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.

CTS Solar renamed as CTS Renewables

CTS Solar is a trading name of Commercial Technical Services Ltd, a Mansfield based company specializing in the installation of building service technologies, for commercial, public sector and domestic clients. As a result of new renewable energy installation services such as solar thermal, Air Source Heat Pumps and Biomass, CTS Solar is to be replaced with CTS Renewables.

Matthew Baxter, Managing Director of Commercial Technical Services Ltd explained: “We established the grid tied Solar division of our business in response to numerous requests from our existing housing association and council clients following the installation of hundreds of Micro Solar powering solutions for Security and Communication networks, and the introduction of the Feed in Tariff Scheme.

The growth of CTS Solar has been exponential, with hundreds of domestic installations completed to date, a massive growth in 50kWp and above systems and acceptance onto several Housing Association and Council framework agreements. The division accounted for the majority of the company turnover in 2011/12.

Now our existing clients are looking at the Renewable Heat Incentive and Green Deal, and have asked us to provide options and solutions for these exciting new developments. We have Solar Thermal and Air Source Heat Pump provision already in place, Biomass and Wind Turbine installations should follow within a few short weeks.

As business, we have always tried to offer a “complete solution” for our clients, the launch of CTS Renewables is a natural progression for us”

More information about CTS Renewables can be found at the new website: www.ctsrenewables.co.uk.

50kWp Case Study: Nottinghamshire farmer installs 50kWp Solar Photovoltaic system on grain store to offset the cost of running a grain dryer.

Located in Edwinstowe, Nottinghamshire, J Bealby and Sons are arable farmers with a high energy expenditure running a grain dryer to keep its crops in ideal condition to achieve the best prices at market.

To offset some of these costs and to reduce the farm’s carbon footprint, Robert Bealby contracted CTS Renewables, the renewables division of Commercial Technical Services Ltd to design and install a Solar PV system to fit on top of the Grain Store itself. Keen to balance a quality of product, with local support network and value for money, Robert opted for the Sharp Polycrystalline range of panels working with the SMA Tripower inverters.

With the roof structure made of fragile corrugated fibre board, the whole works were planned over a two week installation period to take account of the specific Health and Safety requirements of the project.

Paul West, Solar Projects Manager at CTS Renewables said: “with the significant drops in stock prices over the last few months combined with the new planning guidelines, we have seen a significant growth in interest from the farming sector. The lower capital costs for a 50kWp system have made Solar PV a more attainable proposition”

Start date: 13/02/12
Completion date: 29/02/12
Modules: 209 x Sharp ND-R245
Inverter: 3 x SMA Tri power 17000TL
Mounting system: Hilti
Power Specification (kW, MW): 50kW
Annual Power Output (kW, MW): 43954.37
Annual carbon dioxide saving: 25.8 tonnes
Expected ROI: 5 Years.

140kWp Case Study: Completion of a 140kWp poultry farm is an eggcellent result!

CTS Renewables are pleased to announce the completion of a 140kWp Solar Photovoltaic system to a poultry farm in Lincolnshire. The installation, which was an addition to a 50kWp system already in place, saw more than 580 panels and 8 inverters installed in just 10 days.

Paul West, Solar Project Manager for CTS Renewables said: “even though the size of the system was considerable we managed to get it completed, commissioned and witness tested in just 10 days. The client was keen to register the installation before the April 1st, the design and install process was efficiently managed, and the whole team pulled together to meet the deadline.”

Due to the high electricity consumption on the farm, each shed has its own electricity meter enabling the system to be designed and commissioned as three sub 50kWp systems, therefore attracting the higher Feed in Tariff rate. The system is estimated to cut the farm’s fuel bills by up to 30 percent, enabling the farm to achieve a significant savings as a result of the PV installation. CTS Renewables estimate that the payback period will be just 5 and a half years.

The installation was completed using 240w Jinko Solar polycrystalline solar modules and the Siemens PVM range of G59 three phase inverters. The solar pv system is expected to produce over 126,000kWh of electricity per year.

