Wednesday, 30 March 2016

April News Flash - Battery Storage Special

Welcome to the April 2016 News Release from CTS Renewables Ltd. This Month we concentrate on the latest developments in Battery Storage Solutions, if you would like any additional information please ring the office on 01623 422254.

A solar PV system converts sunlight into electricity which is automatically used to charge a battery storage system and directly power a property with any excess being routed back to the grid. Any shortfall of power, such as peak use times or at night, is supplied by the battery at first then topped up by your energy supplier if the battery becomes depleted or overloaded by demand.

Solar PV operates on light intensity, not heat, so even if the day seems cold, if there is light, the system will be generating electricity, PV systems will therefore generate electricity all year round. typical usage of the energy generated is 50%, but with battery storage, usage can become 80%. We have calculated that with a typical system size of 4kw and a battery storage solution of around 6kWh, customers should be mainly off grid for spring, summer and autumn, and pretty much using all the winter generation.

Please be aware that this is not a battery backup system, but a storage system enabling more effective usage of energy generated. Battery backup systems are not compliant with UK grid systems (G83/2) and as such require additional measures to manually switch the system off the grid and also separate high usage circuits within the property.

All the solutions CTS Renewables Ltd are providing use Lithium Ion batteries rather than Lead Acid. This is because Lithium batteries are the most energy dense (power/space taken), have improved discharge cycles (usage lifespan) and have a depth of discharge of around 90% rather than 50% for lead acid (DOD is the usable proportion of the battery capacity, a 10kWh lead acid battery only provides 5kWh of usable energy!)

Due to the size and weight of the battery it stands on the ground and is secured against a wall. This means it is most suited for installation into an attached garage or similar type location.

1 - Tesla Powerwall 6.4
CTS Renewables Ltd are please to announce that we are one of the few Certified installers of the Tesla Powerwall storage solution. We feel that this is a great reflection on our commitment to quality installations as Solaredge and Tesla hand picked a limited number of companies to install this fantastic product.

Each Powerwall has a 6.4 kWh energy storage capacity, sufficient to power most homes during the evening using electricity generated by solar panels during the day. Multiple batteries may be installed together for homes with greater energy needs. Powerwall stores electricity generated by solar panels during the day and makes it available to your home in the evening. This bridges the gap between peak solar and peak demand, allowing you to use your photons when you need them, potentially becoming "net zero". A net zero energy rating means that your home produces as much energy as it consumes, but is still connected to the utility grid for periods of high demand.

Specs - 6.4kWh of storage at 100% depth of discharge, up to 3.3kw discharge power, rated for internal and external mounting, 1302 mm x 862 mm x 183 mm / 97kg. 10 year product warranty. https://www.teslamotors.com/en_GB/powerwall

Currently the Tesla Powerwall is only compatible with recent model SolarEdge Inverters. Other Battery Systems are available or it is possible to upgrade your existing system to Solaredge for an additional charge.

To add a Tesla Powerwall onto an existing SolarEdge system would be from £4,499,
To install a new system with 4kw Canadian Solar Panels, Solaredge and Tesla would be from £9,599

2 - SolaX SK-SU3700e Solar Battery Inverter with LG Chem Resu 6.4EX Lithium 5.76kWh Battery Module
For customers without Solaredge Inverters already installed we have put together an alternative but equally attractive battery storage solution. In this package the existing inverter is replaced as it is more cost effective and efficient to replace with a Hybrid inverter such as the SolaX as it is to add a dedicated battery inverter onto an existing system. We have paired it with a quality Battery module made by LG Chem.

The ground-breaking SolaX X-Hybrid is much more than just an inverter. It is an intelligent, integrated system that manages the energy you generate effectively and efficiently. Specs - Manage remotely via built-in CT and WiFi monitoring. Dual MPPT, Maximum DC 5000W, Maximum DC 550V. AC Nominal Power 4600W. Euro Efficiency 97%. Discharge Power 2500W. Dimensions mm - W490 / H595 / D167. 10 Year manufacturer warranty.

The LG Chem RESU 6.4 EX is a high quality Lithium Ion battery system that allows the storage of 6.4kWh energy. It is manufactured by LG Chem a leader in Li-ion technology and a trusted brand around the world. 5.8kWh Usable Storage (90% DOD), 3.2 kWh Expansion Pack Available, >6000 charge cycles >10 year lifespan. Dimensions mm - W406 / H664 / D165, weight 60kg. http://www.solaxuk.co.uk/x-hybrid-battery-storage/

To add a SolaX/LG storage system onto an existing PV system would be from £4,499.
To install a new system with 4kw Canadian Solar Panels, SolaX X Hybrid and LG Chem Resu 6.4EX would be from £8,449.

