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 feed in tariff. Show all posts
Showing posts with label feed in tariff. Show all posts
Thursday, 13 September 2012
Thursday, 24 May 2012
Energy Performance Certificate
Energy Performance Certificate (EPC):
An EPC is an energy efficiency assessment of your home or
business dwelling; all properties require one when they are built, sold or
rented. Like appliances, they are rated from A to G with 'A' being the highest
level of efficiency. They contain information about the current performance of
your property and give you a rank based on this. They also make recommendations
about measures you could introduce to make your home more efficient, reduce
your carbon emissions and boost your rating. D is the average rating for houses
in the UK; it is estimated that around 50% of houses are below this level.
In the main, your EPC rating will be based on a few key
factors:
• When
your property was built.
• Whether
the property is insulated and to what degree.
• How
modern the heating system is and what fuel is used.
• The
property's ventilation characteristics.
Why you need one:
From 20 March 2012, the Feed-in Tariff rules require level
'D' Energy Performance Certificates.
From April, customers installing solar PV will be required
to produce an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) of a minimum of level D in
order to claim the full feed-in tariff rate of 21p/kWh. Those who do not supply
this as part of their FIT application will receive a lower tariff (9p/kWh) for
the full duration of the tariff lifetime.
How to get one:
Urban Energy have fully trained EPC assessors. We offer an
EPC survey as part of our installation package, however should you require just
the EPC assessment; we are able to provide you with this service for a fee of
£65.00.
How is the assessment carried out:
During the assessment you can make it easier for your
assessor by telling him about any energy saving measures you have installed. If
you have had cavity insulation it's not always easy to see without knowing it's
there and it could mean you get a lower rating than you deserve.
It is also worth noting that, in some cases, installing a
solar PV or solar thermal system will boost your rate enough to raise your EPC
level to a D. We will let you know if this is the case for your property. It
should be noted that a property must already have an EPC rating of D or above
to achieve the higher tariff for PV installations.
Urban 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.
Our experienced surveyors can carry out a free, no
obligation survey of your house or business that can help you save thousands of
£’s per annum. We have our own fully qualified installers, electricians and
plumbers who oversee every aspect of every installation.
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.
Eco Barn Showroom now open: 10.00 – 5.00 Monday to
Friday and 10.00 – 4.00 Saturday
Call us on: 0800 232 1624 or 01722 335 322
Email us at: info@urbanenergy.org.uk
Email us at: info@urbanenergy.org.uk
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/
Tuesday, 27 March 2012
Come and meet the Urban Energy team face to face!
Urban Energy - Green Solutions
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.
Our experienced surveyors can carry out a free, no
obligation survey of your house or business that can help you save thousands of
£’s per annum. We have our own fully qualified installers, electricians and
plumbers who oversee every aspect of every installation.
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.
Come and meet the Urban Energy team face to face at the
following locations/events:
Wednesday 28th March
Saturday 31st March
Saturday 31st March
Sunday 1st April
For further information about Urban Energy products and
services:
Call: 0800 232 1624
Email: info@urbanenergy.org.uk
Website: http://www.urbanenergy.org.uk/
***Come and join us on Saturday 28th April for our Family Fun Day at our new Eco Barn at Stratford-sub-Castle***
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/
Wednesday, 16 November 2011
2020 Renewable Energy Targets & The Green Investment Bank
Europe has set itself a target share of energy usage from
renewable sources of 20% by 2020, with the UK’s target contribution 15%.
But by 2010, we had reached just one fifth of our target.
To hit this target, the UK is adopting a three pronged
approach – increasing electricity production from renewables to 30% of total
capacity from the current 8.6%; growing renewable heat to 12% from its current
1.5%, and quadrupling the use of renewable fuels in our transport sector.
But do we have the right policy mix to drive the switch to
renewables and do consumers still have the appetite for change, given the
stuttering economic recovery and rising energy bills?
