News Round-Up - 08/07/14
After a lengthy hiatus, the Duncan Renewables’ News Round-Up is making its highly-anticipated return with news on the latest tariff reductions, the Duncan Renewables’ Summer Tour and the changing role of Solar within the UK.
____________________________________________________________________
Feed-in Tariff (FiT) and Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) tariff reduced – 01/07/14 DECC
Following the popularity of the FiT and RHI schemes, tariffs for both of these schemes were reduced from 1st July 2014 onwards. Listed below are the amendments to the government grants distributed by each scheme.
Introduced in April 2010 and intended to encourage the development of the solar micro-generation, the Feed-in Tariff has previously been the subject of negative media attention due to a series of tariff cuts. Despite the lower tariff rates, investors could still expect Return on Investments (ROI) of 8-12%. Below are the new tariffs for FiT:
| Description | 1st April 2014 – 30th June 2014 Standard Tariff (p/kWh) | 1st July 2014 – 30th September 2014 Standard Tariff (p/kWh) |
|---|---|---|
| <4kW New Build | 14.38 | 14.38 |
| <4kW Retro Build | 14.38 | 14.38 |
| 4 – 10kW | 13.03 | 13.03 |
| 10 – 50kW | 12.13 | 12.13 |
| 50 – 100kW | 10.34 | 10.34 |
| 100 – 150kW | 10.34 | 10.34 |
| 150 – 250kW | 10.25 | 9.89 |
| 250kW – 5MW | 6.61 | 6.38 |
| Standalone | 6.61 | 6.38 |
The Non-Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive offers quarterly payments for 20 years and is aimed at businesses and multiple domestic district heating systems. On 30th April 2014, it was announced that the below reductions would be made to Small Commercial Biomass:
| Description | 1st April 2014 – 30th June 2014 Standard Tariff (p/kWh) | 1st July 2014 – 30th September 2014 Standard Tariff (p/kWh) |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | 8.8 | 8.4 |
| Tier 2 | 2.3p | 2.2p |
To find out more about these reductions and how they might affect you, click here. Alternatively, visit us at the Great Yorkshire Show on 08-10th July to discuss renewable energy incentives with DECC and our team of experts.
__________________________________________________________________________________
Duncan Renewables hit the road this summer!
The sun is shining (hopefully!) and if you’re lucky, the team from Duncan Renewables will be making their way to a trade show somewhere near you! With the Holker Garden Festival, Cumbria and the Malton Agricultural Show already done and dusted, the Duncan Renewables grand summer tour has well and truly begun!
As our team of experts travel around Northern England in the coming months, they’ll be available to discuss and advise on solar PV, solar thermal and biomass technologies. We’ll also be exhibiting and demonstrating a range of technologies including (but not limited to!) solar thermal roof installations and biomass boilers.
You’ll be able to find us at the following shows:
The Great Yorkshire Show: 8th-10th July (Including appearances from DECC, Billington’s Biomass and Lake’s Biomass)
Driffield Show: 16th July
Ryedale Show: 29th July
Lowther Show: 9th-10th August
Westmorland Show: 11th September
With a jam-packed summer ahead, we hope you’ll join us along the way!
__________________________________________________________________________________
Support increases for solar- 04/07/14 Solar Trade Association, Business Green
Usually a day reserved for the celebration of all things state-side, the Solar-Trade Association (STA) put a spin on Independence Day by introducing solar education. As a result, STA members opened up their solar farms on 4th July to schools and communities in order to educate on how solar farms improve the environment and economy. A total of 18 solar farms held a free open day event and with just one BELECTRIC farm attracting 150 visitors, public interest in solar is becoming increasingly evident.
In a bid to encourage the continuation of a thriving solar sector, more than 150 businesses on 07/07/14 urged Prime Minister, David Cameron, to reconsider proposed changes to subsidies. These businesses fear that these changes will grind the solar farm industry to a halt next year. With the government having proposed plans to refocus investment from ground-mount solar to rooftop installations, critics argue that the changes will fail to boost the rooftop market and will instead cause an investment hiatus for the solar farm sector.
It remains to be seen as to how the government will respond to the criticism, but Duncan Renewables will keep you up to date on any major developments.
Read the full story here
