The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) has announced that it's official deployment figures for the period from the 1st May 2012 to the 31st July 2012 are available to the public. This announcement is particularly significant, as it is these figures that will determine what the solar Feed-in Tariff rates are from November.
DECC has split installations into 3 size-based categories. Domestic scale installations (0-10kW), have totalled 164MW of capacity in the 3 month period. This falls within the 100-200MW threshold and so a 3.5% reduction will be implemented on the two tariff bands within this category. ≤4kW installations will receive 15.44p per kWh produced (down from 16p) and the >4-10kW rate will be 13.99p (down from 14.5p) from November 1st.
Small commercial installations (10-50kW) hit 57MW. The threshold here was just 50MW and so a 3.5% degression will also affect these tariff rates. As of November, the >10-50kW FIT rate will be 13.03p/kWh down from 13.5p.
The final category, large commercial installations (50kW-5MW), capacity only reached 14MW, which is less than the degression threshold. As a result the tariffs for larger installations will remain untouched, at least until February 2013.
Urban Energy
We are an innovative organisation specialising in the financing, design and installation of economical and environmentally sound green energy solutions for homes and businesses in the South West.
We only install products that lead the way within the renewable energy industry and that are renowned for their high quality and ecologically sound production. This reflects our own high standards and quality assurance.
We understand that introducing a renewable energy system i.e solar panels, to either your home or business is an investment that lasts for many years. With our in-house installation team and electrical division, it is our promise to you the customer, that your satisfaction and peace of mind throughout this period is our number one priority.
The Granary, Phillips Lane, Stratford-sub-Castle, Salisbury SP1 3YR
Tel: 0800 2321624
Email: info@urbanenergy.org.uk
Showing posts with label DECC. Show all posts
Showing posts with label DECC. Show all posts
Thursday, 13 September 2012
Friday, 30 March 2012
UK government loses Supreme Court case against solar feed-in tariffs
The UK government’s doomed case against the challenge to its
planned cuts of solar feed-in tariffs has been rejected by the Supreme Court.
The last ditch attempt by the government to overthrow
previous decisions by the High Court and the Court of Appeal that its action to
cut solar feed-in tariffs during the consultation period as “legally flawed”
failed on Friday 23 March 2012.
The Supreme Court’s rejection of the government’s appeal
marks the end of the legal wrangle and leaves the thousands of homeowners and
businesses who installed solar panels after the 12 December cut-off date and
before 3 March better off.
The lucky ones will now receive the higher FIT rate of 43.3p
per kWh, instead of the lower rate of 21p.
Energy and Climate Change Secretary Ed Davey said he was
“disappointed” that the Supreme Court did not to grant permission to hear the
case, but said that the ruling “draws a line under the case”, which was
instigated by his predecessor Chris Huhne.
“We will now focus all our efforts on ensuring the future
stability and cost effectiveness of solar and other microgeneration
technologies for the many, not the few,” he said.
Andy Atkins, the executive director of Friends of the Earth, which
brought the challenge along with other solar installers, welcomed the ruling
that the government’s “botched… solar plans are illegal”.
“[The] landmark decision which will prevent ministers
causing industry chaos with similar subsidy cuts in future,” he added. “The
Coalition must now get on with the urgent task of restoring confidence in UK
solar power.”
For further information about Urban Energy products and services:
Call: 0800 232 1624
Email: info@urbanenergy.org.uk
Website: http://www.urbanenergy.org.uk/
Wednesday, 25 January 2012
UK Government Loses Court Appeal
The government has lost its appeal against a
judge's ruling that its cuts to solar power subsidies were illegal,
suggesting thousands of homes and businesses will now be able to claim the
higher payments.
Three court of appeal judges unanimously rejected the appeal
from Chris Huhne, the secretary of state at the Department
of Energy and Climate Change (DECC), who said he would be taking the
case on to the supreme court. "We want to maximise the number of installations
that are possible within the available budget rather than use available money
to pay a higher tariff to half the number of installations," he said.
The decision to prolong the uncertainty that has seen the
number of solar panel installations fall since 12 December and was immediately
condemned by opponents of the cuts. Green party MP Caroline Lucas said:
"Having lost twice in the courts and been roundly humiliated over the
shambolic handling of solar policy, it is absolutely beggars belief that Huhne
is planning to appeal to the supreme court."
The government announced proposed cuts to the solar feed-in
tariff payments in October but in December, a high court judge ruled that
the government's handling of the cuts was "legally flawed", after a
challenge by a coalition of solar installation companies and Friends of the
Earth.
On 19 January, the government said that if it lost the legal
case, it would fund the higher rate payments for any panels installed by 3
March, which would affect about 3,700 homes and businesses. A DECC spokeswoman
said: "We totally appreciate the uncertainty in the solar industry and
hopefully the 3 March date will provide some certainty."
DECC's legal fees have cost taxpayers £58,000 so far, though
this does not include the costs of their opponents, which the appeal court said
DECC must also pay.
The court of appeal refused permission for Huhne to seek a
hearing in the supreme court, but this does not prevent the secretary of state
going directly to the higher court. He has 28 days to lodge permission to
appeal. Some campaigners have suggested this continued uncertainty may reduce
the number of new installations, and therefore reduce the number eligible for
the higher feed-in-tariff if the government ultimately loses its case.
John Cridland, director-general of the CBI, said: "The
judgment should be used to draw a line under this saga, which saw the
government scoring a spectacular own goal."
Gaynor Hartnell, chief executive of the Renewable Energy
Association, said the rejection of the appeal prevented a precedent being set
which would allowed the government to make retrospective policy changes in
future. "The government is well aware that it would be incredibly unwise
to reduce payments to renewable energy producers after they had commissioned
their projects, as it knows what immense damage that would do," she said.
The judgment stated: "The question [is] whether
parliament conferred a power [to DECC] to make a modification with such a
retrospective effect. It did not."
The cuts proposed in October – from 43.3p per kWh of energy
generated to 21p – prompted a furious backlash, with the main complaint being
the speed of the changes, which were designed to come into effect just six
weeks later, on 12 December. Critics also drew attention to the fact that the
consultation did not end until 23 December – over a week after the changes were
proposed to take place.
In December, a cross-party group of MPs said in a strongly
worded report that the reductions were "clumsily handled", had
threatened jobs and could have dealt a fatal blow to the scheme, because the
changes required homes to meet the C-rated energy efficiency standard before
becoming eligible for the solar feed-in tariff.
Urban Energy
Urban Energy are delighted that nearly half the population
would like to install renewable energy technologies; what worries us is the
lack of awareness surrounding it. To bridge the Green Gap it’s essential we
continue to educate consumers and break down some of the myths surrounding the
Green Deal, energy efficiency and microgeneration.
Urban Energy has earned a reputation as the south’s leading
renewable energy specialist. This has been achieved by ensuring that from the
initial point of client contact we offer 1st class customer service and care.
We only install products that lead the way within the
renewable energy industry and that are renowned for their high quality and
ecologically sound production. This reflects our own high standards and quality
assurance.
We understand that introducing a renewable energy system to
either your home or business is an investment that lasts for many years. With
our in-house electrical and plumbing division it is our promise to you the
customer that your satisfaction and peace of mind throughout this period is our
number one priority.
For further information about Urban Energy products and
services:
Call: 0800 232 1624
Email: info@urbanenergy.org.uk
Website: http://www.urbanenergy.org.uk/
Court of Appeal Rejects Solar Feed In Challenge
The Government has failed to overturn a decision to
block its attempts to reduce solar feed-in-tariffs.
The Court of Appeals today confirmed that it had rejected
the Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) challenge to a High Court
ruling that its move to halve feed-in-tariffs were illegal.
However the Government has already confirmed that it will
next seek to approach the Supreme Court in an attempt to introduce a new tariff,
saying that current levels are unsustainable.
The feed-in tariff (FiTs) scheme- which pays households with
solar panels for the electricity they produce currently pays just over 43p per
kilowatt-hour generated. However the Government is concerned that the FiTs
scheme has already exceeded its budget for the year and wanted to introduce a
new tariff of 21p per kilowatt-hour for all solar panels installed after
December 12, 2011.
The on-going challenge to the rulings means that homeowners
and the solar industry alike cannot know what rate of incentive they will be
able to claim.
Environmentalists and the solar industry had lead a
challenge against the cuts, claiming that it threatens industry jobs and
jeopardises the Government’s claim to be the ‘greenest’ ever.
Solar panels are particularly popular with electric car
drivers as they can often mean drivers can recharge for free using their own
green electricity.
Welcoming the news of the rejected challenge to the FiTs
rate, Friends of the Earth’s Executive Director Andy Atkins said: "This
landmark judgement confirms that devastating Government plans to rush through
cuts to solar payments are illegal – and will prevent Ministers from causing
industry chaos with similar cuts in future. ”
"Helping more people to plug into clean British energy
will help protect cash-strapped households from soaring fuel bills."
Urban Energy are delighted that nearly half the population would like to install renewable energy technologies; what worries us is the lack of awareness surrounding it. To bridge the Green Gap it’s essential we continue to educate consumers and break down some of the myths surrounding the Green Deal, energy efficiency and microgeneration.
Urban Energy has earned a reputation as the south’s leading renewable energy specialist. This has been achieved by ensuring that from the initial point of client contact we offer 1st class customer service and care.
We only install products that lead the way within the renewable energy industry and that are renowned for their high quality and ecologically sound production. This reflects our own high standards and quality assurance.
We understand that introducing a renewable energy system to either your home or business is an investment that lasts for many years. With our in-house electrical and plumbing division it is our promise to you the customer that your satisfaction and peace of mind throughout this period is our number one priority.
For further information about Urban Energy products and services:
Call: 0800 232 1624
Email: info@urbanenergy.org.uk
Website: http://www.urbanenergy.org.uk/
Wednesday, 7 December 2011
Solar panel supporters given slither of hope in battle to stop cuts to feed-in tariff scheme
Supporters of Britain's hugely generous solar panel subsidy
scheme were thrown a lifeline today after the High Court agreed to hear an
application for permission to challenge a decision that would see it scaled
back.
Friends of the Earth and two solar companies will argue
their case at a hearing on Thursday 15 December.
An earlier High Court ruling, on 25 November, rejected
permission for a legal challenge.
But FoE will argue again that the Government's decision to
dramatically reduce the amount paid by 'feed-in tariffs' - on 12 December - is
unlawful because the Government is currently running a consultation into the
system that will not end until 23 December.
It will also ask the court to cap its potential legal costs
for the case because, it says, international rules specify that costs should be
limited in public interest cases on the environment.
Andy Atkins, FoE director, said: 'We strongly believe
Government plans to abruptly slash solar subsidies are illegal, we hope the
High Court agrees to allow our case to be heard as soon as possible.
'In a time of economic gloom, the solar industry has been
one of the UK's brightest success stories, enabling homes and communities
across the country to free themselves from expensive fossil fuels.'
More than 14,000 households registered for the scheme in
October, the last time full figures were published, taking the total to 90,000.
It compares with just 2,000 home registering in October 2010.
But November's full-month figures are expected to show
another 40,000 households have taken advantage of the scheme, taking the total
to 130,000.
Changes to the scheme were announced on 31 October, sparking
a rush to beat the 12 December deadline.
Urban Energy are delighted that nearly half the population would like to install renewable energy technologies; what worries us is the lack of awareness surrounding it. To bridge the Green Gap it’s essential we continue to educate consumers and break down some of the myths surrounding the Green Deal, energy efficiency and microgeneration.
Urban Energy has earned a reputation as the south’s leading renewable energy specialist. This has been achieved by ensuring that from the initial point of client contact we offer 1st class customer service and care.