The Renewables Obligation (RO), which forces energy
suppliers to source an increasing percentage of generation from renewables, has
succeeded in raising the percentage of electricity generated from renewable
sources to 8.6% from 1.8%, when first introduced.
Things changed again last year with the introduction of
feed-in tariffs for small scale renewables, with generous tariff payments
prompting rapid growth in solar PV developments. The success of this scheme has
seen the government reduce the tariffs.
Renewable heat is less advanced. The government announced
the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI), which makes payments to renewable heat
installation owners and bio-methane producers over a 20 year period, with the
tariffs delivering a healthy 12% return. However, its introduction was delayed
after wrangles with Europe over state aid rules and tariff levels.
All of these renewables policy measures have a unique
context in the UK, given the Climate Change Act 2008, which sets a legally
binding target to reduce carbon emissions by at least 80% by 2050 – perhaps an
opportunity for the UK to ‘lead from the front’ internationally.
The UK created the CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme to meet the
EU target to save 20% of primary energy consumption by 2020 through energy
efficiency. It encourages large energy consumers to adopt energy management
strategies to reduce consumption and although criticized for being over
complex, it has certainly enlivened the energy efficiency debate.
We need hard cash to provide new energy infrastructure, but
will the new Green Investment Bank deliver? With £3bn initial government
funding, it will invest in green projects and hope to attract £15bn private
sector investment to accelerate the de-carbonisation of energy production - a
modest start towards the estimated £110bn needed to de-carbonise the power
sector.
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/
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/
Monday, 24 October 2011
Automotive Manufacturers Race to Corner Green Market
Nissan will produce a plug-in hybrid vehicle as part of its
on-going efforts to become the world leader in low-carbon motoring by 2016.
The manufacturer launched its new five-year environmental plan
today, reiterating its goal of selling 1.5 million electric cars by 2016 and
introducing new targets to improve fuel economy across its fleet by 35 per cent
against 2005 levels, reduce CO2 emissions per vehicle produced by 20 per cent,
and increase the use of recycled materials to 25 per cent by the same date.
"More consumers are demanding products in line with
their values, including cars and trucks with a lower carbon footprint,"
Carlos Ghosn, Nissan president and chief executive, said in a statement.
"At the same time, we are using technology to make our factories greener and
more efficient."
More than 16,000 LEAF electric cars have been sold worldwide
to date and the Japanese company, along with French partner Renault, plans to
add another three electric models to its fleet by the end of fiscal year 2017.
Nissan also said it aims to release a new plug-in hybrid and
lead the development of an all-new fuel cell electric vehicle in conjunction
with Daimler.
Toyota announced over the weekend
that it will produce hybrid vehicles and key components in China by 2015 as it
bids to close ground on GM and Nissan, which will respectively launch the
Chevrolet Volt and the LEAF in the country over the next few months.
Volkswagen, also popular in China, is similarly set to begin
local production of pure electric cars in 2013 or 2014.
The plug-in version of the Prius is expected to be available
in China from 2013, and Akio Toyoda, Toyota's president, told reporters that a
pure electric vehicle would also be launched that year. This is likely to be an
electric version of its RAV 4 compact SUV.
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, 14 September 2011
Energy prices set to grow by up to 37% by 2020
Renewable energy could make average returns of 11-12%, with the
potential for returns in excess of 20%. According to the findings, new
financial incentives, energy market trends and building regulations are
combining to create a compelling case for UK businesses to generate
their own renewable energy.
With energy prices set to grow by up to 37% by 2020, the opportunity to reduce utility bills is a strong incentive for investigating renewable energy options. Government initiatives such as Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) and Feed in Tariff (FiT), which are also designed to act as incentives for businesses to act quickly and benefit from the capped level of funding on offer.
The Carbon Trust Advisory conducted interviews with leading companies to find out about the challenges, opportunities and best practice associated with implementing renewable energy measures. The industries with the most to gain are utilities, manufacturing, retail, hospitality and agricultural sectors.