3 - Samsung ESS SDI Solar Battery Storage System
For Customers without Solaredge or those looking for a neat and compact "All in One" product the Samsung ESS SDI is a perfect solution which combines the PV inverter with Lithium-Ion battery storage capabilities. It optimises power yield and has an intuitive remote monitoring system which can detect errors in advance.

System Specs:
Inverter - Dual MPPT, Maximum DC 6600W (3300 x2), Maximum DC 550V. AC Nominal Power 3680/4600W. Euro Efficiency 95%. Discharge Power 2000W. Dimensions mm - W1000 / H680 / D267.
Battery - 3.6kWh Lithium Ion Battery, 90% Depth of Discharge - 3.24kWh of usable storage, 6000 charge cycle warranty, 5 year manufacturer product warranty, 10 year performance warranty. https://myess.samsungsdi.com/prod/prod.do#0

To add a Samsung ESS SDI system onto an existing PV system would be from £4,499.
To install a new system with 4kw Canadian Solar Panels and Samsung ESS SDI would be from £8,999.

Thank you for taking the time to read our newsletter, more information on our products and services can found on our website www.ctsrenewables.co.uk or you can call our office on 01623 422254.

Kind Regards



Matthew Baxter
Sales & Marketing Director

Thursday, 21 January 2016

New FIT Rates now apply - 4kW PV for £3,999, Tesla Battery Backup on the way

Welcome to the January 2016 News Release from CTS Renewables. Please find below a selection of current news stories and offers, if you would like any additional information please ring the office on 01623 422254.

1 - January FIT Rates Now Apply – After a long and drawn out consultation process the government has released its plans for the future of the Feed in Tariff. The consultation, which ran from 27 August to 23 October, originally set out to cut the feed-in tariff rates by as much as 87%, enact quarterly installation capacity caps and ultimately withdraw subsidy support on 1 January 2019.

It received more than 55,000 responses and was widely condemned by the industry, the general public and politicians alike.

The announced rates are not as severe as expected, here at CTS Renewables we are confident that Solar PV can still be an attractive proposition to electricity consumers.

The new rates are as follows:

0-10kW - 4.39p
10-50kW - 4.59p
50-250kW - 2.70p
250kW-1000kW - 2.27p
>1MW - 0.87p
Stand alone - 0.87p

The full consultation response also sets out how the new rates - based upon offering a return of 4.8% - are to be introduced.

Due to the Christmas recess the changes do not come into effect until 8 February 2016. In order to protect the new budget allocation of £100 million, DECC has elected to enact a four-week pause on new feed-in tariff installations which will run from 15 January to 8 February 2016.

Any installation made between those dates will not be eligible for the previous rates and will receive the new 4.39p rate from 8 February onward. The first rate will run from 8 February to 31 March, after which digressions will begin to occur.

Also included in the response are details of deployment caps. The government states that it considered these to be the “most robust” method of cost control and that a total spend of £100 million per year from April 2019 to be an “appropriate” allocation. As a result, the below caps on deployment will be put into place on a quarterly basis.

A queuing system is to be introduced, meaning that if a particular cap is reached then all new installations will be placed in a queue for when the next cap opens. There is no guarantee that these installations will received FiT payments until they are registered under the following cap, nor is there a guarantee on which the rate they will receive.

There is however a “rollover” clause which means that any unused capacity from a particular deployment cap will be added on top of the next quarter. Clause 1.42 of the response also includes mention of a “budget reconciliation” which could open the door for a possible revisit of the rates on offer should deployment nose dive and it appear that the £100 million budget would not be utilized in full.

2 – 4kw PV System from £3,999 -  CTS Renewables has been able to secure package deals with the UK’s largest PV wholesaler and are able to offer a 16 panel 4kw system onto a single aspect for as little as £3,999. For a house in Derby with a south facing roof using 50% of the electricity generated, it could mean a break even point of just over 6 years based on the new FIT rates. Also available is 4kW system using the all black Canadian Solar 265 panels for a fantastic price of £4,499.

These systems include a 10 year insurance backed warranty, VAT, scaffolding all fully fitted by our own installation teams. Smaller system sizes are available. Please contact the office for further details.

5 – Battery Backup – The battery backup market is moving apace, new products are being released all the time. Customer interest is at an all time high, people want to take full advantage of the Solar Electricity that is being generated and be "Off Grid" as much as possible.

CTS Renewables are particularly excited about the new Tesla Powerwall system which works alongside solaredge inverters. The Powerwall has all the hallmarks of a great product with great storage capacity, pricing and longevity. We expect this solution to become available in the next few weeks.

