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Solar PV – Life under the Clean Energy Cashback Scheme

Tuesday, May 4th, 2010

We’ve now been running under the Government’s Clean Energy Cashback Scheme for just over a month and we thought we should provide a quick update as to how it’s affecting us, and our valued customers.

You may already know that towards the end of 2009 and early 2010, there was a shortage of solar modules. The situation improved and most manufacturers are reporting reasonable availability. However, the industry is now suffering from a shortage of solar components, in particulr solar inverters (which convert the energy from solar PV panels to use in the home or premises). This is as a result of rising demand which followed the announcement of the Clean Energy Cashback Scheme, extensions to subsidies in other European countries and a worldwide shortage of components required in the manufacturing process of Inverters.

Therefore, the majority of the UK’s solar PV installers are struggling to cope with the rise in demand, and sparse stocks. At Access Renewables we’ve been relatively fortunate in that we have planned ahead for the rise in demand and have secured a large amount of stock for our customers, which means we can often install systems more quickly than other suppliers – ensuring your system is installed before the summer!

We have stock of a wide range of solar modules from manufacturers such as Mitsubishi (PV-TD185MF5 module), Sharp (NU180E1 and NU185E1), Kyocera (KD210G2PU), Romag Powerglaz and Suntech STP210 to name a few. We also have frequent deliveries of Fronius, SMA, Diehl and Mastervolt inverters. And we’ve secured supplies for many months to come.

So, how is the Clean Energy Cashback Scheme directly affecting our customers? Well all customers are reporting quick success with dealing with the administration-side of things (we’ll take care of a large chunk of this), so the transition has been very smooth indeed.

If you are looking to install a Solar PV system, talk to us. We’ll get your system installed usually within a matter of weeks, meaning you’ll be enjoying the rewards of the summer sun much more quickly!

For more information, simply select your customer ground in the boxes above – you’ll be whisked away to the area which will be most relevant to you and your project. Alternatively, simply call us on 01642 606096.

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Announcement of the Clean Energy Cashback Scheme soon?

Thursday, December 17th, 2009

It’s almost Christmas 2009 and everyone who has been thinking about installing Solar Photovoltaics (or Solar PV to most) was hoping for an announcement to be made by the Department of Energy and Climate Change on what rates will be available when the scheme is expecting to start in April 2010 – a little over 3 months away…

But we are disappointed to report that an announcement has yet to be made (at time of writing) and it looks likely that we will not see one this side of the new year festivities. This is obviously a great disappointment for us, our customers and clients, and our suppliers and we will continue to monitor the situation very closely.

If you wish to receive notification when the details are announced, simply sign-up to our newsletter at the top of the page and we’ll send you a very quick email with the details in.

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Disruption to Solar Availability in the UK

Thursday, October 15th, 2009
Sharp NU180E1 affected

Sharp NU180E1 affected

The availability of Solar modules throughout the UK and Europe is being disrupted as a result of changes to Feed-in tariffs in other European countries, resulting in a spike in demand which has depleted UK stocks of a wide number of modules.

As a major installer of solar photovoltaic systems in the UK, Access Renewables are working with key suppliers to ensure the disruption is minimal during the shortage period, which is expected to return to normal levels in January.

However, we are urging customers who are looking to install systems between now and April 2010 – in particular those who may be eligible for grant funding from The Low Carbon Buildings Programme – to contact us to plan as far in advance as possible, to ensure that we can allocate sufficient levels of stock.

In April 2010, homeowners will no longer be able to receive the £2000-£2500 grant available to install Solar Photovoltaic systems in their homes as a result of the government’s Clean Energy Cashback scheme coming into force, which is expecting to reward homeowners with between 36.5 and 46.5p for each unit they generate. For systems installed now, and before April 2010, customers will be able to benefit from both schemes.

For public-sector clients, including schools, housing associations, charities, local authorities and government departments a grant of 50% may still be available if applications are made without delay. Again, these clients will also be eligible for the Clean Energy Cashback scheme starting in April 2010. All systems which are funded by The Low Carbon Buildings Programme must be installed by the end of March 2010.

In repsonse to the stock shortages and changes to funding schemes, Access Renewables have launched a new offer for Homeowners wishing to benefit from both schemes, and are offering high quality systems at market-leading prices by booking installations in advance. We’ve also reduced the deposit required from customers on these very special deals to just £250 rather than the standard rates of between 10% and 25%.