We only install products that lead the way within the renewable energy industry and that are renowned for their high quality and ecologically sound production. This reflects our own high standards and quality assurance.
We understand that introducing a renewable energy system to either your home or business is an investment that lasts for many years. With our in-house electrical and plumbing division it is our promise to you the customer that your satisfaction and peace of mind throughout this period is our number one priority.
For further information about Urban Energy products and services:
Call: 0800 232 1624
Email: info@urbanenergy.org.uk
Website: http://www.urbanenergy.org.uk/
Monday, 31 October 2011
FITs Review - Consultation
On 7 February 2011, the Government announced the first comprehensive
review of the Feed-in tariffs (FITs) scheme for small-scale low-carbon
electricity generation.
A principal objective of the review was to determine how the efficiency of FITs will be improved to deliver £40 million of savings, around 10%, in 2014/15.
A consultation has now been launched on Phase I and will run until 23 December 2011.
The proposals are subject to an eight-week consultation period. If implemented, they would introduce a new tariff for schemes up to 4kW in size of 21.0p/kWh – down from the current 43.3p/kWh. Reduced rates are also proposed for schemes between 4kW and 250kW, to ensure that those schemes receive a consistent rate of return. The table of proposed tariffs is below.
Under the proposals, the new tariffs would apply to all new solar PV installations with an eligibility date on or after 12 December 2011. Such installations would receive the current tariff before moving to the lower tariffs on 1 April 2012. Consumers who already receive a FIT will see their existing payments unchanged, and those with an eligibility date on or before 11 December 2011 will receive the current rate. Click on the link to take part in the consultation:
consultation
We understand that introducing a renewable energy system to either your home or business is an investment that lasts for many years. With our in-house electrical and plumbing division it is our promise to you the customer that your satisfaction and peace of mind throughout this period is our number one priority.
For further information about Urban Energy products and services:
A principal objective of the review was to determine how the efficiency of FITs will be improved to deliver £40 million of savings, around 10%, in 2014/15.
A consultation has now been launched on Phase I and will run until 23 December 2011.
The proposals are subject to an eight-week consultation period. If implemented, they would introduce a new tariff for schemes up to 4kW in size of 21.0p/kWh – down from the current 43.3p/kWh. Reduced rates are also proposed for schemes between 4kW and 250kW, to ensure that those schemes receive a consistent rate of return. The table of proposed tariffs is below.
| Band (kW) | Current (p/kWh) | Proposed (p/kWh) |
|---|---|---|
| ≤4kW (new build) | 37.8 | 21.0 |
| ≤4kW (retrofit) | 43.3 | 21.0 |
| >4-10kW | 37.8 | 16.8 |
| >10-50kW | 32.9 | 15.2 |
| >50-100kW | 19 | 12.9 |
| >100-150kW | 19 | 12.9 |
| >150-250kW | 15 | 12.9 |
| >250kW-5MW | 8.5 | 8.5* |
| stand alone | 8.5 | 8.5* |
Under the proposals, the new tariffs would apply to all new solar PV installations with an eligibility date on or after 12 December 2011. Such installations would receive the current tariff before moving to the lower tariffs on 1 April 2012. Consumers who already receive a FIT will see their existing payments unchanged, and those with an eligibility date on or before 11 December 2011 will receive the current rate. Click on the link to take part in the consultation:
consultation
Urban Energy
Urban Energy are delighted that nearly half the population would like to install renewable energy technologies; what worries us is the lack of awareness surrounding it. To bridge the Green Gap it’s essential we continue to educate consumers and break down some of the myths surrounding the Green Deal, energy efficiency and microgeneration.
Urban Energy has earned a reputation as the south’s leading renewable energy specialist. This has been achieved by ensuring that from the initial point of client contact we offer 1st class customer service and care.
Urban Energy are delighted that nearly half the population would like to install renewable energy technologies; what worries us is the lack of awareness surrounding it. To bridge the Green Gap it’s essential we continue to educate consumers and break down some of the myths surrounding the Green Deal, energy efficiency and microgeneration.
Urban Energy has earned a reputation as the south’s leading renewable energy specialist. This has been achieved by ensuring that from the initial point of client contact we offer 1st class customer service and care.
We
only install products that lead the way within the renewable energy
industry and that are renowned for their high quality and ecologically
sound production. This reflects our own high standards and quality
assurance.
We understand that introducing a renewable energy system to either your home or business is an investment that lasts for many years. With our in-house electrical and plumbing division it is our promise to you the customer that your satisfaction and peace of mind throughout this period is our number one priority.
For further information about Urban Energy products and services:
Call: 0800 232 1624
Email: info@urbanenergy.org.uk
Website: http://www.urbanenergy.org.uk/
Sunday, 4 September 2011
Renewable Heat Incentive - Local Authority Funding
Details of the new Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme have been published.
The incentive, which is the first of its kind in the world, will
encourage the installation of renewable heat equipment such as solar
thermal technologies, biomass boilers and heat pumps. It will be funded
from general Government funding, not through the previously proposed RHI
levy.
Phase 1
From July 2011, the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) tariffs for non-domestic installations in the industrial, business and public sector were introduced. There will also be support of around £15 million for households through the RHI Premium Payment from July 2011. In return for the payments, participants will have to provide feedback on how the equipment performs in practice.Phase 2
From October 2012, RHI tariffs for domestic properties will become available at the same time as the introduction of the Green Deal. Anyone in receipt of Renewable Heat Premium Payments will be eligible for the RHI, as will anybody who has installed an eligible technology since 15 July 2009.The RHI Premium Payment
Up to 25,000 installations from July will be supported by a 'RHI Premium Payment' to help cover the purchase price. Eligibility criteria for the payments will include:- A fair spread of technologies across all regions of Great Britain.
- A well insulated home based on its Energy Performance Certificate.
- A focus on properties off the gas grid, where heating fuels such as heating oil are more expensive and have a higher carbon content.
- Agreement from the householder to monitor the performance of installations.
| Technology | Likely level of support (per unit) |
| Solar thermal | £300 |
| Air source heat pumps | £850 |
| Biomass boilers | £950 |
| Ground source heat pumps | £1250 |
Full details of the RHI Premium Payment were published in May 2011. Due to State Aid rules there may be limits to how the Premium Payment is applied to social landlords.
RHI tariffs - domestic
RHI payments will start for homes alongside the Green Deal in 2012 to allow for a more whole-house approach to heat production and energy saving. The Department for Energy and Climate Change will consult on the RHI tariffs later in the year.Those who have taken up the RHI Premium Payment will be eligible for RHI tariffs, as will anyone else who has had eligible equipment installed since July 2009 (exceptions apply if a grant has been received which contributed to the direct costs of an installation).
In order to receive support, local authorities and housing associations will need to be the owner of the installation and retain the rights and liabilities of the equipment.
RHI tariffs - non-domestic
Biomass, ground source, water source, solar thermal and biomethane projects in the non-domestic sector that have been installed since July 2009 in Great Britain will be eligible for RHI payments from July 2011. The payments will be made quarterly over a 20 year period to the owner of the heat installation.A non-domestic installation is a renewable heat unit in a building which is not used as a domestic premises. This includes office buildings, schools and district heating schemes (e.g. one boiler serving multiple homes).
The support that an installation receives will be fixed and adjusted annually with inflation. For more details, see the RHI tariffs for non-domestic installations.
Applying for support
Applications for support will need to be made to Ofgem once the scheme is launched and open for business.Further information
For further information, see the Department for Energy and Climate Change websiteUrban Energy
Urban Energy has earned a reputation as the south’s leading renewable energy specialist. This has been achieved by ensuring that from the initial point of client contact we offer 1st class customer service and care.
We
only install products that lead the way within the renewable energy
industry and that are renowned for their high quality and ecologically
sound production. This reflects our own high standards and quality
assurance.
We
understand that introducing a renewable energy system to either your
home or business is an investment that lasts for many years. With our
in-house electrical and plumbing division it is our promise to you the
customer that your satisfaction and peace of mind throughout this period
is our number one priority.
For further information about Urban Energy products and services:
Call: 0800 232 1624
Email: info@urbanenergy.org.uk
Website: http://www.urbanenergy.org.uk/
Wednesday, 20 October 2010
Comprehensive Spending Review Summary
Chancellor George Osborne stood up in the House of Commons at 12.30pm today to detail the coalition Government's Comprehensive Spending Review. Some key points:
The efficiency of feed-in tariffs will be improved at the next formal review, rebalancing them in favour of more cost effective carbon abatement technologies. This will save £40 million in 2014-15. Support for lower value innovation and technology projects will also be reduced, saving £70 million a year on average over the Spending Review period.
Therefore feed-in tariffs will be refocused on the most cost-effective technologies in 2014-15. The changes will be implemented at the first scheduled review of tariffs unless higher than expected deployment requires an early review.
The Renewable Energy Association’s (REA) PV Specialist Consultant, Ray Noble said of the review, “This is excellent news for the UK solar industry. It’s exactly what the market needs in order to fulfill its fantastic potential. The outcome of today’s review could not have been better.”
The review also outlined that over one billion pounds will be set aside for the Green Investment Bank, however the Chancellor said that he hopes much more will be invested from private sector and future government asset sales. By injecting such an amount into this bank, the coalition hopes to create jobs and reduce carbon emissions in order to meet the country’s 2050 emissions targets.
The government will also go ahead with the planned Green Deal, which has no upfront cost to homeowners, thus scrapping Warm Front, which spent £280m a year on improving energy efficiency for poorer households.
The Renewable Heat Incentive, funded from AME, will be introduced as planned from 2011-12. This will ensure the UK meets its 2020 renewable energy targets while making efficiency savings of 20%, or £105 million a year, by 2014-15 compared with the previous Government’s plans.
The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) settlement includes:
- Up to £1 billion of investment to create one of the world’s first commercial scale carbon capture and storage (CCS) demonstration plants;
- Over £200 million for the development of low carbon technologies including offshore wind technology and manufacturing at port sites;
- Increased incentives for low carbon energy generation through the Renewable Heat Incentive;
- Enabling households to improve the energy efficiency of their homes at no upfront cost through a Green Deal; and
- Overall savings within DECC’s core resource budget of 30% in real terms by 2014-15, including through cutting lower value projects and focusing on key priorities.
The Spending Review settlement enables DECC to prioritise spending in areas where it can have most impact. For example, new low carbon technologies have the potential to contribute to growth as well as to emissions reductions. The Chancellor also announced that next month, the DECC will outline its reform plan for the next four years.
URBAN ENERGY
Our mission: “To provide and install, sustainable, world class, clean energy products with the highest level of service and care.
"Urban Energy is an innovative organisation specialising in the financing, design and installation of economic and environmentally sound solar powered energy systems for commercial property (private and public) and domestic dwellings. Our expertise in the field of Government incentive schemes and solar power products will provide individuals and organisations with an excellent opportunity to overcome capital cost barriers, save money on energy bills, increase profit margins, increase the value of their property and reduce their carbon footprint.
Urban Energy employ the very best engineers in this field, all of which are fully qualified, MCS certified and Government approved to carry out this task, complying with strict guidelines and are members of the Solar Trade Association.
For further information about Urban Energy products and services:
Call: 0800 232 1624
Email: info@urbanenergy.org.uk
Website: http://www.urbanenergy.org.uk/
The efficiency of feed-in tariffs will be improved at the next formal review, rebalancing them in favour of more cost effective carbon abatement technologies. This will save £40 million in 2014-15. Support for lower value innovation and technology projects will also be reduced, saving £70 million a year on average over the Spending Review period.
Therefore feed-in tariffs will be refocused on the most cost-effective technologies in 2014-15. The changes will be implemented at the first scheduled review of tariffs unless higher than expected deployment requires an early review.
