The year is only a month old, but it’s got off to a good start for SolarUK as the team at the Sussex-based solar energy company has been inundated with enquiries from householders wishing to install solar photovoltaic (PV) panels.
These potential microgenerators are aiming to take advantage of the Government’s Clean Energy Cash Back scheme. From April this year, solar photovoltaic (PV) owners will be offered fixed payments from their electricity suppliers for every kilowatt hour the system generates, with a guaranteed price for any surplus energy exported to the grid.
With the Government’s finalized plans, announced this week, giving investors in solar PV a higher tariff rate than that originally proposed, there looks set to be no let-up in the volume of calls coming SolarUK’s way.
These feed-in tariffs form a significant component of the Low Carbon Transition Plan, which aims to turn the UK into a low-carbon economy. At its core are legally-binding, five-year carbon budgets within which government departments will have to stay, much like financial budgets. The target is a 34% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020. Although cars, businesses and farming will be affected by measure, half the reduction will come from clean energy generation.
While solar thermal microgeneration is not included in the feed-in tariff, this proven renewable technology will be covered by the Renewable Heat Incentive( RHI). The consultation process for this started last week and will last until 26th April, with the scheme kicking off in April 2011.
It will guarantee long-term payments to microgenerators operating at all scales, from private households to industrial processes in large factories. Tariff levels have been calculated to close the financial gap between the cost of conventional and renewable heat systems.
Precise details for financing the scheme will be unveiled in this year’s Budget, but in the meantime demand for SolarUK’s award-winning LaZer2 solar hot water system looks sure to grow, mirroring the growth of enthusiasm for solar PV, as the RHI commencement date draws nearer.