Retailers and consumer goods brands are tending to lead the way. ASDA, IKEA, John Lewis and Marks & Spencer have all set a target of moving to 100% renewable energy. The Carbon Trust Advisory analysis of the results shows that businesses are taking a mixed approach to sourcing renewable energy from either their own projects or purchases from energy providers. One business which has made strong progress in this area is IKEA. The furniture retailer now obtains 80% of its total energy use for renewable and has invested in a mix of ground source heat pumps, biomass, solar panels and wind power.
Charlie Browne, IKEA UK and Ireland Sustainability Manager, explains: “Taking care of people and the environment is integral to how we do business, so we are continually working to significantly reduce our carbon footprint from all parts of our operations. As part of our global ‘IKEA Goes Renewable’ programme, we are committed to heavily investing in making IKEA buildings more energy efficient and using more renewable energy. For example, our most recently built UK based stores in Coventry, Southampton and Dublin have been designed to incorporate measures that will have a major impact on these areas, including geothermal heating and cooling systems, biomass boilers and improved insulation. Our recent investment into a 12.3 Megawatt wind farm in Aberdeenshire and a £4million investment to fit over 39,000 photovoltaic (solar) panels to the rooftops of 10 IKEA stores shows our clear actions to reach our goal of 100% renewable energy supply.”
Commenting on the report, Hugh Jones, Managing Director, Carbon Trust Advisory, said: “This report should help convince more UK businesses to move to renewable energy. However, selecting the right strategy for renewable energy can be a complex area and we recommend that businesses make a staged approach to adoption. This includes trialling different measures, testing their viability and doing this sooner rather than later before energy price increases and regulatory pressure become more pressing.”
Reference: Carbon Trust - full report can be downloaded here:
http://www.carbontrust.co.uk/Publications/pages/publicationdetail.aspx?id=CTA004
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 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:
With energy prices set to grow by up to 37% by 2020, the opportunity to reduce utility bills is a strong incentive for investigating renewable energy options. Government initiatives such as Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) and Feed in Tariff (FiT), which are also designed to act as incentives for businesses to act quickly and benefit from the capped level of funding on offer.
The Carbon Trust Advisory conducted interviews with leading companies to find out about the challenges, opportunities and best practice associated with implementing renewable energy measures. The industries with the most to gain are utilities, manufacturing, retail, hospitality and agricultural sectors.
Retailers and consumer goods brands are tending to lead the way. ASDA, IKEA, John Lewis and Marks & Spencer have all set a target of moving to 100% renewable energy. The Carbon Trust Advisory analysis of the results shows that businesses are taking a mixed approach to sourcing renewable energy from either their own projects or purchases from energy providers. One business which has made strong progress in this area is IKEA. The furniture retailer now obtains 80% of its total energy use for renewable and has invested in a mix of ground source heat pumps, biomass, solar panels and wind power.
Charlie Browne, IKEA UK and Ireland Sustainability Manager, explains: “Taking care of people and the environment is integral to how we do business, so we are continually working to significantly reduce our carbon footprint from all parts of our operations. As part of our global ‘IKEA Goes Renewable’ programme, we are committed to heavily investing in making IKEA buildings more energy efficient and using more renewable energy. For example, our most recently built UK based stores in Coventry, Southampton and Dublin have been designed to incorporate measures that will have a major impact on these areas, including geothermal heating and cooling systems, biomass boilers and improved insulation. Our recent investment into a 12.3 Megawatt wind farm in Aberdeenshire and a £4million investment to fit over 39,000 photovoltaic (solar) panels to the rooftops of 10 IKEA stores shows our clear actions to reach our goal of 100% renewable energy supply.”
Commenting on the report, Hugh Jones, Managing Director, Carbon Trust Advisory, said: “This report should help convince more UK businesses to move to renewable energy. However, selecting the right strategy for renewable energy can be a complex area and we recommend that businesses make a staged approach to adoption. This includes trialling different measures, testing their viability and doing this sooner rather than later before energy price increases and regulatory pressure become more pressing.”