The Renewable Energy Association’s (REA) PV Specialist Consultant, Ray Noble said of the review, “This is excellent news for the UK solar industry. It’s exactly what the market needs in order to fulfill its fantastic potential. The outcome of today’s review could not have been better.”
The review also outlined that over one billion pounds will be set aside for the Green Investment Bank, however the Chancellor said that he hopes much more will be invested from private sector and future government asset sales. By injecting such an amount into this bank, the coalition hopes to create jobs and reduce carbon emissions in order to meet the country’s 2050 emissions targets.
The government will also go ahead with the planned Green Deal, which has no upfront cost to homeowners, thus scrapping Warm Front, which spent £280m a year on improving energy efficiency for poorer households.
The Renewable Heat Incentive, funded from AME, will be introduced as planned from 2011-12. This will ensure the UK meets its 2020 renewable energy targets while making efficiency savings of 20%, or £105 million a year, by 2014-15 compared with the previous Government’s plans.
The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) settlement includes:
- Up to £1 billion of investment to create one of the world’s first commercial scale carbon capture and storage (CCS) demonstration plants;
- Over £200 million for the development of low carbon technologies including offshore wind technology and manufacturing at port sites;
- Increased incentives for low carbon energy generation through the Renewable Heat Incentive;
- Enabling households to improve the energy efficiency of their homes at no upfront cost through a Green Deal; and
- Overall savings within DECC’s core resource budget of 30% in real terms by 2014-15, including through cutting lower value projects and focusing on key priorities.
The Spending Review settlement enables DECC to prioritise spending in areas where it can have most impact. For example, new low carbon technologies have the potential to contribute to growth as well as to emissions reductions. The Chancellor also announced that next month, the DECC will outline its reform plan for the next four years.
URBAN ENERGY
Our mission: “To provide and install, sustainable, world class, clean energy products with the highest level of service and care.
"Urban Energy is an innovative organisation specialising in the financing, design and installation of economic and environmentally sound solar powered energy systems for commercial property (private and public) and domestic dwellings. Our expertise in the field of Government incentive schemes and solar power products will provide individuals and organisations with an excellent opportunity to overcome capital cost barriers, save money on energy bills, increase profit margins, increase the value of their property and reduce their carbon footprint.
Urban Energy employ the very best engineers in this field, all of which are fully qualified, MCS certified and Government approved to carry out this task, complying with strict guidelines and are members of the Solar Trade Association.
For further information about Urban Energy products and services:
Call: 0800 232 1624
Email: info@urbanenergy.org.uk
Website: http://www.urbanenergy.org.uk/
Sunday, 10 October 2010
Feed-in tariff scheme proves to be a success
The government's feed-in tariff scheme has already got thousands of people generating their own green electricity.
When the government launched the feed-in tariff scheme in April it was one of a range of policies aimed at inducing people to improve the eco-credentials of their homes.
Now, just five months later, an Ofgem report has revealed that almost 10,000 people have signed up to the scheme, including those that were already using microgeneration technology to power their homes before it started.
Explained simply, the feed-in tariff scheme pays those who generate their own green electricity, even if they don't sell it back to the National Grid. If households do choose to export their electricity then they will be awarded with extra payments.
Energy suppliers pay a certain amount per kilowatt hour (kw/h) of power generated, which remains at a constant level for 20 years, or 25 years if the power is generated from solar power. A further 3p per kw/h will also be paid for any electricity which is sold back to the grid.
This has the two-fold benefit of bringing in added income and reducing household energy bills.
The aim of the scheme was to encourage more people to install microgeneration technology, which is capable of producing small amounts of green electricity. This will in turn increase the amount of energy in the UK being produced by renewable energy sources and reduce the country's carbon emissions.
Figures from the Ofgem report show that in total, £182,059 has been paid out to UK households through the feed-in tariffs. Overall, 9,350 people are now signed up to the scheme.
Nick Medic, head of communications at RenewableUK, said earlier this year that the feed-in tariffs are "revolutionary".
"What the feed-in tariff does is it really simplifies the way in which people can benefit from renewable energy," he explained.
Looking at the electricity generation in terms of installed capacity, photovoltaic (PV) solar panels are leading the way with 44 per cent of the share. Solar panels also account for a huge 97 per cent of all installations.
Solar PV technology uses cells to convert the sun's rays into electricity, without requiring direct sunlight, which means it continues to generate power even on a cloudy day. According to the National Home Improvement Show, a typical system can add five per cent to a property's value and generate £700 a year under the feed-in tariff scheme.
Wind turbines provide the next highest proportion of installed power at 35 per cent, followed by hydro at 21 per cent.
It's not just homeowners that are looking to benefit from the feed-in tariff scheme either. Domestic dwellings make up the highest single proportion of installed capacity at 46 per cent, but there are also high numbers of commercial and community projects registered with the scheme.
Stuart Pocock, technical director at the Renewable Energy Association, said that more commercial enterprises are showing interest.
"Obviously it's slightly different for the commercial sector because there is still planning permission needed and there are more hoops to jump through, but the feedback we're getting is that yes, it is appearing to be of interest for certain parts of the market," he explained.
If you're thinking about joining in with the feed-in tariff scheme then there are a number of steps that should be followed.
Firstly, you should make sure that your home complies with all basic existing energy-efficiency measures. You should then decide which technology is best suited for your home and select an installer that is registered with the Microgeneration Certification Scheme.
Once the technology is installed, give your certificate of eligibility to your energy supplier, which will cross reference your details with a central database, and install a new meter to read how much power the technology is generating.
The feed-in tariff is, of course, still in its infancy, but if the success of the similar scheme in Germany is anything to go by, the initiative is only likely to grow in popularity.
URBAN ENERGY
Our mission: “To provide and install, sustainable, world class, clean energy products with the highest level of service and care."
Urban Energy is an innovative organisation specialising in the financing, design and installation of economic and environmentally sound solar powered energy systems for commercial property (private and public) and domestic dwellings. Our expertise in the field of Government sponsored funding programmes and solar power products will provide individuals and organisations with an excellent opportunity to overcome capital cost barriers, save money on energy bills, increase profit margins, increase the value of their property and reduce their carbon footprint.
Urban Energy employ the very best engineers in this field, all of which are fully qualified, MCS certified and Government approved to carry out this task, complying with strict guidelines and are members of the Solar Trade Association.
For further information about Urban Energy products and services:
Call: 0800 232 1624
Email: info@urbanenergy.org.uk
Website: http://www.urbanenergy.org.uk/
When the government launched the feed-in tariff scheme in April it was one of a range of policies aimed at inducing people to improve the eco-credentials of their homes.
Now, just five months later, an Ofgem report has revealed that almost 10,000 people have signed up to the scheme, including those that were already using microgeneration technology to power their homes before it started.
Explained simply, the feed-in tariff scheme pays those who generate their own green electricity, even if they don't sell it back to the National Grid. If households do choose to export their electricity then they will be awarded with extra payments.
Energy suppliers pay a certain amount per kilowatt hour (kw/h) of power generated, which remains at a constant level for 20 years, or 25 years if the power is generated from solar power. A further 3p per kw/h will also be paid for any electricity which is sold back to the grid.
This has the two-fold benefit of bringing in added income and reducing household energy bills.
The aim of the scheme was to encourage more people to install microgeneration technology, which is capable of producing small amounts of green electricity. This will in turn increase the amount of energy in the UK being produced by renewable energy sources and reduce the country's carbon emissions.
Figures from the Ofgem report show that in total, £182,059 has been paid out to UK households through the feed-in tariffs. Overall, 9,350 people are now signed up to the scheme.
Nick Medic, head of communications at RenewableUK, said earlier this year that the feed-in tariffs are "revolutionary".
"What the feed-in tariff does is it really simplifies the way in which people can benefit from renewable energy," he explained.
Looking at the electricity generation in terms of installed capacity, photovoltaic (PV) solar panels are leading the way with 44 per cent of the share. Solar panels also account for a huge 97 per cent of all installations.
Solar PV technology uses cells to convert the sun's rays into electricity, without requiring direct sunlight, which means it continues to generate power even on a cloudy day. According to the National Home Improvement Show, a typical system can add five per cent to a property's value and generate £700 a year under the feed-in tariff scheme.
Wind turbines provide the next highest proportion of installed power at 35 per cent, followed by hydro at 21 per cent.
It's not just homeowners that are looking to benefit from the feed-in tariff scheme either. Domestic dwellings make up the highest single proportion of installed capacity at 46 per cent, but there are also high numbers of commercial and community projects registered with the scheme.
Stuart Pocock, technical director at the Renewable Energy Association, said that more commercial enterprises are showing interest.
"Obviously it's slightly different for the commercial sector because there is still planning permission needed and there are more hoops to jump through, but the feedback we're getting is that yes, it is appearing to be of interest for certain parts of the market," he explained.
If you're thinking about joining in with the feed-in tariff scheme then there are a number of steps that should be followed.
Firstly, you should make sure that your home complies with all basic existing energy-efficiency measures. You should then decide which technology is best suited for your home and select an installer that is registered with the Microgeneration Certification Scheme.
Once the technology is installed, give your certificate of eligibility to your energy supplier, which will cross reference your details with a central database, and install a new meter to read how much power the technology is generating.
The feed-in tariff is, of course, still in its infancy, but if the success of the similar scheme in Germany is anything to go by, the initiative is only likely to grow in popularity.
URBAN ENERGY
Our mission: “To provide and install, sustainable, world class, clean energy products with the highest level of service and care."
Urban Energy is an innovative organisation specialising in the financing, design and installation of economic and environmentally sound solar powered energy systems for commercial property (private and public) and domestic dwellings. Our expertise in the field of Government sponsored funding programmes and solar power products will provide individuals and organisations with an excellent opportunity to overcome capital cost barriers, save money on energy bills, increase profit margins, increase the value of their property and reduce their carbon footprint.
Urban Energy employ the very best engineers in this field, all of which are fully qualified, MCS certified and Government approved to carry out this task, complying with strict guidelines and are members of the Solar Trade Association.
For further information about Urban Energy products and services:
Call: 0800 232 1624
Email: info@urbanenergy.org.uk
Website: http://www.urbanenergy.org.uk/
Thursday, 19 August 2010
A hundred days of the 'greenest-ever' government
In an era when everything environmental - including biodiversity, waste, and fish stocks - is measured with indicators announcing that you will be the UK's "greenest-ever government", begs a number of questions - most obviously, "measured how?"
If you preside over a fall in greenhouse gas emissions while seeing numbers of farmland birds tumble, for example, how should those two trends be balanced against each other? Which is more important in assessing whether you are the "greenest ever"?
For many in the climate field, the coalition government began with a positive bang, by announcing it would not support the construction of a new runway at Heathrow Airport.
This had become a symbolic indicator of whether government was prepared to fight the green corner against business interests.
But it was also a simple measure by which the Conservatives and Lib Dems could distance themselves from their Labour predecessors, given that all three main parties are basically in the same climate camp.
Since then, Chris Huhne's Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) has taken other small steps designed to stimulate a growth in green energy, such as allowing councils to sell renewable electricity generated on their lands - a policy that builds on Labour's introduction of feed-in tariffs for renewables.
Delivering on the economy?
On the other hand, budget cuts for DECC have led to the scaling down or scrapping of funds designed to support offshore wind, biomass and geothermal energy.
There have been similar small steps towards improving home insulation, regarded in many circles as a win-win-win, as it reduces energy spend, cuts emissions and tackles fuel poverty.
But like Labour, the coalition is a long way short of establishing the nationwide energy efficiency scheme recommended by the Committee on Climate Change, the government's advisers, who called last year for a street-to-street programme that would insulate 10 million lofts and 7.5 million cavity walls by 2015.