For more information on any of our systems, special offers orthe range of products and services we provide – use our contact form or call us on 01388 606024.

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Solar firm urges homeowners to act now

Tuesday, July 28th, 2009

Following the recent announcement by the government to introduce a feed-in tariff similar to those found in Europe, a solar installer is urging homeowners to act fact in order to obtain both a grant and access to the new feed-in tariffs.

Act now to benefit from both schemes

Act now to benefit from both schemes

County Durham-based Access Renewables is urging homeowners who are considering renewable energy to act “with speed” to benefit from both a grant to install solar PV and the new legislation being introduced early next year which will see the sale price of energy from their systems rocket from around 10p to 36.5p per unit, making solar photovoltaic systems a very healthy investment.

From April 2010, the government is proposing to introduce a ‘feed-in’ tariff which basically allows homes which have a solar PV or wind turbine to sell back any excess energy at a price around 3 times that of a standard unit of electricity bought from a power supplier. The government’s Low Carbon Buildings Programme also provides a grant of upto £2500 to homeowners wishing to install solar photovoltaic systems into the home.

Sean Collier of Access Renewables comments “We’ve been calling for feed-in tariffs such as those found in other European countries for many years now, and the recent announcement by the Government shows that they have listened to us. It will stimulate growth of the industry, providing much needed jobs whilst reducing the carbon emission of homes.”

The proposal to increase the amount self-generating homes are paid for putting green energy into the National Grid is expected to last for around 25 years – which coincides with the expected product life of the new solar PV systems. The means that a system installed into a typical UK home which installs a solar PV system could benefit from £1000 per year, based on income from exporting electricity and the savings of using energy generated.

For example: a typical UK home can install a 2.5kw solar PV system which would generate about 2,125 units (kWh) per year. Homeowners would receive 36.5p for each kWh unit they generate (2125 x 36.5p = £775), plus an additional 5p per each kWh they export (the average is around 50% exported= 1062 x 5p = £53). In addition to the income, the calculated savings as a result of not purchasing energy, instead using 50% of the energy from the installed system is £138 (1062 x 13p). So the overall expected benefit for the average installed PV system is £966 per year. Based on an installed cost of £10,000 including VAT and £2500 grant, the installation would return 9.7% per year.  

Sean Collier adds “The new tariffs mean that Solar PV has become more of an attractive investment, and boosted by the availability of a £2500 grant available until April next year, we are urging homeowners to install systems without delay”

Access Renewables design and install Solar PV systems which comply fully with both the Low Carbon Buildings Programme grant scheme, and the new feed-in tariff scheme. The installer covers the entire country, and installs systems into hundreds of buildings each year.

Notes to editor

  1. Access Renewables provides a range of systems including solar thermal, solar photovoltaic, wind turbines, ground and air source heat pumps and rainwater harvesting.
  2. Access Renewables are certified installers under the Microgeneration Certification Scheme.
  3. Access Renewables is based near Bishop Auckland in County Durham however regularly services clients throughout the UK.
  4. Figures quoted are general.
  5. Access Renewables are not a Financial Services company, so this example is indicative only. Customers are advised to contact an independent IFA for investment advice.
  6. Performance information assumes optimal pitch, location and orientation, using SAP2005 approved calculations.

Please contact Sean Collier – Access Renewables on 07534 252472 for further information, interviews or images.

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£45m now allocated into Major Funding Scheme

Friday, May 22nd, 2009
Following the Budget 2009 and in response to today’s announcement by the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) an additional £45 million of funding has now been allocated into the Low Carbon Buildings Programme, extending it until 2011.

 

The new allocation means that the scheme can continue to subsidise the cost of installing renewable energy systems such as Solar, Wind and Heat Pumps for homeowners, schools, charities and local authorities through until April 2011.

Access Renewables, an expanding renewable energy installer based in County Durham is one company which is expecting the recent announcement to have a positive effect on business. The company is currently involved with a number of projects which are expected to benefit from the new allocation of funding into the scheme, which has an overall target of reducing the CO2 emissions of homes and buildings across the UK.

Karen Jones, Managing Director of Access Renewables comments “The industry has recently been suffering from a slight downturn following uncertainty with the funding scheme following the planned end for the scheme, which was scheduled for June 2009, and the launch of feed-in tariffs in April 2010. As this left the industry in a temporary state of limbo, expansion plans had to be postponed and projects downsized. The recent announcement means that projects can be picked up where they left off, particularly those involving Solar PV and we can be confident in our planning for development and growth over the coming 12-18 months.”