Reference: Carbon Trust - full report can be downloaded here:
http://www.carbontrust.co.uk/Publications/pages/publicationdetail.aspx?id=CTA004
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/
Tuesday, 13 September 2011
UK solar panel installation hotspots revealed
Small-scale energy generation using solar panels or wind
turbines has grown by 400% in less than 18 months in the UK, with Sheffield
seeing the biggest increase in renewable installations per 1,000 people.
The new study looked at the growth in renewable energy
capacity in the UK's large cities since the government's feed-in tariff (FIT)
launched last April. The scheme offers guaranteed cash payments to households
and communities who produce their own electricity.
Top of the table was Sheffield, which increased its
renewable energy capacity, of which 99% is solar, to more than 3.5 kilowatts
electrical per 1,000 people (kWe is a measure of electrical power). Here's the
top 10:
1. Sheffield
2. Leeds
3. Bristol
4. Bradford
5. Birmingham
6. London
7. Liverpool
8. Edinburgh
9. Manchester
10. Glasgow
London added more renewable power than all the other cities,
but only ranked sixth on the list when the data was assessed per head.
Solar panels on the rise
Solar panels are the most popular way of generating
renewable power, accounting for 75% of feed-in tariff scheme payments,
according to the study by energy consultancy AEA. Wind power accounts for 14%.
So far, more than 44,000 solar installations have been
registered for the FIT, with small domestic systems making up the majority
(38,300).
Overall, Cornwall is the area which generates the most solar
photovoltaic (PV) power in the UK, with more than 1,000 solar installations and
three megawatts electrical (MWe) capacity. Aberdeenshire generates the most
wind power and Perth and Kinross the most hydro electricity.
Solar power benefits
Urban Energy research has found it is possible to make up to
£38,000 profit from a 4kWp solar photovoltaic (PV) system over 25 years, under
the FIT – the pay back can be as little as 6 years. To qualify you must use
products and installers registered under the Microgeneration Certification
Scheme (MCS).
This data shows that you do not need to live on the equator
to generate electricity from solar panels. The UK has enough daylight to
generate good returns. If you are considering cashing in on the generous FIT
scheme, we would advise you do so before April 2012, since the tariff is likely
to be changed then, most probably decreasing slightly.
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, 11 September 2011
Is solar the future for energy production?
It is no longer credible to say that solar can’t play a major role in a
sustainable energy mix. Deutsche Bahn intends to run the entire German
railway system on wind, solar and hydropower. The German economics ministry
has collaborated with German companies to run a scaled model of the national
economy on a real mix of renewables, including solar, and concluded that a
healthy modern economy could be run on renewables, including baseload
electricity. In a report due out later this year, the International Energy
Agency will admit that solar can provide 60% of global electricity by 2060.
It is not good enough to say, as some do, that if a global mass market is inevitable, the UK should sit back and partake come the day, not before. This is a strategic miscalculation. We do not want to be importing every aspect of our energy infrastructure ad infinitum. National security considerations such as peak oil increasingly demand that we have domestic industries that are as stand-alone as humanly possible.
In this respect there should be many opportunities for the government. The prime minister has emphasised the Big Society idea as a flagship programme of his tenure, and he envisions many of the jobs that must countervail the austerity measures will come from British participation in the green industrial revolution that he says is unfoldling around the world. Solar is an important part of that. Ask the Chinese. In 2000 they had little solar. Now every second solar cell is made in China. The government would not have to do much to fashion a Big Society/green industrial revolution case-history worth boasting about.
