Solar panels have been installed onto the roof of All Saints Church on Dunotter Avenue, Eaglescliffe as part of a wider project which helps the local community save energy, money and carbon emissions. Members of the Community Action for Energy Eaglescliffe (CAfEE), an outreach group from the church, planned the solar installation alongside other initiatives in association with The Energy Saving Trust and Stockton Borough Council.

The project was successful in obtaining funding from the EDF Energy Green Fund, The Low Carbon Buildings Programme and the Congregational and General Insurance Charitable Trust following around two years of planning by churchwarden John Doherty.

Sean Collier of Access Renewables comments “We are delighted that the church is now generating their own power after a tough 18 months of raising funds by Mr Doherty. We have worked with him for quite some time to get this project off the ground, assisting with funding applications and working to install the system – which is believed to be the largest of its kind in Teesside. The system not only benefits the church by reducing electricity bills but also serves part of the wider community to promote climate change and energy issues – which is the overall aim of the CAfEE project.”

The installation team at Access Renewables installed fifty-four Sharp solar PV modules which should provide almost 8000kwh of electricity each year, and reducing 112 tonnes of CO2 emissions over the lifetime of the system. The company are also supplying a display unit which records these totals for all visitors and church users to see.

Mr Collier adds “This project is a great example of what can be achieved through community participation in energy issues. As the most local installer to the church, we are delighted that the installation was carried out by local labour and solar modules from a UK manufacturer.”

The Low Carbon Buildings Programme was managed by The Department of Energy and Climate Change and provided both homeowners and public sector buildings (such as schools and councils) with funds towards the installation of renewable technologies such as Solar and Heat Pumps. The decision to close the fund came at the same time as Government announced spending cuts throughout the public sector.

The closure of the scheme prematurely will result in a number of projects, both large and small to stall or be cancelled entirely, putting pressure on renewable energy companies throughout the UK. In February this year the scheme unexpectedly closed all applications for electricity-generating projects (such as solar PV and wind turbines) following the announcement of the Clean Energy Cashback Scheme – which is now in operation. The recent cuts now mean that heat-producing projects (such as heat pumps and solar thermal) are no longer eligible for funding. The previous Government was planning to implement the Renewable Heat Incentive from April 2011, which was to operate in a similar manner to the electricity-based cashback scheme. However the future of the scheme is still uncertain. Therefore the gap between now and April 2010 will be difficult for installers nationwide.

Sean Collier of Access Renewables comments “The industry has had a very strange 12 months, first with original cuts and funds running low last year, and now the closure of the entire LCBP scheme throws a lot of projects into doubt and difficulty. We will be working hard with customers and suppliers to seek alternative funding and assistance, and we will be campaigning relentlessly to ensure the Renewable Heat Incentive is launched early next year.”

The scheme website suggests that all existing applications prior to closure will still be processed, and any customer who have already received their grant offer will still be able to make a claim against it.

The DECC has today confirmed that, under it’s Clean Energy Cashback Scheme, anyone who installs a solar PV system in the UK will be eligible to receive a set rate for each unit of energy that the system produces (kWh) plus an additional reward for any energy exported back to the National Grid.

All systems installed after 1st July 2009 will be eligible for the following rates:

• Solar PV – Under 4kw (retrofit) – 41.3p
• Solar PV – Under 4kw (new-build) – 36.1p
• Solar PV – 4-10kw  – 36.1p
• Solar PV – 10kw – 100kw  – 31.4p
• Solar PV – 100kw – 5mw – 29.3p

This means that for an average home installing 2kw of Solar PV onto their roof (at an assumed cost of £12,500) using a Microgeneration Certification Scheme-approved contractor would receive around £850 per year, plus reduce their energy bills by around £150.

The new scheme will be managed by OFGEM and will be administered through the customers current electricity provider. The rates are expected to be tax-free, and index-linked.

We are expecting this recent announcement to increase the demand for Solar PV systems in the UK, and so we are encouraging customers to contact us as soon as possible. On the 31st March 2010, the Low Carbon Buildings Programme grant scheme for homeowners will close, as the Clean Energy Cashback Scheme is to replace this. However, you can apply for the grant now (and have 3 months to install) and also benefit from the new scheme. Most homeowners will be eligible for a grant of £2000-£2500.

However, there is currently a shortage of Solar inverters and some solar modules across Europe, and the new scheme is likely to make the things worsen. So in order to meet the deadline for the grant, and to ensure you can have a system installed in time we really stress that you should contact us without delay.

As an expanding business involved in the supply and installation of Solar PV systems, Access Renewables are delighted to receive confirmation of the new rates and the commitment to the industry shown by DECC and the Government. This new package will provide the basis on which we can expand as a business - as levels of trade increase, so too will our company in terms of employees, abilities and strength. Sean Collier of Access Renewables comments: “The new figures seem fair and in-line with other EU countries. This should provide a real incentive to homeowners, businesses and other organisations to install systems for which they will be rewarded for financially, and not forgetting the non-financial rewards of creating green energy of their own. The expected increase in installations will enevitably result in more jobs in our business and the industry in general.”

Link to the DECC’s press release: http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/news/pn10_010/pn10_010.aspx

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.

The news was posted on the scheme website on 30th November 2009, and it means that any not-for-profit organisation who is planning on applying for the LCBP grant for Solar PV will no longer be able to achieve 50% funding from this scheme. All other technologies, including heat pumps, remain unaffected by this announcement and applications are being processed as usual.

Scheme now closed to Solar PV applications for public sector

Additionally, this recent announcement does not affect private grants for homeowners and the grant if upto £2500 to install solar PV on private properties will remain available until April 2010.

Today’s announcement isn’t the first time the scheme has closed after running out of funding. Earlier this year the scheme closed and the Department of Energy and Climate Change released further funding to ensure the industry would not grind to a halt. However, in April 2010 the government-led Clean Energy Cashback Scheme is to come into force which will provide a long term incentive to install renewable technologies such as solar PV and wind turbines. The new scheme is designed to replace the capital grants from Low Carbon Buildings Programme. Therefore we are not expecting the DECC or LCBP to announce any further funding for Solar PV projects.

Not-for-profit organisations are invited to discuss alternative methods of funding Solar PV installations with us to ensure there are no disruptions to project plans. We have access to alternative schemes and financing methods which will assist with the capital costs associated with the installation.

We will post any further news and announcements as they develop. For more information, visit the Low Carbon Buildings Programme website: http://www.lowcarbonbuildingsphase2.org.uk/

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.

 

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”.