June 1, 2012
Cut off date for new FIT rate is set for 1st August 2012
The Government announced plans that are designed to provide long term sustainability for the FITs scheme and better value for money for consumers, allowing customers and businesses to plan their investments with confidence.
The key points include:
- A tariff of 16p/kWh will take effect from 1
- Increasing the export tariff to 4.5p/kWh for new installations (from 3.2p/kWh)
- Reducing the tariff lifetime from 25 to 20 years for new PV installations.
- Multi-installation tariff set at 90% of the standard generation tariff, rather than 80% as at the moment, reflecting latest evidence on the costs of such projects.
- New tariffs will still provide rates of return of over 6% for typical installations, which makes solar PV a very attractive investment.
- New cost control mechanism will reduce solar PV tariffs automatically in line with deployment.
- Degression can occur every three months however the rate of degression is dependent on the volume of deployment
- If deployment has been low, then degression can be skipped.
Please click here to read a full summary from DECC.
May 4, 2012
What rate can be expected in the July feed-in tariff cuts?
The UK solar industry is today anticipating the future feed-in tariff rates as we move from the month of April into May. After Government announced it’s intention to base the new rates on installation figures seen between March 3 and the end of April 2012, all eyes have been on the FiT database.
read more on this article at the Solar Power Portal
March 30, 2012
New legislation, planning permission no longer required for commercial solar pv installations
From April 6 this year planning permission will no-longer be required to install solar PV or solar thermal on non-domestic buildings. The new rules will also mean that ground-mounted systems up to 9m2 will be able to go ahead without a planning application.
The new regulations, which are coming into affect by an amendment to Permitted Development Rights (PDRs), will have a great impact on the requirements for planning for retrofits on commercial and agricultural buildings. Those who were held back, or forced to cancel projects due to the delays planning caused when the feed-in tariff changes were going through, will no longer face such restrictions.
read more on this at the solarpowerportal
March 22, 2012
February 22, 2012
‘Energy Performance Certificates’ required to qualify for full feed-in tariff for solar pv
It has been announced that as of April 1, 2012 all new solar PV systems wishing to receive the full feed-in tariff rate available will have to be accompanied with a valid EPC level D. Following mounting confusion, DECC has confirmed that a solar installation will contribute to bringing the property up to EPC level D.
Read more on this story at the solar power portal
February 10, 2012
DECC announce new cost control mechanism
On February 9, DECC launched a consultation on its decision to move the FiT scheme towards a tariff structure that is able to respond directly to levels of deployment, replicating a successful model that has been deployed in Germany.
DECC proposes that the starting tariff levels for July 1, should be set dependent on the levels of actual deployment of solar in March and April. As a result DECC has modelled for three different scenarios depending on the level of capacity installed in March and April.
DECC’s proposed July 1 tariff rates are outlined below:
| Band (kW) | 1 April tariff | Option A | Option B | Option C |
| ≤4kW | 21p | 13.6p | 15.7p | 16.5p |
| >4kW-10kW | 16.8p | 10.9p | 12.6p | 13.2p |
| >10-50kW | 15.2p | 9.9p | 11.4p | 11.9p |
| >50-150kW | 12.9p | 7.7p | 9.7p | 10.1p |
| >150-250kW | 12.9p | 5.8p | 8p | 10.1p |
| >250-5000kW | 8.9p | 4.7p | 6.8p | 7.1p |
| Stand alone |
8.9p | 4.7p | 6.8p | 7.1p |
The most conservative option released by DECC would see FiT rates slashed by over 20 percent in July, Option A would see March tariff levels slashed by 35 percent. A 68.6 percent drop in just 8 months. A further 5 percent reduction on the July level of tariff will be enacted in October, with 10 percent reductions being introduced every six months thereafter.
Read more on this story from the solar panel portal
source: solar panel portal
February 9, 2012
Demand for solar pv desktop appraisals is on the up!
This week the Brewster’s solar team have seen a huge increase in the demand for our ‘desktop appraisals for solar pv installations’. This is a clear indication that the solar industry is far from dead. The welcome revival is thanks to the appeal allowing the 43p tariff to remain in place until March. The rush is on again with consumers making sure their arrays go up in time! 
Call us now on 0800 027 5130 to get your ’sample pack’ today. Choosing Brewsters for your structural engineering advice couldn’t be easier and with prices starting from £75 + VAT we aim to keep the process as simple and straightforward as possible.
Remember, checking the structural integrity of the roof prior to installing panels provides peace of mind, ensures insurability and will safeguard the future saleability of the property.
January 25, 2012
Government loses second case on solar tariff cut
The government has failed in an appeal against a decision which blocked its attempts to reduce solar subsidies.
read more on this article direct from the BBC
January 5, 2012
Solar panel installations – DECC announce figures for 2011
The Department for Energy and Climate Change have reported since the December 12th deadline the number of solar pv installations dropped by a staggering 98% based on figures for the week prior to the 12th.
The figures released by the DECC illustrate the boom following the Government’s announcement to cut the FiT rate on 31st October and how in just 6 weeks the UK more than doubled its capacity, with 43% of 2011’s capacity being put in place after the announcement.
The deadline has no doubt been devastating for a considerable amount of our clients but the requirement for our desktop appraisals since the deadline shows that installations are still going ahead, albeit at a much slower pace.
Our figures for November showed that out of all desktop appraisals undertaken for that month, 83% passed successfully with no strengthening works being required.
To find out how we can help you and provide the MCS installer’s clients’ with complete peace of mind, check out our services for solar pv installers here or call to speak to one of our advisors on 0800 027 5130.
December 16, 2011
Judge grants High Court hearing over FiT cuts
A judge has ordered an urgent hearing of a High Court challenge over Government plans to cut financial incentives afforded to solar photovoltaic technology…..
read the whole article from the Solar Panel Portal