In addition solutions from Samsung, LG and SMA are beginning to become available. Over the next few weeks CTS Renewables staff are undertaking a range of manufacturer training programs to allow us to offer comprehensive and informed range of battery back-up solutions for our customers.

4 – Solar Thermal Deals – With much of the limelight over the years on Solar PV, Solar Thermal systems have seen a marked reduction in their popularity. That however, appears to be changing. In the last six months CTS Renewables has installed as many solar thermal systems than we have done in the previous four years. We attribute this partially to significant reductions in installation costs, partially to the introduction of the  domestic RHI scheme, but mainly we find that our sales come from our satisfied Solar PV, Biomass and Heat Pump Customers who are looking to add to their energy saving portfolio of products.

Solar Thermal Panels are a great addition to any property with a non-combi boiler based heating system as they can reliably provide domestic hot water over the summer months, enabling customers to reduce running times for their boilers over these months and also supplement hot water generation in the colder months. For those customers already accessing the domestic RHI for their Biomass or Heat Pump systems, you are still able to access the RHI for solar thermal in addition to your current RHI payments. The same can be said for Feed in Tariff payments.

In addition a significant proportion of our installations are fitted to properties with Solar PV and Immersun/Iboost systems. These technologies can complement each other as the solar thermal preheats the incoming cold water before it reaches the immersion heater element. The combination of the two technologies mean that you are able to greatly extend the days of the year for which the sun can heat your hot water. The average amount of roof space required for solar thermal is 1m² per person and a solar thermal compatible hot water cylinder will need to be in place or installed by our plumbers.

Thank you for taking the time to read our newsletter, more information on our products and services can be found at www.ctsrenewables.co.uk, or you can call our office on 01623 422254.

Kind Regards


Matthew Baxter
Sales & Marketing Director

Sunday, 6 September 2015

87% FIT Cuts in January, 4kW PV for £4,999, Manual Okofen Boiler Offer, Solar Thermal Deals, Tesla Battery Backup

Welcome to the September News Release from CTS Renewables. Please find below a selection of current news stories and offers, if you would like any additional information please ring the office on 01623 422254.

1 - 87% FIT Cuts in January – We have long been aware of the standard 3% FIT rate drop scheduled for the 1st October but now the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) is proposing to cut the feed-in tariff rates for solar PV installations by as much as 87%. Publishing the outcome of the long-awaited feed-in tariff review, the government is proposing deep cuts to all bands from 1 January 2016.

Below are the proposed generation tariffs for 1 January 2016:

Capacity               Feed-in tariff rate (p/kWh)
0-10kW                 1.63
10-50kW              3.69
50-250kW            2.64
250-1000kW       2.28
>1MW                  1.03
Stand alone        1.03

In addition to the severe cuts to the tariff rate, DECC is also looking to enforce default degression each quarter which would see FiT support for some scales of solar end on 1 January 2019. DECC will still implement a contingent degression mechanism that could degress tariff rates by  a further 10% depending on deployment. While this is just a proposal at the moment previous proposals have all gone through as suggested of close to it.

Obviously, this is going to have a huge impact on the industry, in the short term however we expect and are already seeing signs of a rush to install similar to the last massive FIT rate cut and are putting on extra installation teams to accommodate.

If you, friends or family intend to have a Solar PV system installed then we would suggest you start to make plans ASAP. We still have installation dates available and offer the £100 “Refer a Friend” Scheme.

2 – 4kw All Black PV System £4,999 -  CTS Renewables has been able to secure package deals with the UK’s largest PV wholesaler and are able to offer 15/16 panel 4kw All Black PV systems using Seraphim 265 or Perlight Delta Black 250 along with a Solis / Zeversolar Inveter. These systems include a 10 year insurance backed warranty, VAT, scaffolding all fully fitted by our own installation teams. Please contact the office for further details.

3 - Manual Okofen Boiler Offer - Following the success of our 2014 autumn offer on the entry-level ÖkoFEN hand-fill wood pellet boiler, we are delighted to announce that we are able to bring you an even better deal in 2015. From September 1st - 30th November 2015, this beautifully designed Austrian boiler has been reduced by up to £2,500.

The Renewable Heat Incentive has been dropping over the past few months for Biomass Boilers because of its unexpected popularity, but following the next RHI drop on the 1st of October, we expect that to stabilise over the next few months. With the amazing reductions and the winter weather upon us, now is a great time to see if a biomass heating system is a good option for your home. And remember the domestic RHI for biomass currently pays 7.42p for every kwh required to heat your home for 7 years!