Around the nation, as things stand, thousands of jobs are being created in the embryonic British solar industry. Tens of thousands of citizens are in the process of being empowered in community projects. The cause of this is a solar-energy feed-in tariff: a market-enablement process used by over 40 countries around the world that entails premium pricing for solar photovoltaic (PV) electricity funded by a small levy on all energy bills. With its feed-in tariff introduced in April last year, the UK has belatedly joining the party in one of the fastest growing markets of any kind globally.
The opportunities extend well beyond solar. Solar generation would soon be marriable at scale with the energy efficiency measures due to be stimulated by the government’s Green Deal. Innovative integrated energy-services financing would become possible, unleashing substantial net energy cost savings.
Feed-in tariffs are supposed to decrease annually, as solar prices fall. That is part of their inate attraction. Unlike nuclear, solar does not need subsidising forever. But the staged reductions in tariff, down to zero within the decade, have to match the market. It is no good introducing sudden deep cuts. That stalls a market, as a number of governments have discovered this year.
The first reductions for UK rooftop solar PV tariffs will begin in April 2012, and are under review right now. The government has to get this just right. Reductions in tariff have to be deep enough to fairly reflect falling solar prices, and not too deep to stall the development of a domestic UK solar industry.
Ministers like Greg Barker and Chris Huhne understand. Others do not. They listen to the calls of the nuclear and gas industries, who among others lobby to slow or kill the solar rollout in multiple countries by cutting feed-in tariffs to the bone. In France, for example, the nuclear industry has all but emasculated the French solar feed in tariff, and hence market.
Creating a Big Society/green-industrial-revolution case-history worth bragging about will involve the government creating a smooth glide path to solar grid parity in electricity markets. This in turn will involve not listening to many of the lobbyists working for the big energy companies, and many civil servants too. They are too wedded to the past, and cannot see what Silicon Valley investors, and the Chinese see.
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.
It is not good enough to say, as some do, that if a global mass market is inevitable, the UK should sit back and partake come the day, not before. This is a strategic miscalculation. We do not want to be importing every aspect of our energy infrastructure ad infinitum. National security considerations such as peak oil increasingly demand that we have domestic industries that are as stand-alone as humanly possible.
In this respect there should be many opportunities for the government. The prime minister has emphasised the Big Society idea as a flagship programme of his tenure, and he envisions many of the jobs that must countervail the austerity measures will come from British participation in the green industrial revolution that he says is unfoldling around the world. Solar is an important part of that. Ask the Chinese. In 2000 they had little solar. Now every second solar cell is made in China. The government would not have to do much to fashion a Big Society/green industrial revolution case-history worth boasting about.
Around the nation, as things stand, thousands of jobs are being created in the embryonic British solar industry. Tens of thousands of citizens are in the process of being empowered in community projects. The cause of this is a solar-energy feed-in tariff: a market-enablement process used by over 40 countries around the world that entails premium pricing for solar photovoltaic (PV) electricity funded by a small levy on all energy bills. With its feed-in tariff introduced in April last year, the UK has belatedly joining the party in one of the fastest growing markets of any kind globally.
The opportunities extend well beyond solar. Solar generation would soon be marriable at scale with the energy efficiency measures due to be stimulated by the government’s Green Deal. Innovative integrated energy-services financing would become possible, unleashing substantial net energy cost savings.
Feed-in tariffs are supposed to decrease annually, as solar prices fall. That is part of their inate attraction. Unlike nuclear, solar does not need subsidising forever. But the staged reductions in tariff, down to zero within the decade, have to match the market. It is no good introducing sudden deep cuts. That stalls a market, as a number of governments have discovered this year.
The first reductions for UK rooftop solar PV tariffs will begin in April 2012, and are under review right now. The government has to get this just right. Reductions in tariff have to be deep enough to fairly reflect falling solar prices, and not too deep to stall the development of a domestic UK solar industry.
Ministers like Greg Barker and Chris Huhne understand. Others do not. They listen to the calls of the nuclear and gas industries, who among others lobby to slow or kill the solar rollout in multiple countries by cutting feed-in tariffs to the bone. In France, for example, the nuclear industry has all but emasculated the French solar feed in tariff, and hence market.
