We have this in writing so it is good news as installers can now advise potential customers who install a system with an eligibility date between the 12th of the December and the 31st of March that they will receive a tariff no less than 21p from the 1st of April 2012.

Ofgem Quarterly update shows an over 2 fold increase of solar installation during Q6
Ofgem released the figures of FiT registered during the last quarter (from 1st of July to 30th of September 2011). The number of solar PV registered installation was 35,000. This figure represents a 2.5 increase from the previous quarter. Domestic installation continue to represent most of the FiT installations with 73% of the total number of installations, followed by Commercial (22%), industrial (3%) and Community (2%)

The total solar installation capacity has reached nearly 80,000 installations for the first 18 months of the scheme. The number of installations has continued increasing across all regions but the increase has been greater in the South East and South West. More details here

SAP consultation is launched
DECC launched a consultation on changes to the Standard Assessment Procedures (SAP). SAP is a tool for assessing the energy and environmental performance of dwellings that is applied in key climate change policies such as the Green Deal or the Renewable Heat Incentive.

The consultation proposes five main amendments: Carbon dioxide emissions factors, use of regional weather data, heating and hot water systems with boilers, insulation and extent of primary pipe work, default seasonal performance factors for heat pumps. The consultation document and a list of questions are available here Comments are invited and should be sent to sap2012@bre.co.uk not later than 28 March 2012. Further details can be found here

Progress Update for the Renewable Heat Premium Payment scheme

The RHPP was launched by DECC on 1st August 2011 and is being managed for DECC by the Energy Saving Trust.  It runs until 31st March 2012 and provides a one-off payment to home owners for the installation of solar thermal hot water (£300), air source heat pumps (£850), ground source or water source heat pumps (£1,250) or biomass boilers (£950).  Various conditions apply – please refer to the above websites.  There is also funding available for social housing projects (though note the deadline for bids has passed).  The scheme has a total budget of £15m, with a review point after £10m has been allocated.  To provide an indication of demand, EST is publishing a weekly update on its website.  The most recent figures (18 December) show that since 1st August, 3,831 vouchers totalling £2.92m had been issued, with numbers of vouchers broken down as follows: solar 32%, GSHP 19%, ASHP 34% and biomass boilers 15%. EST also report that 1,380 vouchers have been redeemed to date, though no breakdown is given between technologies. The current rate of demand for vouchers is insufficient to achieve DECC’s budget, bearing in mind that systems must be installed in time for vouchers to be claimed by 31st March 2012 latest.

EPIA announces solar panels future WEEE disposal compliance
Following a long negotiation between the European Council, European Commission and EPIA (European Photovoltaic Industry association) WEEE Directive (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) was agreed upon yesterday.

As a result of this legislation “PV panel producers will have to ensure the collection and the recovery of end-of-life products. Producers may choose to fulfil their obligations either individually or by joining a collective scheme”

Once the EU institutions have adopted this piece of legislation, member States will be required to implement this legislation into their national legislation in the following 18 months. More details here

Solar Heating White Paper – Call for Case Studies
STA Thermal Working Group is preparing a new report that outlines the potential for solar thermal energy in the UK.  It is aimed at policy makers and commentators with the goal of influencing policy in a positive direction for solar heating.

We are looking for case studies to include in the report to underline the massive untapped potential for solar heating.  In particular we are interested in any solar installations providing heat to:
(a) Industrial processes
(b) District heating systems
(c) Communal heating systems
(d) Both space heating and hot water (so called “combi” systems)
In addition to helping raise the profile of the industry to the benefit of all, contributors will be promoting their company as the report will acknowledge sources.

Please contact emarro@solar-trade.org.uk with a short email describing your project.  Don’t worry if the project is not currently written up as a Case Study – if it covers the right area we can do this after a short telephone interview.

Evidences inquiry on solar PV FiT consultation are published
The Energy and Climate Change and Environmental Audit Committees have published their report on “Solar Power Feed-in Tariffs” (HC 1605) on Thursday 22 December 2011. The report is available in the following link here. A summary of conclusions and recommendations is available here

www.decc.gov.uk