4 – Solar Thermal Deals – With much of the limelight over the years on Solar PV, Solar Thermal systems have seen a marked reduction in their popularity. That however, appears to be changing. In the last six months CTS Renewables has installed as many solar thermal systems than we have done in the previous four years. We attribute this partially to significant reductions in installation costs, partially to the introduction of the  domestic RHI scheme, but mainly we find that our sales come from our satisfied Solar PV, Biomass and Heat Pump Customers who are looking to add to their energy saving portfolio of products.

Solar Thermal Panels are a great addition to any property with a non-combi boiler based heating system as they can reliably provide domestic hot water over the summer months, enabling customers to reduce running times for their boilers over these months and also supplement hot water generation in the colder months. For those customers already accessing the domestic RHI for their Biomass or Heat Pump systems, you are still able to access the RHI for solar thermal in addition to your current RHI payments. The same can be said for Feed in Tariff payments.

In addition a significant proportion of our installations are fitted to properties with Solar PV and Immersun/Iboost systems. These technologies can complement each other as the solar thermal preheats the incoming cold water before it reaches the immersion heater element. The combination of the two technologies mean that you are able to greatly extend the days of the year for which the sun can heat your hot water. The average amount of roof space required for solar thermal is 1m² per person and a solar thermal compatible hot water cylinder will need to be in place or installed by our plumbers.

5 – Tesla Battery Backup – One of the founding principles of CTS Renewables is that we do not install equipment we would not be happy to install into our own homes. This has been particularly pertinent for the installation of battery backup systems. Current solutions on the market are either too expensive, too small (storage capacity) or too unreliable (battery longevity). This is true even for some large household name products which have entered the market.

However here at CTS Renewables we are getting very excited about the upcoming Tesla Powerwall System. Tesla manufacture electric sports cars, and are about to complete construction of the world’s largest battery production facility. The        Powerwall has all the hallmarks of a great product with suitable storage capacity, pricing and longevity. It can integrate into existing inverter systems, though Solaredge and Fronius are the only companies to officially partner with Tesla, oh and it looks great too!

We are in the process of becoming an authorised installer for Tesla so will keep you updated as it progresses towards the expected launch date in the new year.


Thank you for taking the time to read our newsletter, more information on ouR products and serivices can be found at www.ctsrenewables.co.uk, or you can call our office on 01623 422254.

Kind Regards


Matthew Baxter
Sales & Marketing Director

Tuesday, 24 February 2015

FIT and RHI Tariff changes to come into effect on 1st July.

Ofgem has announced that as of 1st of July there will be changes to the Tariffs for Solar PV, effecting systems from 0-4kw, 4-10kw and 50kw+. These will all be subject to the 3.5% digression model.

Additionally, both the Domestic RHI and Non Domestic RHI will see tariff digression at an expected 10% each.

CTS Renewables still have installation capacity for these works, phone our office for details.

Thursday, 22 May 2014

Claim your FREE* electric vehicle charging unit for your home.

Regardless of whether you have an electric vehicle (EV) or not, CTS Renewables has been awarded accreditation and funding from the Government to install a free EV charging unit at your home.

Cleaner on the environment and easy on the conscience, an electric vehicle is definitely the way forward. In the coming months almost every leading car manufacturer in the world will launch at least one plug in electric vehicle (EV) into the market with many launching multiple EV models, it is the future of motoring. An electric car charge point will become a vital component for millions of home owners and their visitors.

If you or your family are considering owning an electric car, why not take advantage of current, but limited government funding, and have a completely free charging point installed now. Not only will this smart bit of kit future proof your property, at a usual cost of around £1,500 it will also add value.

So what’s included in the free offer?

Thanks to the government’s “Offi ce for Low Emission Vehicles” free installation scheme, CTS Renewables are able to offer a package accessible to most UK homeowners. In order to be eligible you must be the homeowner or have permission from the homeowner, have off street parking adjacent to a suitable EV charger installation position, a good mobile phone signal to send anonymous usage data to OLEV in order to meet grant requirements and of course, an electricity connection!

If these few requirements are met CTS Renewables will assess the property for suitability and arrange an installation to include:

• A free 16 Amp charging point with universal vehicle connection facility. (more powerful 32 Amp charger available for small cost.)
• An additional two way consumer unit if current consumer unit is full.
• Fitting of an earth rod if necessary.
• Home unit to be located no more than 15m from electric distribution board.
• Supply cable will be affixed flush to the wall - not trenched or hidden behind walls/through joists.
• On site survey and standard installation by a fully-trained CTS Renewables electrician on the same day for
your convenience.
• 3 year warranty.
• If the installation is classed as “non-standard” it may still be completed at a small upfront extra cost.