Creating a Big Society/green-industrial-revolution case-history worth bragging about will involve the government creating a smooth glide path to solar grid parity in electricity markets. This in turn will involve not listening to many of the lobbyists working for the big energy companies, and many civil servants too. They are too wedded to the past, and cannot see what Silicon Valley investors, and the Chinese see.
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/
Sunday, 4 September 2011
Lack of information preventing UK homes from going green
A recent survey has revealed that UK residents are reluctant to install green technology due to a lack of awareness about the related cost savings and government incentives.
This lack of awareness – the ‘Green Gap’ – is holding back the uptake of renewable energy sources in UK homes, according to the report. Whilst 61% of participants were keen to install systems such as solar panels and biomass-fuelled heating, 57% said they wouldn’t consider installing any of the listed renewable technologies, because they viewed them as too expensive.
Of the 2,000 survey participants, a third didn’t know how much money they could save or earn by generating their own energy, whilst 65% were completely unaware of the government’s Feed-in Tariff programme.
This programme requires energy suppliers to pay households that generate their own electricity from renewable sources, and also allows any surplus energy to be sold back to the National Grid.
The survey also revealed considerable confusion surrounding the government’s Green Deal, with 54% unable to correctly identify the Deal’s focus on energy efficiency incentives. 14% thought it was concerned with the protection of forests, while 9% believed it was aimed at increasing the use of electric vehicles.
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/
Tuesday, 15 March 2011
UK feed-in tariff rise "will help fuel solar PV demand"
The UK Government has revised its solar photovoltaic (PV) feed-in tariff to take into account increases in the consumer price index. Feed-in tariff increases will come into effect on 1 April this year.
The UK solar PV market is already expanding rapidly as homeowners and businesses take advantage of the feed-in tariff programme. The new feed-in tariff figures will see an average increase of between £0.015-0.02/kWh of electricity, depending on the type and size of solar PV installation.
However, Urban Energy urges a note of caution asking people not to rush to install solar PV systems, asking potential buyers to check every aspect of performance, reliability and longevity before they sign any contracts. Consumers must consider that a PV system needs to carry on working reliably for 25 years or more.
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
The UK solar PV market is already expanding rapidly as homeowners and businesses take advantage of the feed-in tariff programme. The new feed-in tariff figures will see an average increase of between £0.015-0.02/kWh of electricity, depending on the type and size of solar PV installation.
However, Urban Energy urges a note of caution asking people not to rush to install solar PV systems, asking potential buyers to check every aspect of performance, reliability and longevity before they sign any contracts. Consumers must consider that a PV system needs to carry on working reliably for 25 years or more.
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
Renewable Heat Incentive to be revealed this week
The Renewable Energy Association (REA) expects to receive proposals for the UK’s renewable heat incentive (RHI) later this week. The long-awaited enticement for UK residents to switch from fossil fuel heating to renewable sources will work in a similar way to the solar PV feed-in tariff, increasing the UK’s potential in the green sector.
Working to encourage the uptake of renewable heat sources, the RHI will support several technologies including biomass, heat pumps, deep geothermal, woodfuel burners, heat components of biomass CHP, biofuel heating, anaerobic digestion,(Biomethane) Green Gas injection to Gas Grid and of course solar thermal. The REA hopes the scheme will go live in June.
The Renewable Heat Incentive will offer premium payments to encourage the uptake of this wide range of technology, enabling the heating of homes, schools, public buildings and large offices/factories. The RHI will also help the UK to work towards the legally binding renewable energy target as well as carbon reduction targets as well as reducing the country’s dependence on imported natural gas.
Paid out of general taxation, anyone or any organisation who invests in eligible renewable heat technologies and who applies for support under the scheme will be eligible to benefit from the RHI.
