficiency initiatives will be central to his efforts to slash carbon emissions.
Business Green 8th Feb 2012 more >>
Solar Power Portal 8th Feb 2012 more >>
Letter Caroline Lucas: The rise in emissions from home heating is especially alarming when you consider that, by the government’s own admission, loft lagging will fall by 93% when the Green Deal starts. If we are to stand any chance of improving the efficiency of our homes and tackling fuel poverty, the new energy and climate secretary, Ed Davey, must make it a personal priority to strengthen this weak and underfunded programme so it delivers a good deal for households. The fact that a six-month shutdown of the Sizewell nuclear reactor was partly to blame for the recorded rise in emissions is yet another reason for the government to ditch its belief that nuclear can deliver the secure, reliable and low-carbon energy we need for the future. This week, the Bank of England is expected to announce a new batch of quantitative easing to the tune of £50bn or more. A new report from the Green New Deal Group and Southampton University economics professor Richard Werner, who coined the term quantitative easing, is calling for such cash to be injected into green investment to support badly needed renewable energy and energy efficiency projects. Rather than handing the money over to the banks, who then sit on it, green QE would put money into the wider economy – creating thousands of new jobs, improving energy security and tackling climate change at the same time.
Guardian 8th Feb 2012 more >>
FiT Consultation Response
Tomorrow DECC will publish its long-anticipated response to the consultation on its controversial cuts to the solar feed-in tariff rate. The document will effectively map out the future route of the solar industry; confirming future tariff rates, providing clarification on how DECC propose to link energy efficiency to the FiT and introduce proposals to establish a cost control mechanism.
Solar Power Portal 8th Feb 2012 more >>
Whitby Energy Co-op
As onshore windfarms attract more opponents, support increases for community-owned renewable energy schemes that are managed co-operatively. In Whitby, North Yorkshire, a community-owned hydro-power scheme is nearing completion following the award of a £450,000 contract to a local construction company, JN Bentley Ltd., to design and install the turbine. The scheme is exemplary not just because of its community status but because of the use of local firms and its co-operative structure, which all contribute to make it more sustainable, as well as renewable.
Energy & Environmental Management 8th Feb 2012 more >>
In Defence of Cuts
Ministers have argued that they had to act quickly to slash subsidies to small-scale solar power because the cost of panels has dropped by nearly half in the past year – much faster than the previous government envisaged when it set up the scheme. The government received fierce criticism from the solar industry and environmentalists after the cut and the decision was ruled unlawful in the courts. But ministers have argued that overly generous payments to investors who installed solar panels were in danger of draining the scheme of funds. They are expected to announce on Thursday a change to the way so-called feed-in tariffs are administered and an injection of funding for the scheme.
Guardian 8th Feb 2012 more >>
Solar Appeal
With just two days to go before Government announces the results of the feed-in tariff consultation: phase 1, Friends of the Earth (FoE) has urged the new Energy Secretary, Ed Davey, to announce steps to safeguard the 29,000 solar jobs “currently threatened by disastrous Government proposals to reform the solar subsidy scheme.”
Solar Power Portal 7th Feb 2012 more >>
Local Government
Letter various councillors: We hope Mr Davey will rebuild the relationship with local government - based on mutual respect – which was severely strained and undermined by the Department for Energy and Climate Change deciding to prematurely cut the Feed in Tariff for Solar installation. It caused industry turmoil and job losses, forcing councils to reduce or abandon long-planned investment in cheaper, cleaner energy for tens of thousands of domestic homes and public buildings. A major step in rebuilding the relationship between DECC and local government would be for Davey to instruct his department to abandon the farcical and humiliating appeal to the Supreme Court against Friends of the Earth’s successful Judicial Review, and enter dialogue with councils, business, and the environmental sector on strengthening the future of solar and renewable energy, rather than undermining.