More small steps are anticipated in coming months, including realisation of the Green Investment Bank, a review of the electricity market structure and a strategy to stimulate energy micro-generation.
Climate of austerity
The potential of the new austerity to scupper DECC initiatives is a concern raised by Mike Childs, head of climate with Friends of the Earth UK, "The future is looking ominous," he says.
"The Treasury is threatening the much-heralded 'Green Deal' on energy efficiency for homes, to starve the new Green Investment Bank of cash, and cut the Renewable Heat Incentive which would reduce rewards for generating heat from renewable sources."
So far, the government's headline commitment to cutting emissions and developing a low-carbon economy has not been challenged by the climate-sceptic rump of the Conservative Party; the maths of coalition politics do not permit it.
Nevertheless, practical moves to reduce emissions are influenced by numerous departments - the Treasury, Communities and Local Government, Transport - and some of those departments may see initiatives retarded rather than advanced by chiefs who do not share Mr Huhne's enthusiasm for carbon restraint.
Internationally, Mr Huhne recently joined counterparts from France and Germany in calling for the EU to raise its collective emissions-cutting pledge to 30% on 1990 levels by 2020, rather than the current 20%.
Although that has won plaudits, it is tempered by data showing that the recession has lowered emissions so much across the bloc that 30% looks much more achievable today than it did two years ago. Real ambition, some are saying, now implies calls for a 40% cut.
Overall, DECC's first 100 days under the coalition are marked by three over-arching themes:
Mr Huhne has acknowledged that the UK lags most of western Europe woefully on renewables. Whether that gap shrinks or expands over the next few years will be a litmus test of the "greenest-ever" claim.
Wider vision
Under Labour, there were times when the word "environment" seemed to have become replaced by the narrower "climate", so high did the latter ride up the overall agenda - certainly in terms of the political noise.
On that measure, the coalition looks, sounds and feels very different.
Biodiversity, the economics of nature loss, reducing waste and producing energy from it: Caroline Spelman's Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has been vocal on all of these issues during its initial 100 days.
Ms Spelman's initial list of priorities included: an "absolute commitment" to reversing the trend toward reduction in biodiversity seeking "genuine reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP)... for farmers, taxpayers, consumers and the environment alike" maintaining an increase in the money that taxpayers spend on flood defences this year, with "no impact on the number of households that we protect"
There has certainly been more talk about biodiversity than was common under Labour, although you could argue this is largely down to the coalition's accession coinciding with the run-up to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) meeting in October.
But there are concerns that the government's structural and fiscal reforms are going to work against its headline commitment to the issue.
"It's difficult to be optimistic," says Matt Shardlow, chief executive of the wildlife charity Buglife.
"We've seen in the first 100 days an agenda dominated by cuts, and... there's a feeling of hard-won gains, such as the contribution of agro-environment resources of CAP spending to the environment, being under threat."
Ms Spelman has announced major cuts to the 90-odd "arm's-length" bodies funded by DEFRA.
Some are uncontroversial. But budgetary slashing for Natural England, the statutory conservation agency for England, has aroused major concern, with about one-third of its staff likely to go.
Twenty-five organisations including major players such as the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) have sent a letter to government warning that cuts "could have profound and perhaps irreversible consequences for wildlife, landscapes and people".
They have also raised the alarm over proposals to sell off some of the UK's wildlife reserves, although the full picture of what's being proposed has yet to emerge.
And the decision to axe funding for the Sustainable Development Commission has raised in some people's minds questions of whether the coalition is prepared to countenance the really big questions of whether the UK economy, with its continued commitment to growth, is developing along inherently unsustainable lines.
Biodiversity protection may also suffer from the government's commitment to localism, according to Mr Shardlow.
Putting important wildlife sites under local aegis may sound attractive, but he argues that if your aim is a coherent biodiversity strategy across regions, then you have to organise work on a pan-regional basis.
"If you devolve it too far down, you go way beyond the place where the expertise lies," he says.
"You may have people in every village who know where they would like their playing ground to be situated, but you don't have people in every village who know how to conserve endangered bees."
Caroline Spelman's commitment to flood protection may have a sting in the tail as well. This forms a major component of Environment Agency spending; so if that is to be preserved, everything else the agency does may face a disproportionately large cut.
DEFRA is also talking a local game on waste and bio-energy, aiming to encourage local initiatives that would develop a "zero-waste UK", with technologies such as anaerobic digesters coming into increasing use.
But as with Labour, the question remains of how to make this happen without a raft of financial carrots and sticks - something that is likely to prove difficult given this government's cost-cutting agenda.
Culling costs
The Court of Appeal, meanwhile, has removed one of the coalition's biggest potential banana-skins, with its decision last month that the proposed badger cull in Wales could not proceed.
Urged on by DEFRA's Agriculture Minister Jim Paice, the coalition was set to begin culling in England within a few years.
As Labour realised, such a decision would be hugely contentious. The Welsh postponement gives a little more breathing space in which other cattle TB curbs can be shown to work, and for development of a vaccine to advance, making it less likely that the government will need to make a quick decision.
If you had to paint a picture of the coalition so far, you would probably sketch a stern-faced accountant at work inside a big tent carrying the word "society".
Strategies on environment and climate are tucked away in the tent somewhere. They already look different from when Gordon Brown and then David Cameron went to see the Queen 100 days ago; but what it all means for the environment has yet to become entirely clear.
Reference: BBC News, Environment correspondent, Richard Black
If you preside over a fall in greenhouse gas emissions while seeing numbers of farmland birds tumble, for example, how should those two trends be balanced against each other? Which is more important in assessing whether you are the "greenest ever"?
For many in the climate field, the coalition government began with a positive bang, by announcing it would not support the construction of a new runway at Heathrow Airport.
This had become a symbolic indicator of whether government was prepared to fight the green corner against business interests.
But it was also a simple measure by which the Conservatives and Lib Dems could distance themselves from their Labour predecessors, given that all three main parties are basically in the same climate camp.
Since then, Chris Huhne's Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) has taken other small steps designed to stimulate a growth in green energy, such as allowing councils to sell renewable electricity generated on their lands - a policy that builds on Labour's introduction of feed-in tariffs for renewables.
Delivering on the economy?
On the other hand, budget cuts for DECC have led to the scaling down or scrapping of funds designed to support offshore wind, biomass and geothermal energy.
There have been similar small steps towards improving home insulation, regarded in many circles as a win-win-win, as it reduces energy spend, cuts emissions and tackles fuel poverty.
But like Labour, the coalition is a long way short of establishing the nationwide energy efficiency scheme recommended by the Committee on Climate Change, the government's advisers, who called last year for a street-to-street programme that would insulate 10 million lofts and 7.5 million cavity walls by 2015.
More small steps are anticipated in coming months, including realisation of the Green Investment Bank, a review of the electricity market structure and a strategy to stimulate energy micro-generation.
Climate of austerity
The potential of the new austerity to scupper DECC initiatives is a concern raised by Mike Childs, head of climate with Friends of the Earth UK, "The future is looking ominous," he says.
"The Treasury is threatening the much-heralded 'Green Deal' on energy efficiency for homes, to starve the new Green Investment Bank of cash, and cut the Renewable Heat Incentive which would reduce rewards for generating heat from renewable sources."
So far, the government's headline commitment to cutting emissions and developing a low-carbon economy has not been challenged by the climate-sceptic rump of the Conservative Party; the maths of coalition politics do not permit it.
Nevertheless, practical moves to reduce emissions are influenced by numerous departments - the Treasury, Communities and Local Government, Transport - and some of those departments may see initiatives retarded rather than advanced by chiefs who do not share Mr Huhne's enthusiasm for carbon restraint.
Internationally, Mr Huhne recently joined counterparts from France and Germany in calling for the EU to raise its collective emissions-cutting pledge to 30% on 1990 levels by 2020, rather than the current 20%.
Although that has won plaudits, it is tempered by data showing that the recession has lowered emissions so much across the bloc that 30% looks much more achievable today than it did two years ago. Real ambition, some are saying, now implies calls for a 40% cut.
Overall, DECC's first 100 days under the coalition are marked by three over-arching themes:
- fiscal stringency
- consultation on detailed policy measures
- emphasising the tie-up between restraining emissions, energy security and "green" jobs
Mr Huhne has acknowledged that the UK lags most of western Europe woefully on renewables. Whether that gap shrinks or expands over the next few years will be a litmus test of the "greenest-ever" claim.
Wider vision
Under Labour, there were times when the word "environment" seemed to have become replaced by the narrower "climate", so high did the latter ride up the overall agenda - certainly in terms of the political noise.
On that measure, the coalition looks, sounds and feels very different.
Biodiversity, the economics of nature loss, reducing waste and producing energy from it: Caroline Spelman's Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has been vocal on all of these issues during its initial 100 days.
Ms Spelman's initial list of priorities included: an "absolute commitment" to reversing the trend toward reduction in biodiversity seeking "genuine reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP)... for farmers, taxpayers, consumers and the environment alike" maintaining an increase in the money that taxpayers spend on flood defences this year, with "no impact on the number of households that we protect"
There has certainly been more talk about biodiversity than was common under Labour, although you could argue this is largely down to the coalition's accession coinciding with the run-up to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) meeting in October.
But there are concerns that the government's structural and fiscal reforms are going to work against its headline commitment to the issue.
"It's difficult to be optimistic," says Matt Shardlow, chief executive of the wildlife charity Buglife.
"We've seen in the first 100 days an agenda dominated by cuts, and... there's a feeling of hard-won gains, such as the contribution of agro-environment resources of CAP spending to the environment, being under threat."
Ms Spelman has announced major cuts to the 90-odd "arm's-length" bodies funded by DEFRA.
Some are uncontroversial. But budgetary slashing for Natural England, the statutory conservation agency for England, has aroused major concern, with about one-third of its staff likely to go.
Twenty-five organisations including major players such as the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) have sent a letter to government warning that cuts "could have profound and perhaps irreversible consequences for wildlife, landscapes and people".
They have also raised the alarm over proposals to sell off some of the UK's wildlife reserves, although the full picture of what's being proposed has yet to emerge.
And the decision to axe funding for the Sustainable Development Commission has raised in some people's minds questions of whether the coalition is prepared to countenance the really big questions of whether the UK economy, with its continued commitment to growth, is developing along inherently unsustainable lines.
Biodiversity protection may also suffer from the government's commitment to localism, according to Mr Shardlow.
Putting important wildlife sites under local aegis may sound attractive, but he argues that if your aim is a coherent biodiversity strategy across regions, then you have to organise work on a pan-regional basis.
"If you devolve it too far down, you go way beyond the place where the expertise lies," he says.
"You may have people in every village who know where they would like their playing ground to be situated, but you don't have people in every village who know how to conserve endangered bees."
Caroline Spelman's commitment to flood protection may have a sting in the tail as well. This forms a major component of Environment Agency spending; so if that is to be preserved, everything else the agency does may face a disproportionately large cut.
DEFRA is also talking a local game on waste and bio-energy, aiming to encourage local initiatives that would develop a "zero-waste UK", with technologies such as anaerobic digesters coming into increasing use.
But as with Labour, the question remains of how to make this happen without a raft of financial carrots and sticks - something that is likely to prove difficult given this government's cost-cutting agenda.
Culling costs
The Court of Appeal, meanwhile, has removed one of the coalition's biggest potential banana-skins, with its decision last month that the proposed badger cull in Wales could not proceed.
Urged on by DEFRA's Agriculture Minister Jim Paice, the coalition was set to begin culling in England within a few years.