The RHI will work by adopting ‘tariff’ principles, offering a fixed payment for every kilowatt hour (kWh) of renewable heat generated over the lifetime of the tariff. It currently applies to heat installations of all sizes - there is no upper limit - although the REA is concerned that solar thermal may be constrained. Renewable heat can be measured using a heat meter, just like electricity; however metering may not be appropriate in smaller domestic installations – where deemingis likely to be used instead (i.e. a standard payment, based on an estimate of the heat generated). Safeguards will also be needed to ensure people do not waste metered heat.
Heat is by definition locally generated as it is expensive to transport heat long distances. The RHI will therefore strongly compliment the development of local renewable power under the solar PV feed-in tariff.
At present, the UK’s heat is predominately supplied by fossil gas, accounting for 47% of the country’s CO2 emissions. The UK’s renewable heat industry currently makes up just 1% of the UK’s heat market. The RHI is aimed at boosting this percentage.
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
Working to encourage the uptake of renewable heat sources, the RHI will support several technologies including biomass, heat pumps, deep geothermal, woodfuel burners, heat components of biomass CHP, biofuel heating, anaerobic digestion,(Biomethane) Green Gas injection to Gas Grid and of course solar thermal. The REA hopes the scheme will go live in June.
The Renewable Heat Incentive will offer premium payments to encourage the uptake of this wide range of technology, enabling the heating of homes, schools, public buildings and large offices/factories. The RHI will also help the UK to work towards the legally binding renewable energy target as well as carbon reduction targets as well as reducing the country’s dependence on imported natural gas.
Paid out of general taxation, anyone or any organisation who invests in eligible renewable heat technologies and who applies for support under the scheme will be eligible to benefit from the RHI.
The RHI will work by adopting ‘tariff’ principles, offering a fixed payment for every kilowatt hour (kWh) of renewable heat generated over the lifetime of the tariff. It currently applies to heat installations of all sizes - there is no upper limit - although the REA is concerned that solar thermal may be constrained. Renewable heat can be measured using a heat meter, just like electricity; however metering may not be appropriate in smaller domestic installations – where deemingis likely to be used instead (i.e. a standard payment, based on an estimate of the heat generated). Safeguards will also be needed to ensure people do not waste metered heat.
Heat is by definition locally generated as it is expensive to transport heat long distances. The RHI will therefore strongly compliment the development of local renewable power under the solar PV feed-in tariff.
At present, the UK’s heat is predominately supplied by fossil gas, accounting for 47% of the country’s CO2 emissions. The UK’s renewable heat industry currently makes up just 1% of the UK’s heat market. The RHI is aimed at boosting this percentage.
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
Tuesday, 14 December 2010
Survey results suggest over 80% of farmers want rooftop solar power
A recent survey conducted by Farming Futures has found that 80% of farmers in the UK want to have solar photovoltaics installation on their roofs within the next three years. These results prove that farmers’ interest in generating renewable electricity has increased dramatically since the launch of the feed-in tariff (FiT), which was launched in April this year.
Recent press coverage has concentrated on the issue of solar installations on farmland and open fields; however the survey’s findings indicate that just under 20% of farmers considering solar want it at this scale, with the majority considering the technology for large farm buildings.
However, while the survey did outline the success of the FiT, it did also highlight farmers’ relatively poor understanding of how the subsidy mechanism works. Only 55.2% understood to what extent they could actually earn from the FiT while 25.4% thought payment was only for generation, or export (19.4%).
Dr. Jonathan Scurlock, Chief Advisor, Renewable Energy and Climate Change at the National Farmers' Union said, "These findings certainly reflect what our members have been saying. Agricultural and horticultural buildings present ideal platforms for solar PV, and small-to-medium sized roof-mounted systems are likely to be an attractive investment. It's hugely encouraging to see our farming industry become stronger through the generation of power, and helping this country reduce its reliance on fossil fuels."