Start date: 16/03/12
Completion date: 26/03/12
Modules: Jinko Solar 240W Poly
Inverter: Siemens PVM17 and Siemens PVM20
Mounting system: Schuco
Power Specification (kW, MW): 140kW
Annual Power Output (kW, MW): 126,081
Annual carbon dioxide saving: Over 60 Tonnes
Expected ROI: 5.5 Years.

10kWp Case Study: Manifold Cottage Farm utilizes 10kWp Solar PV system to offset Electricity and Heating bills.

Located in the heart of rural Staffordshire, Manifold Cottage Farm is a small holding with an ambition to generate all its own electricity and heating requirements.

Nathan Johnson, the owner of the farm commissioned CTS Renewables , to install a 10kWp Solar PV system to complement the Ground Source Heat Pump system already in operation. Ground source heat pumps use pipes which are buried in the ground to extract latent heat from the earth. This heat is then be used to heat radiators, underfloor or warm air heating systems and hot water in the home. The pump itself uses electricity and produces on average 4 units of heat for every unit of electricity consumed.

By installing a solar photovoltaic system the farm can offset the electricity used to heat the property with the electricity generated.

Nathan Johnson commented: “like many people I have become increasingly frustrated with energy price rises, by combining Solar PV with a Heat Pump system I am significantly less affected by fluctuating energy costs which gives me valuable peace of mind”

Completed in time for the 12th December 2011 deadline and installed in under four days using highly efficient Hyundai monocrystalline panels, Nathan can expect a healthy return on his investment, with the installation cost expected to be recouped within 5 years.

Start date: 15/10/12
Completion date: 19/10/12
Modules: Hyundai HiS-S245MG
Inverter: 2x SMA Sunny Boy 5000TL
Mounting system: Hilti
Power Specification (kW, MW): 10kW
Annual Power Output (kW, MW): 7157.92
Annual carbon dioxide saving: 5 Tonnes
Expected ROI: 5 Years.

20kWp Case Study: Hemsworth RUFC in conversion to Solar Photovoltaic energy.

Located between Wakefield and Barnsley, Hemsworth Rugby club has an enviable track record of investing into the club. Originally based in local pubs, they now have their own Clubhouse, playing fields and training areas which are wholly owned by the club.

Thanks to the foresight of the club committee and a funding contribution from Coalfields Regeneration Trust, Hemsworth RUFC can now add the installation of a 20kWp Solar Photovoltaic system to the clubs assets.

Working alongside CTS Renewables, the committee opted for the Sharp Polycrystalline range of panels working with an SMA Tripower inverter. The system will make a considerable dent in the club’s electricity costs and the returns from the Feed in Tariff will help to fund the running of the club and potentially lead to the purchase of new equipment and resources.

Brian May, Club President member said “Hemsworth RUFC is active within the local community and we are dedicated to promoting the sport as well as providing a great facility for everybody to access. The Solar PV system will support this commitment as well as provide an example to the community that the club is taking measures to reduce its environmental impact.”

Completed in time for the 3rd March deadline and installed in under four days the club can expect a healthy return on its investment, with the installation cost expected to be recouped within 5 years.

Start date: 20/02/12
Completion date: 24/02/12
Modules: 90 x Sharp ND-R230
Inverter: SMA Tripower 17000TL
Mounting system: Clenergy
Power Specification (kW, MW): 20kW
Annual Power Output (kW, MW): 18670.20
Annual carbon dioxide saving: 10 tonnes
Expected ROI: 5 Years.

From April 1, 2012, the brand of HIT solar modules in Europe will be changed from "SANYO" to "Panasonic"

Dear SANYO customer,

from April 1, 2012, the brand for HIT® solar modules will be changed from “SANYO“ to “Panasonic“ in Europe. The change will be made to the brand only. There will be no change to the sales structure and the HIT ® solar modules will continue to be manufactured at the same SANYO production bases as before.

The brand change will be carried out throughout in Europe. The brand change to “Panasonic” is being carried
out in order to focus the management resources of the Panasonic Group in order to create greater synergy and is part of the global strategy to expand the solar business of the Panasonic Group.

Panasonic will continue to provide investment into the solar business, allowing us to offer our customers and business partners a higher level of service and high quality solar modules.

Shigeki Komatsu,
Director of the European Solar Division