As Labour realised, such a decision would be hugely contentious. The Welsh postponement gives a little more breathing space in which other cattle TB curbs can be shown to work, and for development of a vaccine to advance, making it less likely that the government will need to make a quick decision.
If you had to paint a picture of the coalition so far, you would probably sketch a stern-faced accountant at work inside a big tent carrying the word "society".
Strategies on environment and climate are tucked away in the tent somewhere. They already look different from when Gordon Brown and then David Cameron went to see the Queen 100 days ago; but what it all means for the environment has yet to become entirely clear.
Reference: BBC News, Environment correspondent, Richard Black
Wednesday, 30 June 2010
Renewables account for 3.1% of UK energy in 2009
Renewables accounted for 3.1% of the UK's primary energy requirements in 2009 - up 0.4% from the year before, according to the latest statistics published by Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC).
The figure - which includes renewables used for transport and heat as well as electricity generation - is up from 2.6% in 2008 and 2.2% in 2007.
When measured using the slightly different methodology of the 2008 EU Renewable Energy Directive - which measures energy on a net calorific value basis and includes a cap on fuel used for aviation - this equates to 3% of energy consumption coming from renewables.
This is up from 2.4% in 2008 and 1.8% in 2007 and means that the UK is now one-fifth of the way towards meeting its Directive target to produce 15% of its energy from renewable sources by 2020.
The data was contained in a special feature, entitled ‘Renewable Energy in 2009' which was published by DECC yesterday (June 24) alongside its June edition of Energy Trends and Quarterly Energy Prices.
The article updates information on renewable energy published by DECC in June 2009, looks at the latest position and provides the first look at the statistics on renewable energy production and use in the UK in 2009. It also breaks down energy generation by source and type - including electricity, heat production and renewable fuels.
Electricity
For electricity, the figures show that 6.6% of that sold by licensed suppliers in the UK was generated from renewables eligible for the Renewables Obligation, up from a revised 5.3% in 2008.
Wind continued to be the leading renewable technology for generating electricity (37%), with hydro second (21 %), followed closely by landfill gas (20%). Generation from wind was four percentage points higher than in 2008, whilst hydro's contribution was three percentage points lower.
Total electricity capacity in 2009 amounted to more than 8GW, compared with 6.8GW in 2008 - an increase of 1.2GW (18%). The main contributors to this increase were 663MW from onshore wind (+24%), 355MW from offshore wind (+61%), 81MW from plant biomass (+41%) and 77MW (+8%) from landfill gas.
Heat
For renewable heat, which is produced from around 14% of renewable sources, the main sources were found to be direct combustion of biomass (93%), active solar heating and geothermal aquifers. Domestic use of wood is the main contributor to renewable heat (39%) followed by plant biomass (21%) and industrial use of wood and wood waste (17%).
While use of renewable heat has historically been on the decline, the report noted that it had started to grow and "further significant growth" was anticipated, due to the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) which is expected to provide a financial incentive from April 2011.
Transport fuel
Liquid biofuels for transport comprised nearly 15% of total renewable sources in 2009. In this period, 1,044 million litres of biodiesel and 317 million litres of bioethanol were consumed up from 886 million litres and 206 million litres in 2008 respectively. Biodiesel accounted for 4.2% of diesel, and bioethanol 1.4% of motor spirit. Their combined contribution was 2.9%.
URBAN ENERGY
Our mission: “To provide and install, sustainable, world class, clean energy products with the highest level of service and care."
Urban Energy is an innovative organisation specialising in the financing, design and installation of economic and environmentally sound solar powered energy systems for commercial property (private and public) and domestic dwellings. Our expertise in the field of Government sponsored funding programmes and solar power products will provide individuals and organisations with an excellent opportunity to overcome capital cost barriers, save money on energy bills, increase profit margins, increase the value of their property and reduce their carbon footprint.
Urban Energy employ the very best engineers in this field, all of which are fully qualified, MCS certified and Government approved to carry out this task, complying with strict guidelines and are members of the Solar Trade Association.
For further information about Urban Energy products and services:
Call: 0800 232 1624
Email: info@urbanenergy.org.uk
Website: http://www.urbanenergy.org.uk/
The figure - which includes renewables used for transport and heat as well as electricity generation - is up from 2.6% in 2008 and 2.2% in 2007.
When measured using the slightly different methodology of the 2008 EU Renewable Energy Directive - which measures energy on a net calorific value basis and includes a cap on fuel used for aviation - this equates to 3% of energy consumption coming from renewables.
This is up from 2.4% in 2008 and 1.8% in 2007 and means that the UK is now one-fifth of the way towards meeting its Directive target to produce 15% of its energy from renewable sources by 2020.
The data was contained in a special feature, entitled ‘Renewable Energy in 2009' which was published by DECC yesterday (June 24) alongside its June edition of Energy Trends and Quarterly Energy Prices.
The article updates information on renewable energy published by DECC in June 2009, looks at the latest position and provides the first look at the statistics on renewable energy production and use in the UK in 2009. It also breaks down energy generation by source and type - including electricity, heat production and renewable fuels.
Electricity
For electricity, the figures show that 6.6% of that sold by licensed suppliers in the UK was generated from renewables eligible for the Renewables Obligation, up from a revised 5.3% in 2008.
Wind continued to be the leading renewable technology for generating electricity (37%), with hydro second (21 %), followed closely by landfill gas (20%). Generation from wind was four percentage points higher than in 2008, whilst hydro's contribution was three percentage points lower.
Total electricity capacity in 2009 amounted to more than 8GW, compared with 6.8GW in 2008 - an increase of 1.2GW (18%). The main contributors to this increase were 663MW from onshore wind (+24%), 355MW from offshore wind (+61%), 81MW from plant biomass (+41%) and 77MW (+8%) from landfill gas.
Heat
For renewable heat, which is produced from around 14% of renewable sources, the main sources were found to be direct combustion of biomass (93%), active solar heating and geothermal aquifers. Domestic use of wood is the main contributor to renewable heat (39%) followed by plant biomass (21%) and industrial use of wood and wood waste (17%).
While use of renewable heat has historically been on the decline, the report noted that it had started to grow and "further significant growth" was anticipated, due to the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) which is expected to provide a financial incentive from April 2011.
Transport fuel
Liquid biofuels for transport comprised nearly 15% of total renewable sources in 2009. In this period, 1,044 million litres of biodiesel and 317 million litres of bioethanol were consumed up from 886 million litres and 206 million litres in 2008 respectively. Biodiesel accounted for 4.2% of diesel, and bioethanol 1.4% of motor spirit. Their combined contribution was 2.9%.
URBAN ENERGY
Our mission: “To provide and install, sustainable, world class, clean energy products with the highest level of service and care."
Urban Energy is an innovative organisation specialising in the financing, design and installation of economic and environmentally sound solar powered energy systems for commercial property (private and public) and domestic dwellings. Our expertise in the field of Government sponsored funding programmes and solar power products will provide individuals and organisations with an excellent opportunity to overcome capital cost barriers, save money on energy bills, increase profit margins, increase the value of their property and reduce their carbon footprint.
Urban Energy employ the very best engineers in this field, all of which are fully qualified, MCS certified and Government approved to carry out this task, complying with strict guidelines and are members of the Solar Trade Association.
For further information about Urban Energy products and services:
Call: 0800 232 1624
Email: info@urbanenergy.org.uk
Website: http://www.urbanenergy.org.uk/
Wednesday, 23 June 2010
UK June 2010 Budget: Renewable Energy Related Changes
The UK Government has announced a range of spending cuts in its revised budget for 2010, and there have been fears that this would hit the renewable energy industry. Here’s the (renewable) energy related changes.
The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) has summarised the UK Budget 2010 revisions affecting renewable sources and ‘conventional’ energy.
Among the points are that:
“The Prime Minister has pledged to make this the greenest government ever.”
The UK needs £200 billion of investment to 2020 to provide secure low-carbon and renewable energy.
“This will require reform of the energy market and action to attract additional private sector funding.”
How to reach the goals
Assessing how the energy tax framework can provide the right incentives for investment, alongside wider market reforms. The Government will publish proposals in the autumn to reform the climate change levy in order to provide more certainty and support to the carbon price.
However, the relevant legislation will not be brought forward until the Finance Bill 2011.
Detailed proposals on the creation of the Green Investment Bank will be put forward.
The Government is also establishing a Green Deal for households in the Energy Security and Green Economy Bill to help householders invest in energy efficiency improvements.
In addition the creation of green financial products to provide individuals with opportunities to invest in the infrastructure necessary to support the green economy will continue.
Compared to the coalition Government’s manifesto, the summary from DECC seems even vaguer on the Government’s commitment to investment in renewable energies at a first glance.
Climate Change Capital positive
Climate Change Capital Vice-Chairman, James Cameron, comments on the Budget: “It sets out an ambitious set of proposals for stimulating investment in the low carbon economy, with key policies including energy market reform, the creation of a Green Investment Bank and the introduction of a reformed upstream Climate Change Levy.
“Many of these proposals are subject to consultation, so we hope that this process helps to ensure that policies are able to deliver low carbon investment at the speed and scale required to tackle climate change, while also creating the industries and jobs of the future.
"This Budget increases opportunities for our business to invest in the UK," he concludes.
Reference: renewableenergyfocus.com
URBAN ENERGY
Our mission: “To provide and install, sustainable, world class, clean energy products with the highest level of service and care."
Urban Energy is an innovative organisation specialising in the financing, design and installation of economic and environmentally sound solar powered energy systems for commercial property (private and public) and domestic dwellings. Our expertise in the field of Government sponsored funding programmes and solar power products will provide individuals and organisations with an excellent opportunity to overcome capital cost barriers, save money on energy bills, increase profit margins, increase the value of their property and reduce their carbon footprint.
Urban Energy employ the very best engineers in this field, all of which are fully qualified, MCS certified and Government approved to carry out this task, complying with strict guidelines and are members of the Solar Trade Association.
For further information about Urban Energy products and services:
Call: 0800 232 1624
Email: info@urbanenergy.org.uk
Website: http://www.urbanenergy.org.uk/
The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) has summarised the UK Budget 2010 revisions affecting renewable sources and ‘conventional’ energy.
Among the points are that:
“The Prime Minister has pledged to make this the greenest government ever.”
The UK needs £200 billion of investment to 2020 to provide secure low-carbon and renewable energy.
“This will require reform of the energy market and action to attract additional private sector funding.”
How to reach the goals
Assessing how the energy tax framework can provide the right incentives for investment, alongside wider market reforms. The Government will publish proposals in the autumn to reform the climate change levy in order to provide more certainty and support to the carbon price.
However, the relevant legislation will not be brought forward until the Finance Bill 2011.
Detailed proposals on the creation of the Green Investment Bank will be put forward.
The Government is also establishing a Green Deal for households in the Energy Security and Green Economy Bill to help householders invest in energy efficiency improvements.
In addition the creation of green financial products to provide individuals with opportunities to invest in the infrastructure necessary to support the green economy will continue.
Compared to the coalition Government’s manifesto, the summary from DECC seems even vaguer on the Government’s commitment to investment in renewable energies at a first glance.
Climate Change Capital positive
Climate Change Capital Vice-Chairman, James Cameron, comments on the Budget: “It sets out an ambitious set of proposals for stimulating investment in the low carbon economy, with key policies including energy market reform, the creation of a Green Investment Bank and the introduction of a reformed upstream Climate Change Levy.
“Many of these proposals are subject to consultation, so we hope that this process helps to ensure that policies are able to deliver low carbon investment at the speed and scale required to tackle climate change, while also creating the industries and jobs of the future.
"This Budget increases opportunities for our business to invest in the UK," he concludes.