For homeowners, the announcement means grants will continue to be available past the original deadline of April 2010, and that there will be enough funds to cover demand. For schools and local authorities, this means that the current backlog of Solar PV applications will soon be dealt with and not-for-profit organisations can continue to benefit from the scheme. Such organisations are urged to begin looking at renewable energy as a serious option before funding runs dry once more.

Access Renewables offer a complete service which includes design of renewable energy systems, advice and assistance for funding, access to finance for some clients, advice and assistance submitting planning applications, and the installation and maintenance of the renewable energy systems. Sean Collier of Access Renewables adds: “We aim to take the administrative burden from our clients by handling planning and funding applications, and arranging the installations to ensure everything runs smoothly. This is particularly advantageous to schools and charities which don’t have time to deal with it, freeing them up to concentrate on their own activities”.

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The rewards of a Solar home

Monday, May 18th, 2009

As a solar PV installer, we know the tangible and intangible benefits of a Solar home. What counts however, is results. And the results of an installation have been clearly identified by Ashley Seagar in a recent edition of The Guardian.

Mr Seagar touches on the impact the 3kw Solar Photovoltaic system is having on his consumption, his energy bills and his property in general. He explains how Solar PV makes an interesting case as an investment in light of plummeting interest rates, and growing financial remuneration from OFGEM’s Renewable Obligation Certificate scheme and in the launch of Feed In Tariffs to the UK marketplace.

We thought it would be a good to share this story with our potential customers, and we’ll be very happy to discuss any project in further detail. Simply complete the quick contact form found here.

You can find the Link to the article here: http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2009/may/09/green-your-home-solar-panels

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COMMENT: Backing Feed-in Tariffs

Wednesday, May 6th, 2009

Comments by Sean Collier:

Following our recent news posting about the ‘We Support Solar’ campaign we are backing, we thought it would only be right to discuss the situation at present regarding selling surplus energy back to the energy companies and how the industry is uniting to promote the cause.

The drive was kicked off by the start of the campaign which saw 500 hand-delivered letters to MP’s in Parliament. The letters urged them to support Solar technology ahead of the implementation of the feed-in tariffs, currently expected to begin in April 2010.

At present, there are several power companies offering rewards to owners of microgeneration systems which include solar PV and wind turbines. This usually involves a payment in return for sending excess energy back to the National Grid, and in most cases the energy is metered. It’s certainly a step in the right direction for the energy companies to offer such rewards, however they are often critisised for complicating the process and not offering as much as they should for exported energy. Hence the need for the Government to step-in and agree a suitable way forward for all parties.

In other countries around the world, the rate in which energy is sold back to the power company is significantly higher than any scheme currently in operation in the UK – and so it’s often argued that the UK is not doing enough to meet it’s European Carbon Reduction Targets.

Last year, the Goverment gained the powers to set feed-in tariffs for renewable energy projects below 5MW, through the Energy Act. So it too is making a step in the right direction, but consultations are ongoing with regards to the specifics of the scheme.

But what does this mean if you are about to implement a renewable energy project?
Well, firstly you can benefit from funding available for homeowners, public-sector organisations (such as schools, leisure centres and housing associations) and charities right now. The funding for the latter two is running out fast as the scheme will shortly be coming to a close. The likelyhood is, and this has not been announced yet, is that the Feed-in Tariffs (FITs) will replace any such scheme.

Secondly, you can benefit from renewable energy right now, knowing that over the coming years the value of energy exported should increase somewhat. Current Examples of schemes available include Scottish and Southern Energy reportedly offering customers 20p per kWh exported.  Good Energy are now paying 15p for each kWh unit generated, regardless of whether you use it or export it (ideal for homeowners) and are now even trialling a scheme for those with Solar Thermal systems and Heat Pumps! These tariffs are available now, and will most likely be increased in April 2010.

So our advice regarding Feed-in tariffs is: Benefit from grant schemes while you can. This could potentially combine with Feed-in tariffs in the future which will make it a very attractive proposition indeed. Feel free to get in touch with us (by using this handy form) to discuss how to maximise the benefits of installing a renewable energy system from us. We are always happy to discuss the best solutions with you, through open and honest advice and customer care.

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