AND REMEMBER YOU DO NOT NEED AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE
OF THIS FANTASTIC OFFER!





The domestic RHI scheme finally opens for applications on 9 April 2014.

The domestic RHI scheme opened on 9 April 2014. It is a financial incentive scheme designed to encourage uptake of renewable heating among domestic consumers. The domestic RHI is targeted at, but not limited to, homes off the gas grid. Those without mains gas have the most potential to save on fuel bills and decrease carbon emissions.

The scheme will cover single domestic dwellings and will be open to homeowners, private landlords, social landlords and self-builders. It will not be open to new build properties other than self-build.

The domestic RHI will pay the following tariffs per unit of heat generated for seven years:

Air-source heat pumps 7.3p/kWh
Ground and water-source heat pumps 18.8p/kWh
Biomass-only boilers and biomass pellet stoves with integrated boilers 12.2p/kWh
Solar thermal panels (flat plate and evacuated tube for hot water only) 19.2 p/kWh

The tariffs have been set at a level that reflects the expected cost of renewable heat generation over 20 years. Payments will be made on a quarterly basis.

The launch of the scheme follows extensive consultation on how a financial incentive would work best for householders and landlords.

Sunday, 14 July 2013

DECC confirms domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) tariffs

Householders could get paid hundreds of pounds a year for heat generated by solar thermal panels, biomass boilers and heat pumps, Energy and Climate Change Minister Greg Barker confirmed today.

The tariff levels have been set at 7.3p/kWh for air source heat pumps; 12.2p/kWh for biomass boilers; 18.8p/kWh for ground source heat pumps and at least 19.2 p/kWh for solar thermal.

The new Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) for householders is designed to drive forward uptake of renewable heat technologies in homes across Great Britain to cut carbon, help meet renewables targets and save money on bills. The scheme is a world first, and has been up and running for the non - domestic sector since November 2011.

Today’s announcement follows extensive consultation on how a financial incentive would work best for householders and takes into account lessons learned from the Renewable Heat Premium Payment grant scheme (RHPP) and the RHI non domestic scheme.

Greg Barker said:

“The Coalition is committed to helping hardworking families with the cost of living.

“Investing for the long term in new renewable heat technologies will mean cleaner energy and cheaper bills. So this package of measures is a big step forward in our drive to get innovative renewable heating kit in our homes.

“Householders can now invest in a range of exciting heating technologies knowing how much the tariff will be for different renewable heat technologies and benefit from the clean green heat produced. We are also sending a clear signal to industry that the Coalition is 110 percent committed to boosting and sustaining growth in this sector.”

Eligible applicants

The scheme will be made available to homeowners, private and social landlords, third party owners of heating systems and people who build their own homes. Anyone who has installed a renewable heat technology since 15 July 2009 and meets the scheme eligibility criteria will be able to join the scheme.

Eligible technologies

RHI domestic will support air to water heat pumps; biomass only boilers and biomass pellet stoves with back boilers; ground and water source heat pumps; flat plate and evacuated tube solar thermal panels.

Tariff payments

Payments will be made on a quarterly basis for seven years. The tariffs have been set at a level that reflects the expected cost of renewable heat generation over 20 years. In most cases, payments will be made based on estimated heat demand of the property. DECC will offer an extra set payment of £230 per year where consumers take out metering and monitoring support packages for heat pumps and £200 for biomass boilers.

Scheme requirements

Applicants will need to complete a Green Deal Assessment before submitting their application and must ensure they have met minimum loft (250mm) and cavity wall insulation requirements, where appropriate. All installations and installers must be MCS certified (or certified by an equivalent scheme). MCS certified installers are currently required to be members of the Renewable Energy Consumer Code, which is backed by the Trading Standards Institute.

Covering the upfront costs of renewable heating kit

Money off vouchers are available under the RHPP scheme. Householders who receive money under RHPP will have this amount deducted from any future RHI payments to avoid a double subsidy.

The RHI for householders will be administered by Ofgem and more details on how to apply will be published in due course. Pre-application enquiries should be directed to the Energy Saving Advice Service on 0300 123 1234.

DECC is currently finalising the details of the expansion of the non-domestic RHI scheme and will confirm the way forward in the autumn alongside the outcome of the tariff review. DECC’s aim to introduce these changes from Spring 2014 remains unchanged.

Government has also published the response to the consultation on revisions to the Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Quality Assurance programme which determines eligibility of this technology for support under the Renewables Obligation. The changes will apply to new CHP plants and will come into effect on 1 January 2014.