Reference: renewableenergyfocus.com
URBAN ENERGY
Our mission: “To provide and install, sustainable, world class, clean energy products with the highest level of service and care."
Urban Energy is an innovative organisation specialising in the financing, design and installation of economic and environmentally sound solar powered energy systems for commercial property (private and public) and domestic dwellings. Our expertise in the field of Government sponsored funding programmes and solar power products will provide individuals and organisations with an excellent opportunity to overcome capital cost barriers, save money on energy bills, increase profit margins, increase the value of their property and reduce their carbon footprint.
Urban Energy employ the very best engineers in this field, all of which are fully qualified, MCS certified and Government approved to carry out this task, complying with strict guidelines and are members of the Solar Trade Association.
For further information about Urban Energy products and services:
Call: 0800 232 1624
Email: info@urbanenergy.org.uk
Website: http://www.urbanenergy.org.uk/
Tuesday, 25 May 2010
DECC - Renewable Heat Incentive Consultation on the proposed RHI financial support scheme
Renewable energy, as part of our wider switch to a low carbon economy, plays a vital part in our work to tackle climate change and maintain secure energy supplies.
The Renewable Energy Strategy (RES), published on 15 July 2009, sets out the path towards achieving our target of 15% of our overall energy consumption to come from renewable sources by 2020.
In order to enable individuals, communities and others who are not professionals in the energy business to play their part in bringing forward renewable energy, the Government committed to introducing clean energy cash-back for renewable electricity and heat. We will deliver clean energy cash-back for renewable heat through the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI).
The consultation document sets out the Government’s proposals on the design and operation of the Renewable Heat Incentive, with the aim of providing financial support that encourages individuals, communities and businesses to switch from using fossil fuel for heating, to renewable technologies and sources.
Key aspects of the RHI:
The scheme should support a range of technologies, including air, water and ground-source heat pumps (and other geothermal energy), solar thermal, biomass boilers, renewable combined heat and power, use of biogas and bioliquids and the injection of biomethane into the natural gas grid.
RHI payments to be claimed by, and paid to, the owner of the equipment.
In small and medium-sized installations, both installers and equipment to be certified under the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) or equivalent standard, helping to ensure quality assurance and consumer protection.
Payments will be paid over a number of years; annually for installations below 45 kW and quarterly for those above this level; and always subject to conditions such as continuing to operate and maintain the equipment.
Tariff levels have been calculated to bridge the financial gap between the cost of conventional and renewable heat systems at all scales, with additional compensation for certain technologies for an element of the non-financial cost (e.g. the inconvenience of digging up a garden to install a ground-source heat pump). Tariff levels are proposed to provide a rate of return of 12% on the additional capital cost of renewables, with a lower rate of return of 6% given to solar thermal.
Payments to be calculated on the annual amount of heat output, expressed in kilowatt hours (kWh). At the small and medium scale, the amount of heat generated by the equipment is proposed to be estimated (or “deemed”) when installed in most cases. This will allow the beneficiary of the incentive to receive a set amount based on the deemed output, to encourage low energy consumption and discourage wasting heat.
For large installations and process-heating, heat output to be metered, and the total annual support calculated from the actual energy generated, multiplied by the tariff level.
The RHI will remain open to new projects until at least 2020. Its design and tariff levels will be reviewed from time to time for new projects, so as to adapt to changes in technology costs and other circumstances.
As announced in the RES, installations complete after 15 July 2009 are eligible.
Ofgem will administer the RHI, making incentive payments to recipients and taking responsibility for auditing and enforcing the scheme. Ofgem are to devise a simple process for accrediting smaller installations. This is to ensure that standards are met and payments can be made.
The Energy Act 2008 provides the statutory powers for a renewable heat incentive scheme to be introduced across England, Wales and Scotland.
The detailed legal framework will be set out in secondary legislation.
Reference: DECC Consultation on Renewable Heat Incentive and the proposed RHI financial support scheme. February 2010.
Many UK benefits of a strong RHI
Renewable heat means greater energy security for the UK at a time when a business-as-usual scenario will leave the UK dependent on imports for 80% of its natural gas requirement by 2020. The UK’s entire Renewable Energy Strategy, covering heat, electricity and transport is estimated to reduce fossil gas imports by 20-30% by 2020. Renewable heat will play a major role in this reduction. The technologies involved are proven and available, and in most cases have been used for many years. The great diversity of renewable heat technologies means that renewable heat can work in almost any situation, making it an attractive option for the 2 million homes off the gas grid, where heating options are more limited and more expensive.
Renewable heat avoids emissions associated with the generation of heat energy from fossil fuels. Organic waste streams offer the greatest environmental benefit of all renewables by transforming problematic wastes that can give off methane if left untreated, into energy1 , including heat.
The increasing demand for sustainable wood fuel will also provide an incentive for active investment and management of UK woodlands, allowing for greater biodiversity.
Ambient technologies like solar thermal are already popular and make up the great majority of micro renewable installations in the UK today. The RHI will make these technologies more affordable, bringing down costs over time.
URBAN ENERGY
Our mission: “To provide and install, sustainable, world class, clean energy products with the highest level of service and care."
Urban Energy is an innovative organisation specialising in the financing, design and installation of economic and environmentally sound solar powered energy systems for commercial property (private and public) and domestic dwellings. Our expertise in the field of Government sponsored funding programmes and solar power products will provide individuals and organisations with an excellent opportunity to overcome capital cost barriers, save money on energy bills, increase profit margins, increase the value of their property and reduce their carbon footprint.
Urban Energy employ the very best engineers in this field, all of which are fully qualified, MCS certified and Government approved to carry out this task, complying with strict guidelines and are members of the Solar Trade Association.
For further information about Urban Energy products and services:
Call: 0800 232 1624
Email: info@urbanenergy.org.uk
Website: http://www.urbanenergy.org.uk/
The Renewable Energy Strategy (RES), published on 15 July 2009, sets out the path towards achieving our target of 15% of our overall energy consumption to come from renewable sources by 2020.
In order to enable individuals, communities and others who are not professionals in the energy business to play their part in bringing forward renewable energy, the Government committed to introducing clean energy cash-back for renewable electricity and heat. We will deliver clean energy cash-back for renewable heat through the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI).
The consultation document sets out the Government’s proposals on the design and operation of the Renewable Heat Incentive, with the aim of providing financial support that encourages individuals, communities and businesses to switch from using fossil fuel for heating, to renewable technologies and sources.
Key aspects of the RHI:
The scheme should support a range of technologies, including air, water and ground-source heat pumps (and other geothermal energy), solar thermal, biomass boilers, renewable combined heat and power, use of biogas and bioliquids and the injection of biomethane into the natural gas grid.
RHI payments to be claimed by, and paid to, the owner of the equipment.
In small and medium-sized installations, both installers and equipment to be certified under the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) or equivalent standard, helping to ensure quality assurance and consumer protection.
Payments will be paid over a number of years; annually for installations below 45 kW and quarterly for those above this level; and always subject to conditions such as continuing to operate and maintain the equipment.
Tariff levels have been calculated to bridge the financial gap between the cost of conventional and renewable heat systems at all scales, with additional compensation for certain technologies for an element of the non-financial cost (e.g. the inconvenience of digging up a garden to install a ground-source heat pump). Tariff levels are proposed to provide a rate of return of 12% on the additional capital cost of renewables, with a lower rate of return of 6% given to solar thermal.
Payments to be calculated on the annual amount of heat output, expressed in kilowatt hours (kWh). At the small and medium scale, the amount of heat generated by the equipment is proposed to be estimated (or “deemed”) when installed in most cases. This will allow the beneficiary of the incentive to receive a set amount based on the deemed output, to encourage low energy consumption and discourage wasting heat.
For large installations and process-heating, heat output to be metered, and the total annual support calculated from the actual energy generated, multiplied by the tariff level.
The RHI will remain open to new projects until at least 2020. Its design and tariff levels will be reviewed from time to time for new projects, so as to adapt to changes in technology costs and other circumstances.
As announced in the RES, installations complete after 15 July 2009 are eligible.
Ofgem will administer the RHI, making incentive payments to recipients and taking responsibility for auditing and enforcing the scheme. Ofgem are to devise a simple process for accrediting smaller installations. This is to ensure that standards are met and payments can be made.
The Energy Act 2008 provides the statutory powers for a renewable heat incentive scheme to be introduced across England, Wales and Scotland.
The detailed legal framework will be set out in secondary legislation.
Reference: DECC Consultation on Renewable Heat Incentive and the proposed RHI financial support scheme. February 2010.
Many UK benefits of a strong RHI
Renewable heat means greater energy security for the UK at a time when a business-as-usual scenario will leave the UK dependent on imports for 80% of its natural gas requirement by 2020. The UK’s entire Renewable Energy Strategy, covering heat, electricity and transport is estimated to reduce fossil gas imports by 20-30% by 2020. Renewable heat will play a major role in this reduction. The technologies involved are proven and available, and in most cases have been used for many years. The great diversity of renewable heat technologies means that renewable heat can work in almost any situation, making it an attractive option for the 2 million homes off the gas grid, where heating options are more limited and more expensive.
Renewable heat avoids emissions associated with the generation of heat energy from fossil fuels. Organic waste streams offer the greatest environmental benefit of all renewables by transforming problematic wastes that can give off methane if left untreated, into energy1 , including heat.
The increasing demand for sustainable wood fuel will also provide an incentive for active investment and management of UK woodlands, allowing for greater biodiversity.
Ambient technologies like solar thermal are already popular and make up the great majority of micro renewable installations in the UK today. The RHI will make these technologies more affordable, bringing down costs over time.
URBAN ENERGY
Our mission: “To provide and install, sustainable, world class, clean energy products with the highest level of service and care."
Urban Energy is an innovative organisation specialising in the financing, design and installation of economic and environmentally sound solar powered energy systems for commercial property (private and public) and domestic dwellings. Our expertise in the field of Government sponsored funding programmes and solar power products will provide individuals and organisations with an excellent opportunity to overcome capital cost barriers, save money on energy bills, increase profit margins, increase the value of their property and reduce their carbon footprint.
Urban Energy employ the very best engineers in this field, all of which are fully qualified, MCS certified and Government approved to carry out this task, complying with strict guidelines and are members of the Solar Trade Association.
For further information about Urban Energy products and services:
Call: 0800 232 1624
Email: info@urbanenergy.org.uk
Website: http://www.urbanenergy.org.uk/
Monday, 8 March 2010
Get a loan of up to £15,000 to green your house!
If you want to install solar panels on your roof and take advantage of lucrative new feed-in tariffs but have been put off by a lack of funds, you could soon get a loan to cover the whole cost.
This week the government unveiled plans to offer homeowners 20 year loans of up to £15,000 to allow families to invest in green technologies, safe in the knowledge that their loan would be taken over by the purchaser if they move before it's paid off.
This follows an announcement by the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) that it will start paying feed-in tariffs (FiT's) to households installing green technologies such as electricity generating photovoltaic (PV) systems, which will set you back around £8,000 per kWp installed.
Households with south-facing roofs able to install a 4 kWp solar PV system will receive payments and savings totalling over £1,600 a year (Import savings £218.11 + FiT income £1390.16 + Export income £50.49 = £1658.76) from 1 April 2010.
Until now households wanting to introduce these carbon-reducing measures had to pay the upfront installation costs, or borrow the money, leading to accusations that they were only affordable for the well-off. Equally, spending thousands on solar power made little sense to anyone planning to move home a few years later.
The government has tried to answer both criticisms this week by introducing a pay-as-you-save (PAYS) scheme, which follows a pilot run in a number of cities.