Stephen Frankel, a farmer from Wadebridge said, "We installed solar PV on our barn roof this year, and immediately starting saving on our bills and earning extra income thanks to the FiT. Traditionally, farming revenue is quite seasonal, but now we’re making money by creating clean energy we have the peace of mind of another income, and we’re doing our bit reducing our carbon footprint. I’d recommend any farmer to consider this – our land brings us so much value, so why not our roofs?”
Sustainable farming is at the core of a healthy future for the UK, and it’s great to see farmers recognising the opportunity they now have with solar. Urban Energy welcome the opportunity to help UK farmers get maximum return from their property. Solar power is a sophisticated active industrial building product designed to work with business.
The main findings of the survey are:
*88.1% of Farmers are currently considering renewables on their farm
*Since the introduction of the FiT in April 2010, 83.2% of farmers have considered renewables; as the financial incentive secures a return on investment for 25 years
*Of those considering renewables, an overwhelming 93.3% are interested in solar PV, with wind energy as the second choice
*Of those who have already invested in renewables, only 28.6% have done so in PV; but 85.7% are now considering it
*82.2% of farmers are considering solar PV (93.3% of those interested in renewables (88.1%)
*80.6% of those surveyed are considering solar on a roof
*89.8% of those interested in investing in renewables are planning to do so within the next two years, which would enable them to take advantage of the FiT
*However, only 55.2% understood to what extent they could actually earn from the FiT; being paid for all electricity generated and consumed, as well as that exported. The remainder (25.4%) thought payment was only for generation, or export (19.4%)
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/
Recent press coverage has concentrated on the issue of solar installations on farmland and open fields; however the survey’s findings indicate that just under 20% of farmers considering solar want it at this scale, with the majority considering the technology for large farm buildings.
However, while the survey did outline the success of the FiT, it did also highlight farmers’ relatively poor understanding of how the subsidy mechanism works. Only 55.2% understood to what extent they could actually earn from the FiT while 25.4% thought payment was only for generation, or export (19.4%).
Dr. Jonathan Scurlock, Chief Advisor, Renewable Energy and Climate Change at the National Farmers' Union said, "These findings certainly reflect what our members have been saying. Agricultural and horticultural buildings present ideal platforms for solar PV, and small-to-medium sized roof-mounted systems are likely to be an attractive investment. It's hugely encouraging to see our farming industry become stronger through the generation of power, and helping this country reduce its reliance on fossil fuels."
Stephen Frankel, a farmer from Wadebridge said, "We installed solar PV on our barn roof this year, and immediately starting saving on our bills and earning extra income thanks to the FiT. Traditionally, farming revenue is quite seasonal, but now we’re making money by creating clean energy we have the peace of mind of another income, and we’re doing our bit reducing our carbon footprint. I’d recommend any farmer to consider this – our land brings us so much value, so why not our roofs?”
Sustainable farming is at the core of a healthy future for the UK, and it’s great to see farmers recognising the opportunity they now have with solar. Urban Energy welcome the opportunity to help UK farmers get maximum return from their property. Solar power is a sophisticated active industrial building product designed to work with business.
The main findings of the survey are:
*88.1% of Farmers are currently considering renewables on their farm
*Since the introduction of the FiT in April 2010, 83.2% of farmers have considered renewables; as the financial incentive secures a return on investment for 25 years
*Of those considering renewables, an overwhelming 93.3% are interested in solar PV, with wind energy as the second choice
*Of those who have already invested in renewables, only 28.6% have done so in PV; but 85.7% are now considering it
*82.2% of farmers are considering solar PV (93.3% of those interested in renewables (88.1%)
*80.6% of those surveyed are considering solar on a roof
*89.8% of those interested in investing in renewables are planning to do so within the next two years, which would enable them to take advantage of the FiT
*However, only 55.2% understood to what extent they could actually earn from the FiT; being paid for all electricity generated and consumed, as well as that exported. The remainder (25.4%) thought payment was only for generation, or export (19.4%)
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/
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/
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