Guardian 7th Feb 2012 more >>
Energy Savings
A recent study conducted by A Shade Greener has found that by installing solar panels a typical family in the UK could be saving on average of more than a third on their energy bills. The study, based on actual householders’ energy usage after installing solar panels, has shown that electricity bills were on average reduced by 37 percent.
Solar Power Portal 7th Feb 2012 more >>
Community Hydro
Plans to install a hydro-electric turbine to provide green energy to a community on the edge of the North York Moors National Park have taken a major step forward, after a local company won a £450,000 contract to install the Archimedes Screw generator. The Esk Energy Group, a non-profit company set up by community organisation Esk Valley Community Energy Group, last week confirmed that it has commissioned JN Bentley to install a 50kw device in the River Esk, Ruswarp, in April.
Business Green 7th Feb 2012 more >>
New Minister
The new secretary of state for energy and climate change has been urged to end an ongoing legal battle over government plans to rush through solar feed-in tariff cuts, after Chris Huhne stepped down from his post to fight criminal charges.
Business Green 6th Feb 2012 more >>
Misleading Warning
Renewable Energy Assurances Ltd (REAL) is warnings its members against misleading customers about solar photovoltaic (PV) feed-in tariff guarantees in the UK amongst the current uncertainty.
Renewable Energy Focus 6th Feb 2012 more >>
Scottish Efficiency
SCOTS who do not insulate their homes should be forced to pay higher council tax or face increased stamp duty on their property, according to a leading figure in the sector. Alex McLeod, chairman of the Association for the Conservation of Energy, told The Scotsman he thinks “sticks” as well as “carrots” are needed to encourage people to conserve energy in their homes. He blamed “apathy” for low rates of use of insulation in Scotland and said other European countries were far better at conserving energy. And he suggested penalising people for not insulating their walls and lofts by putting up their council tax or increasing stamp duty linked to the property would force homeowners to take action. However, his views were met with a furious response from groups, who argued that at a time of austerity it would be wrong to penalise already struggling householders. The TaxPayers’ Alliance branded the ideas “outrageous”, and even Friends of the Earth Scotland disagreed, saying the Scottish Government should instead pay for everyone to have free insulation.
Scotsman 4th Feb 2012 more >>
GIVEN how badly most of our homes leak energy, it is perhaps not surprising that our housing stock is responsible for a quarter of Scotland’s climate emissions and, coupled with rising energy bills, that a third of Scottish households are now in fuel poverty. With most of us living in houses that are still going to be here in 2050, we need a co-ordinated programme to transform these properties into energy-efficient, low-carbon homes of the future. Despite efforts to date, we are a long way from exhausting many of the easy improvement measures. More than a million lofts in Scotland still have insufficient insulation and half a million cavity walls suitable for insulation have yet to be filled, despite these being very cost-effective and relatively easy options.
Scotsman 4th Feb 2012 more >>
Plymouth Solar
The Tamar View Community Centre in Plymouth is set for a solar makeover after a planning application was submitted to Plymouth City Council in order to gain permission to install solar panels on the centre’s roof.The application outlines plans for 52 modules to be mounted on the centre’s split-level flat roof, totalling 9.88kWp of installed capacity. The array is expected to generate 8,236kWh of electricity per annum. Currently, the centre consumes 38,000kWh of electricity per year. The proposed installation would cut the centre’s electricity bills by a fifth and would save annual emissions of four tonnes of CO2 from being emitted into the atmosphere.
Solar Power Portal 3rd Feb 2012 more >>
Manchester Solar
Strategic Energy has completed 400 of a planned 700 solar installations for Manchester-based landlord, St Vincent’s Housing Association. The tenants living in the solar-clad houses will benefit from free renewable electricity while the landlord takes the feed-in tariff payments. Strategic Energy’s Director, Martin Davidson, said: “St Vincent’s Housing Association forged ahead with their PV programme by taking advantage of our pure equity FiT model that is viable at the 21p rate.
Solar Power Portal 3rd Feb 2012 more >>