- Although details of how the scheme will work are yet to be finalised we now have a rough idea:
The loans, typically between £10,000 and £15,000, are expected to come from commercial organisations rather than government funds. As well as the big six energy companies, Sainsbury's, B&Q, Co-op Bank and HSBC are among those expressing an interest.
- Once taken out, the loans would effectively become a charge against the house in the same way as a mortgage. They are expected to be paid back over 20-25 years, but, unlike a mortgage, if you move house before the loan is paid off, the new buyer would take over the payments. Of course, they also take over the savings, and any feed-in tariffs payable, which DECC says would always be greater than the repayments. It should make the home more attractive to any purchaser.
- The interest is yet to be determined – 6% has been mentioned, but as the loans will be coming from the private sector rates will reflect the market at the time. It is likely the rate would be similar to a long-term fixed-rate mortgage, typically 5%-6%. If you have lots of equity in your home, and you are remortgaging, you might find it cheaper to add the cost to your mortgage.
Households would be able to spend the money on a variety of technologies. Solar PV and Solar Thermal water heaters will be favourites, but so will solid-wall insulation which is aimed at homes that were built without cavity walls. It is much more expensive than cavity wall insulation, but can bring down energy bills significantly. Ground and air source heat pumps and wind turbines will qualify.
DECC says it is aiming for 7m households – owner-occupier and rented – to benefit by 2020. It wants to make the loans available to the widest possible group rather than just the well-off. It aims to have a single point of contact for those hoping to get a loan, pushing applicants to the most appropriate commercial supplier.
One option could see the power firms, which already have responsibility for paying the feed-in tariffs, also overseeing the loans and simply paying the customer the surplus at the end of each month. This would enable those with less-than-perfect credit histories to install carbon-reducing measures.
URBAN ENERGY
Our mission: “To provide and install, sustainable, world class, clean energy products with the highest level of service and care”.
Urban Energy is an innovative organisation specialising in the financing, design and installation of economic and environmentally sound solar powered energy systems for commercial property (private and public) and domestic dwellings. Our expertise in the field of Government sponsored funding programmes and solar power products will provide individuals and organisations with an excellent opportunity to overcome capital cost barriers, save money on energy bills, increase profit margins, increase the value of their property and reduce their carbon footprint.
Urban Energy employ the very best engineers in this field, all of which are fully qualified, MCS certified and Government approved to carry out this task, complying with strict guidelines and are members of the Solar Trade Association.
0% interest instalment payment program available for domestic solar thermal and photovoltaic systems.
For further information about Urban Energy products and services:
Call: 0800 232 1624
Email: info@urbanenergy.org.uk
Website: http://www.urbanenergy.org.uk/
This week the government unveiled plans to offer homeowners 20 year loans of up to £15,000 to allow families to invest in green technologies, safe in the knowledge that their loan would be taken over by the purchaser if they move before it's paid off.
This follows an announcement by the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) that it will start paying feed-in tariffs (FiT's) to households installing green technologies such as electricity generating photovoltaic (PV) systems, which will set you back around £8,000 per kWp installed.
Households with south-facing roofs able to install a 4 kWp solar PV system will receive payments and savings totalling over £1,600 a year (Import savings £218.11 + FiT income £1390.16 + Export income £50.49 = £1658.76) from 1 April 2010.
Until now households wanting to introduce these carbon-reducing measures had to pay the upfront installation costs, or borrow the money, leading to accusations that they were only affordable for the well-off. Equally, spending thousands on solar power made little sense to anyone planning to move home a few years later.
The government has tried to answer both criticisms this week by introducing a pay-as-you-save (PAYS) scheme, which follows a pilot run in a number of cities.
- Although details of how the scheme will work are yet to be finalised we now have a rough idea:
The loans, typically between £10,000 and £15,000, are expected to come from commercial organisations rather than government funds. As well as the big six energy companies, Sainsbury's, B&Q, Co-op Bank and HSBC are among those expressing an interest.
- Once taken out, the loans would effectively become a charge against the house in the same way as a mortgage. They are expected to be paid back over 20-25 years, but, unlike a mortgage, if you move house before the loan is paid off, the new buyer would take over the payments. Of course, they also take over the savings, and any feed-in tariffs payable, which DECC says would always be greater than the repayments. It should make the home more attractive to any purchaser.
- The interest is yet to be determined – 6% has been mentioned, but as the loans will be coming from the private sector rates will reflect the market at the time. It is likely the rate would be similar to a long-term fixed-rate mortgage, typically 5%-6%. If you have lots of equity in your home, and you are remortgaging, you might find it cheaper to add the cost to your mortgage.
Households would be able to spend the money on a variety of technologies. Solar PV and Solar Thermal water heaters will be favourites, but so will solid-wall insulation which is aimed at homes that were built without cavity walls. It is much more expensive than cavity wall insulation, but can bring down energy bills significantly. Ground and air source heat pumps and wind turbines will qualify.
DECC says it is aiming for 7m households – owner-occupier and rented – to benefit by 2020. It wants to make the loans available to the widest possible group rather than just the well-off. It aims to have a single point of contact for those hoping to get a loan, pushing applicants to the most appropriate commercial supplier.
One option could see the power firms, which already have responsibility for paying the feed-in tariffs, also overseeing the loans and simply paying the customer the surplus at the end of each month. This would enable those with less-than-perfect credit histories to install carbon-reducing measures.
URBAN ENERGY
Our mission: “To provide and install, sustainable, world class, clean energy products with the highest level of service and care”.
Urban Energy is an innovative organisation specialising in the financing, design and installation of economic and environmentally sound solar powered energy systems for commercial property (private and public) and domestic dwellings. Our expertise in the field of Government sponsored funding programmes and solar power products will provide individuals and organisations with an excellent opportunity to overcome capital cost barriers, save money on energy bills, increase profit margins, increase the value of their property and reduce their carbon footprint.
Urban Energy employ the very best engineers in this field, all of which are fully qualified, MCS certified and Government approved to carry out this task, complying with strict guidelines and are members of the Solar Trade Association.
0% interest instalment payment program available for domestic solar thermal and photovoltaic systems.
For further information about Urban Energy products and services:
Call: 0800 232 1624
Email: info@urbanenergy.org.uk
Website: http://www.urbanenergy.org.uk/
Tuesday, 2 March 2010
Green Loans Q&A: How does Pay As You Save (PAYS) finance work?
Q). When can I apply for a loan to improve the energy efficiency of my home?
A). Pay As You Save green finance, with repayments linked to the property, will require primary legislation and we'd expect them to be in available by 2012.
Q). What is the most I can borrow?
A). Our current measures are tackling the easy-to-achieve measures, like loft insulation, so the point of making green finance available in the future is to remove the upfront costs of relatively expensive improvements. The cost to each household will be different depending on which measures they install, which will in turn depend on the type of property but the average upgrade could be about £8,000-£10,000.
Q). What measures are eligible for funding?
A). By an eco-upgrade we mean the installation of a set of measures that goes significantly beyond basic insulation to include more expensive improvements such as solid wall insulation or a form of renewable energy generation. Small-scale renewable electricity (photovoltaic solar electrical panels) and heat technologies (solar thermal panels) will also be eligible for the additional incentive provided by the Feed-in Tariff (FiT) and Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) from April this year and April 2011 respectively.
Q). You say my combined payments for the loan and my energy bills, will be lower than my old energy bills? Can you give me an example?
A). If you spent £4,200 installing a typical solar thermal hot water system on the roof of a 3-bed semi, you would expect to get over £500 a year from savings on your energy bill and income from the Renewable Heat Incentive. If you chose a Pay-As-You-Save (PAYS) loan over 25 years to cover the installation costs, you would repay about £330 a year. So even after making your PAYS repayment you would be about £170 a year better off.
Q). What happens when I move home?
A). On average people move house every 12 years, which may not be long enough a period for the bill reductions to cover the upfront costs. So the point of attaching PAYS finance to the property is that householders would only be responsible for the repayments while benefiting from the measures. When you move house, responsibility for repayments would pass to the new owner.
Q). Won't that mean my house is less desirable to potential buyers?
A). No - anyone buying a property with repayments attached to it would benefit themselves from the moment they move in from lower energy bills than they otherwise would have been. Sellers would be able to make a virtue of improvements through the advice contained in their Energy Performance Certificate.
Q). I rent my home. How can you make my landlord increase the energy efficiency of my home.
A). Energy suppliers have obligations now to improve the energy efficiency of all homes, and today we've said we'll extend that obligation beyond 2012. For the private rented sector, we've said for the first time today that we'll be consulting on regulation to require standard insulation measures (loft and cavity insulation) to be a condition of renting out a property.
Reference: Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC)
URBAN ENERGY
Our mission: “To provide and install, sustainable, world class, clean energy products with the highest level of service and care”.
Urban Energy is an innovative organisation specialising in the financing, design and installation of solar powered energy systems for commercial property (private and public) and domestic dwellings. Our expertise in the field of Government sponsored funding programmes, PAYS loans, FiT's, RHI's and solar power products will provide individuals and organisations with an excellent opportunity to overcome capital cost barriers, save money on energy bills, increase profit margins, increase the value of their property and reduce their carbon footprint.
Urban Energy employ the very best engineers in this field, all of which are fully qualified, certified and Government approved to carry out this task, complying with strict guidelines and are members of the Solar Trade Association.
For further information about Urban Energy products and services:
Call: 0800 232 1624
Email: info@urbanenergy.org.uk
Website: http://www.urbanenergy.org.uk/
A). Pay As You Save green finance, with repayments linked to the property, will require primary legislation and we'd expect them to be in available by 2012.
Q). What is the most I can borrow?
A). Our current measures are tackling the easy-to-achieve measures, like loft insulation, so the point of making green finance available in the future is to remove the upfront costs of relatively expensive improvements. The cost to each household will be different depending on which measures they install, which will in turn depend on the type of property but the average upgrade could be about £8,000-£10,000.
Q). What measures are eligible for funding?
A). By an eco-upgrade we mean the installation of a set of measures that goes significantly beyond basic insulation to include more expensive improvements such as solid wall insulation or a form of renewable energy generation. Small-scale renewable electricity (photovoltaic solar electrical panels) and heat technologies (solar thermal panels) will also be eligible for the additional incentive provided by the Feed-in Tariff (FiT) and Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) from April this year and April 2011 respectively.
Q). You say my combined payments for the loan and my energy bills, will be lower than my old energy bills? Can you give me an example?
A). If you spent £4,200 installing a typical solar thermal hot water system on the roof of a 3-bed semi, you would expect to get over £500 a year from savings on your energy bill and income from the Renewable Heat Incentive. If you chose a Pay-As-You-Save (PAYS) loan over 25 years to cover the installation costs, you would repay about £330 a year. So even after making your PAYS repayment you would be about £170 a year better off.
Q). What happens when I move home?
A). On average people move house every 12 years, which may not be long enough a period for the bill reductions to cover the upfront costs. So the point of attaching PAYS finance to the property is that householders would only be responsible for the repayments while benefiting from the measures. When you move house, responsibility for repayments would pass to the new owner.
Q). Won't that mean my house is less desirable to potential buyers?
A). No - anyone buying a property with repayments attached to it would benefit themselves from the moment they move in from lower energy bills than they otherwise would have been. Sellers would be able to make a virtue of improvements through the advice contained in their Energy Performance Certificate.
Q). I rent my home. How can you make my landlord increase the energy efficiency of my home.
A). Energy suppliers have obligations now to improve the energy efficiency of all homes, and today we've said we'll extend that obligation beyond 2012. For the private rented sector, we've said for the first time today that we'll be consulting on regulation to require standard insulation measures (loft and cavity insulation) to be a condition of renting out a property.
Reference: Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC)
URBAN ENERGY
Our mission: “To provide and install, sustainable, world class, clean energy products with the highest level of service and care”.
