“I know this is a difficult time for the sector and I want to do as much as I can to end the uncertainty created by the legal challenge.” – Greg Barker Janurary 19^th 2012.

The above statement was followed by a court case challenging the timing and reduction of the feed-in-tariff. The Court of Appeal handed down a negative judgement on the Government’s appeal against an earlier decision by the High Court. Thus, technically, the old FITs were reinstated, 43.3p for domestic systems less than 4kWp.

DECC have announced that they will now appeal to the Supreme Court. Their statement of 26^th January 2012 follows:

"The Court of Appeal has upheld the High Court ruling on FITs albeit on different grounds. We disagree and are seeking permission to appeal to the Supreme Court.

“We have already put before Parliament changes to the regulations that will bring a 21p rate into effect from April for solar pv installations from 3 March to help reduce the pressure on the budget and provide as much certainty as we can for consumers and industry.

“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. Solar PV can have strong and vibrant future in UK and we want a lasting FITs scheme to support that future and jobs in the industry.”

Systems installed today on the basis of the proposed 21p/kWh tariff represent an excellent return on investment for households, similarly commercial installations will deliver good returns owing to reductions in material costs passed down the supply chain. There remains a possibility that household tariffs could return to 43.3p for systems installed and FIT registered pre March 3^rd 2012.  Clearly a return of the old tariff for new systems would be a huge bonus but our recommend­ation to installers and consumers alike is to contract on the basis of the new proposed FITs.

 

Energy Source	Scale	Feed-in tariff (pence/kWh)		Duration (years)
Solar PV	≤4 kW (retro fit)	21		25
Solar PV	≤4 kW (new build)	21		25
Solar PV	4kW – 10kW	16.8		25
Solar PV	10kW – 50kW	15.2		25
Solar PV	50kW – 100kW	12.9		25
Solar PV	100kW – 150kW	12.9		25
Solar PV	150kW – 250kW	12.9		25
Solar PV	250kW+	8.5		25
Solar PV	Stand alone	8.5	25

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A row to the magnetic North Pole would certainly be a test of endurance so when Jock Wishart prepared to assemble his team to cross the Arctic, providing power for essential communications with the outside world was a high priority.  Following a discussion with Marlec’s technical team our smallest Rutland Windcharger, at just 3.5kg was selected alongside 4 SunWare solar panels to keep the batteries topped up.

The Old Pulteney’s design was based on a previous vessel that Jock had rowed the Atlantic in 2007.  The intrepid explorer asked that his solar panels fit into some tight spaces so Marlec drew on the specialist service offered by SunWare to manufacture bespoke shapes of panels.

We are pleased to report that the combination of Rutland Windcharger and solar panels proved highly reliable in meeting the power demands of the expedition.  The mission was accomplished in August 2011 and was filmed by BBC Scotland.  An account of the epic adventure is also given in print by Rod Macrae’s Furthest North.

My understanding of the key proposals are as follows:

1. New Proposed Rates from 1st April 2012

 

2. A Reference Date of 12th December 2011 for New Installations

PV installations completed AND the application for the FIT is received by the FIT scheme licensee BEFORE 12th December 2011 will enter the scheme at the current rates.  Those received on or after 12th December 2011 will fall into a transitional period up to 1st April 2012 whereupon they will receive the current level of tariffs up to 1st April but thereafter the rates for those installations will change to the new rates, eg 21p for less than 4 kWp.  The date of the received application at the FIT provider is called the "eligibility date"

3. Energy Efficiency Measures from April 1st 2012

A new energy efficiency requirement from 1st April 2012 will mean that properties must reach a certain level of energy efficiency to receive the proposed tariffs.  At this stage mention has been made of an Energy Performance Certificate to level "C" or other energy saving measures that have already been mentioned in the forthcoming Green Deal.  A 12 month transitional period will enable installers to bring in the measures at the property at a later date but within 1 year from the eligibility date.

4. Multiple Installations Reduced FIT Rate

Organisations or individuals that own multiple installations at multiple addresses as part of an aggregated scheme will receive a FIT rate of 80% for systems eligible from 1st April 2012.

Our View of the Future ……

Having been in wind & solar energy for over 30 years we have seen many changes and developments in renewables and we believe that PV remains a sustainable market in the UK beyond 2012.  Our initial payback calculations based on the new tariff regime show that a typical Schott 4kW residential installation pays back (after allowing for FIT indesation) in around 10 years delivering a return on investment around 7%.

This simply takes us back to the very first pv installations at the introduction of the feed in tariff  and still represents an excellent investment ! 

Please do call the Marlec telesales team anytime from 8am to 6.30pm on 01536 447866 for kits, pv panels or components for your installations today.

Sunny Regards
Teresa
Teresa Auciello -Sales Director

Marlec Eng Co Ltd
Rutland House, Trevithick Rd, Corby, NN17 5XY
Tel: 01536 201588    sales@marlec.co.uk    www.marlec.co.uk