Urban Energy is an innovative organisation specialising in the financing, design and installation of solar powered energy systems for commercial property (private and public) and domestic dwellings. Our expertise in the field of Government sponsored funding programmes, PAYS loans, FiT's, RHI's and solar power products will provide individuals and organisations with an excellent opportunity to overcome capital cost barriers, save money on energy bills, increase profit margins, increase the value of their property and reduce their carbon footprint.
Urban Energy employ the very best engineers in this field, all of which are fully qualified, certified and Government approved to carry out this task, complying with strict guidelines and are members of the Solar Trade Association.
For further information about Urban Energy products and services:
Call: 0800 232 1624
Email: info@urbanenergy.org.uk
Website: http://www.urbanenergy.org.uk/
Ed Miliband unveils 'green loan' energy plan for homes!
Pay As You Save green finance, with repayments linked to the property, will require primary legislation and we'd expect them to be in available by 2012.
Plans to encourage householders to make their homes much warmer and cheaper to run have been announced by ministers.
Consumers will be offered long-term loans to install insulation, solar panels or other green technology, which they can repay through energy bills.
The government wants to save 29% of carbon emissions from UK homes by 2020.
Ed Miliband, energy and climate secretary, said: “The Warm Homes, Green Homes Strategy will remove the deterrent of upfront costs and reduce the hassle of the move to greener living.”
The government says its plans will allow seven million British households to benefit from upgrades and create up to 65,000 jobs in the green homes industry.
Mr Miliband told the BBC: "If you're potentially buying the house, what will you find? "You'll find that the energy bills are significantly lower so, say, you'll be having a few hundred pounds off your energy bills and offsetting that you'll have a couple of hundred pounds in payments. "So you'll think, well I'm better off, actually, because this house has significantly lower energy bills, although it's got this repayment built into it."
The whole house energy makeovers, which the Government wants to roll out to improve the energy efficiency of the UK's 22 million existing homes, will provide a range of technologies including insulation and small-scale renewables such as solar panels or ground source heat pumps to provide energy.
Mr Miliband said: "Helping people save energy at home can make it easier and cheaper to keep homes warm and appliances running. It is also the best way to cut our carbon emissions.
"This new approach will allow people to pay for home improvements after they have had them installed rather than before," he said. "More people will be able to get the work they want done. That means less energy used, which is good for the environment, and lower bills, which is good for families, particularly when we have cold weather like we did this winter."
The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) has already been in discussions with a number of sectors including retail and banking over how the loans can be delivered, while the Government will introduce legislation to allow for the loans to be attached to homes.
URBAN ENERGY
Our mission: “To provide and install, sustainable, world class, clean energy products with the highest level of service and care”.
Urban Energy employ the very best engineers in this field, all of which are fully qualified, certified and Government approved to carry out this task, complying with strict guidelines and are members of the Solar Trade Association.
For further information about Urban Energy products and services:
Call: 0800 232 1624
Email: info@urbanenergy.org.uk
Website: http://www.urbanenergy.org.uk/
Plans to encourage householders to make their homes much warmer and cheaper to run have been announced by ministers.
Consumers will be offered long-term loans to install insulation, solar panels or other green technology, which they can repay through energy bills.
The government wants to save 29% of carbon emissions from UK homes by 2020.
Ed Miliband, energy and climate secretary, said: “The Warm Homes, Green Homes Strategy will remove the deterrent of upfront costs and reduce the hassle of the move to greener living.”
The government says its plans will allow seven million British households to benefit from upgrades and create up to 65,000 jobs in the green homes industry.
Mr Miliband told the BBC: "If you're potentially buying the house, what will you find? "You'll find that the energy bills are significantly lower so, say, you'll be having a few hundred pounds off your energy bills and offsetting that you'll have a couple of hundred pounds in payments. "So you'll think, well I'm better off, actually, because this house has significantly lower energy bills, although it's got this repayment built into it."
The whole house energy makeovers, which the Government wants to roll out to improve the energy efficiency of the UK's 22 million existing homes, will provide a range of technologies including insulation and small-scale renewables such as solar panels or ground source heat pumps to provide energy.
Mr Miliband said: "Helping people save energy at home can make it easier and cheaper to keep homes warm and appliances running. It is also the best way to cut our carbon emissions.
"This new approach will allow people to pay for home improvements after they have had them installed rather than before," he said. "More people will be able to get the work they want done. That means less energy used, which is good for the environment, and lower bills, which is good for families, particularly when we have cold weather like we did this winter."
The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) has already been in discussions with a number of sectors including retail and banking over how the loans can be delivered, while the Government will introduce legislation to allow for the loans to be attached to homes.
URBAN ENERGY
Our mission: “To provide and install, sustainable, world class, clean energy products with the highest level of service and care”.
Urban Energy employ the very best engineers in this field, all of which are fully qualified, certified and Government approved to carry out this task, complying with strict guidelines and are members of the Solar Trade Association.
For further information about Urban Energy products and services:
Call: 0800 232 1624
Email: info@urbanenergy.org.uk
Website: http://www.urbanenergy.org.uk/
Saturday, 13 February 2010
Greening Britain's Energy Supply
A fortnight ago Ed Miliband, the Climate Secretary, confirmed generous payments for home solar panel and wind turbine systems.
This scheme could transform Britain's poor record on renewable power. At present only 5 per cent of UK power comes from renewable sources, while 2 per cent of energy customers are on "green" tariffs. So will this initiative lead to low-carbon power for the people – and what's in it for you?
First, don't bother generating your own electricity or buying a "green" tariff until you have stopped energy leaking from your home; it's like pumping fuel into a car without fixing a hole in the petrol tank. Put plastic strips round draughty windows and reflective paper behind radiators, lag lofts to 27centimetres and fit eco-lightbulbs in every socket.
From April, a "Feed in Tariff" will guarantee payments to homes with solar panels and other micro-generation. A "well-sited" 2.5kWh PV solar scheme, the Department for Energy & Climate Change (DECC) says, should earn £900 a year and £140 in energy savings. And the financial case for going solar may improve if, as expected, banks offer renewable power loans later this year.
Reference: The Independent
URBAN ENERGY
Our mission: “To provide and install, sustainable, world class, clean energy products with the highest level of service and care”.
Urban Energy is an innovative organisation specialising in the financing, design and installation of economic and environmentally sound solar powered energy systems for commercial property (private and public) and domestic dwellings. Our expertise in the field of Government sponsored funding programmes and solar power products will provide individuals and organisations with an excellent opportunity to overcome capital cost barriers, save money on energy bills, increase profit margins, increase the value of their property and reduce their carbon footprint.
0% interest instalment payment program available for domestic solar thermal and photovoltaic systems.
For further information about Urban Energy products and services:
Call: 0800 232 1624
Email: info@urbanenergy.org.uk
Website: http://www.urbanenergy.org.uk/
This scheme could transform Britain's poor record on renewable power. At present only 5 per cent of UK power comes from renewable sources, while 2 per cent of energy customers are on "green" tariffs. So will this initiative lead to low-carbon power for the people – and what's in it for you?
First, don't bother generating your own electricity or buying a "green" tariff until you have stopped energy leaking from your home; it's like pumping fuel into a car without fixing a hole in the petrol tank. Put plastic strips round draughty windows and reflective paper behind radiators, lag lofts to 27centimetres and fit eco-lightbulbs in every socket.
From April, a "Feed in Tariff" will guarantee payments to homes with solar panels and other micro-generation. A "well-sited" 2.5kWh PV solar scheme, the Department for Energy & Climate Change (DECC) says, should earn £900 a year and £140 in energy savings. And the financial case for going solar may improve if, as expected, banks offer renewable power loans later this year.
Reference: The Independent
URBAN ENERGY
Our mission: “To provide and install, sustainable, world class, clean energy products with the highest level of service and care”.
Urban Energy is an innovative organisation specialising in the financing, design and installation of economic and environmentally sound solar powered energy systems for commercial property (private and public) and domestic dwellings. Our expertise in the field of Government sponsored funding programmes and solar power products will provide individuals and organisations with an excellent opportunity to overcome capital cost barriers, save money on energy bills, increase profit margins, increase the value of their property and reduce their carbon footprint.
0% interest instalment payment program available for domestic solar thermal and photovoltaic systems.
For further information about Urban Energy products and services:
Call: 0800 232 1624
Email: info@urbanenergy.org.uk
Website: http://www.urbanenergy.org.uk/
Wednesday, 3 February 2010
Energy bills set to reach £2,000 a year!
Energy bills will skyrocket to unaffordable levels by 2015 unless the Government acts now, says a new report.
The Government may soon be completely in charge of the energy market in the UK, with far reaching changes needed to prevent energy bills skyrocketing to £2,000 a year, energy watchdog Ofgem has warned.
The regulator has concluded its Project Discovery report, with some shocking findings. Chief among them is the suggestion that unless the infrastructure behind the energy market is completely revamped, we will face energy costs spiralling out of control.
For many of us, gas and electricity will be simply unaffordable - and that could mean the lights going out across the country.
Nab a Feed-in Tariff:
This week, the Government finally unveiled its plans for feed-in tariffs (FiTs), and they should definitely be on your radar if you want to keep your energy expenditure as low as possible, over the long-term.
Basically, homeowners will be paid for generating their own power, through measures like rooftop windmills and solar panels.
And doing so could prove pretty lucrative - according to the Department for Energy and Climate Change, fitting a typical 2.5kW well sited solar photovoltaic (PV) installation could see the homeowner handed up to £900, as well as savings on their electricity bill.
In fact, any surplus energy created can then be sold on to the National Grid, earning you even more cash!
Reference: lovemoney.com
Urban Energy:
Urban Energy is an innovative organisation specialising in the financing, design and installation of economic and environmentally sound solar powered energy systems for commercial property (private and public) and domestic dwellings.
We provide systems eligible for grants of between 50% up to 100% through arrangements in place with our partners.
0% interest instalment payment program available for domestic solar thermal and photovoltaic systems.
For further information about Urban Energy products and services:
Call: 0800 232 1624
Email: info@urbanenergy.org.uk
Website: http://www.urbanenergy.org.uk/
The Government may soon be completely in charge of the energy market in the UK, with far reaching changes needed to prevent energy bills skyrocketing to £2,000 a year, energy watchdog Ofgem has warned.
The regulator has concluded its Project Discovery report, with some shocking findings. Chief among them is the suggestion that unless the infrastructure behind the energy market is completely revamped, we will face energy costs spiralling out of control.
For many of us, gas and electricity will be simply unaffordable - and that could mean the lights going out across the country.
Nab a Feed-in Tariff:
This week, the Government finally unveiled its plans for feed-in tariffs (FiTs), and they should definitely be on your radar if you want to keep your energy expenditure as low as possible, over the long-term.
Basically, homeowners will be paid for generating their own power, through measures like rooftop windmills and solar panels.
And doing so could prove pretty lucrative - according to the Department for Energy and Climate Change, fitting a typical 2.5kW well sited solar photovoltaic (PV) installation could see the homeowner handed up to £900, as well as savings on their electricity bill.
In fact, any surplus energy created can then be sold on to the National Grid, earning you even more cash!
Reference: lovemoney.com
Urban Energy:
Urban Energy is an innovative organisation specialising in the financing, design and installation of economic and environmentally sound solar powered energy systems for commercial property (private and public) and domestic dwellings.
We provide systems eligible for grants of between 50% up to 100% through arrangements in place with our partners.
0% interest instalment payment program available for domestic solar thermal and photovoltaic systems.
For further information about Urban Energy products and services:
Call: 0800 232 1624
Email: info@urbanenergy.org.uk
Website: http://www.urbanenergy.org.uk/
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