Category Archives: Green Issues

Smart delays for smart meters?

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The roll-out of smart meters in 30 million UK homes has been postponed by more than a year. A recent Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) announcement claims the £11.7bn project will now commence in 2015 to enable the industry more time to design, build and test the communications system required. This, in turn, has seen the end of the roll-out extended to 2020 instead of 2019.

Once in place, the project is aimed at cutting energy usage in households across the UK to prevent the need to import more energy in the future. Smart meters were to be introduced to bring an end to estimated bill by showing exactly how much gas and electricity is being used in each home, by sending an accurate meter reading back to the user’s energy supplier every day.

The delay has been widely supported, receiving praise from Angela Knight chief executive of Energy UK, who explained: “We welcome the government’s decision to allow an additional 12 months to complete the smart meter programme. This recognises the scale of the programme and the need to prepare carefully.”

Backing this opinion, Ed Davey, Energy Secretary, added: “Completing the national roll-out will be an enormous logistical and technical challenge for the industry. Getting this right for consumers is the government’s priority.”

There was more positive news from Don Leper, director of new business at E.ON, who said: “We’re making great progress with our smart metering programme. While E.ON has been installing smart meters for more than two years, this decision now provides the whole industry with the time to make best use of the foundation period to ensure that all our customers benefit.”

An updated view of Smart Meters is planned for publication in late 2013. To a degree, however, the future of Smart Meters and their route to market lays in the balance in the face of the next general election scheduled for May 2015.

 

Solar Trade Association update

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The Solar Trade Association is constantly striving to improve the solar sector, for consumers and installers. Here’s an update of the bodies latest activity:

DECC Consultation on Domestic RHI

In the run up to the September 2012 consultation, STA formed a contact group for RHI and this group was involved in a number of meetings with DECC officials. Our intervention ensured that solar thermal was included in the RHI, rather than being side-lined into a grant scheme of its own (to follow the introduction of RHI), and that the consultation kept open the option of a grant above the “value for money” cap, and the idea of a cylinder grant.

The Consultation Response was prepared over several weeks with the help of the Thermal WG and with two opportunities for members to comment.

Subsequently, STA has been actively engaged with DECC, providing further information and clarification of some of the modelling that underpinned in the consultation response.

Clear call for 27p

STA has written to the Minister to ensure that the call for a tariff rate above the so-called “value for money” cap was heard directly.

Call for RHPP to be doubled

In response to the announcement of the delay to the RHI to spring 2014, STA proposed a doubling of the RHPP.  It has now coordinated a joint letter from all theUKrenewable heating trade bodies to the Minister  with this proposal.

Letter from UK Solar Manufacturers to Greg Barker

Stuart Elmes coordinated a letter from 14 companies with UK-based solar thermal manufacturing to the minister.  The letter was highlighting the large proportion of the value chain in theUK, and supporting the STA call for 27p.

Work in MCS WG to improve the energy calculation for solar thermal

If you can’t increase the tariff, then see what you can do to increase the deemed energy.  Stuart Elmes has been working within the MCS solar thermal working group to improve the energy saving estimate in the new draft of MIS3001.  The consultation draft included changes to the way the calculation will deal with occupancy, back up heater efficiency and hot water cylinder losses.  These changes double the solar energy estimate in some instances.

Work with BRE to improve the energy calculation for solar thermal

The calculation methodology for RHI is not settled, but SAP is behind all of the candidates.  Stuart Elmes has been in correspondence with BRE in relation to the treatment of solar thermal in SAP.  It is not possible to reveal details at the present time, but the STA is hopeful to achieve a significant boost to the solar thermal energy calculation.

 

For more information about Logic4training’s solar thermal courses, click here

For more information about Logic4training’s solar photovoltaic courses, click here

#Tweetforheat

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The Solar Trade Association is campaigning for the launch of a meaningful Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI), one which will encourage end-users to take advantage, while boosting business for renewable installers, particularly solar thermal ones.

This Friday (26th April) the Solar Trade Association needs you to #TweetforHeat

Stuart Elmes Chair of the STA Thermal Working Group has written an article on his personal blog which clearly spells out the effect of repeated RHI delays on the market for all the domestic scale renewable heating technologies.

The article suggests steps DECC could take right now to improve the market for domestic renewable heat.  If you agree with the proposals and have a twitter account, please tweet the following text on Friday 26th April, any time after 9am:

#tweetforheat @GregBarkerMP read this article on #RHI and please consider the suggestions http://www.solarblogger.net/2013/04/you-just-couldnt-make-this-p.html Please RT

Please also let others who might want to join in know about this. In common with other MPs, Greg Barker is a big user of Twitter, and this grass roots communication could help support proposals the STA has made behind the scenes.

New DEA course – on the road to the Green Deal

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Already a Domestic Energy Assessor (DEA)? Are you looking to further your career? You should consider up-skilling to become a Green Deal Assessor (GDA). There are huge employment opportunities presented by the launch of the Green Deal and it is not too late to tap into this new marketplace.

Logic4training has just updated its Domestic Energy Assessor course (City & Guilds 6361-01 Domestic Energy Assessor Course) to include four of the eight units covered by the Green Deal scheme, so candidates now only have to up-skill to qualify as a GDA*.

Green Deal Assessors hold the key to the gateway of this government scheme – no homeowner will have access to the Green Deal unless they have a qualifying assessment of building recommendations that could help improve the energy efficiency of their property.

Responsibilities include assessing the fabric of the building, reporting ways in which the owners could improve the level of energy performance certificate (EPC), as well as making an occupancy assessment to analyse and advise how the property is used.

Logic4training’s six-day DEA course includes a portfolio of evidence, which will be compiled by carrying out surveys within designated properties and the production of example certificates. Surveys of two properties are completed during the final day of the course. Candidates will also carry out a further three to five surveys independently. In addition to the building portfolio, trainees will complete three written and practical assignments.

Once the course has been successfully completed, candidates will be issued with a C&G 6361-01 Level 3 Diploma certificate, enabling them to register with one of the recognised accreditation bodies for Domestic Energy Assessors.

Entry requirements for the updated course include:

  • (preferred) knowledge of domestic building types, styles and ages
  • a reasonable knowledge of maths and basic computer skills
  • all candidates will undergo a Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check

This six-day course is available at Logic4training’s Northolt centre, costing £1,495 (ex.VAT).

*Existing Domestic Energy Assessors who wish to up-skills to become a GDA must hold the most recent version of the qualification (C&G 6361-01) unless they completed the DEA CPD course before 01/10/12.

Green Deal Cashback scheme announced

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Further details about the long awaited Green Deal scheme have been announced, providing a business opportunity for building services engineers with the right skills.

From January 28th homeowners in England and Wales can claim for Cashback on energy saving improvements like insulation, front doors, windows and boilers. Packages could be worth over £1000 - the more you do, the more you get.

Cashback will only be available to householders who get a Green Deal assessment, have work arranged through a Green Deal Provider (this could be directly with a national brand or through a local tradesperson linked with a Provider) and make a contribution to costs. Funding is limited so interested parties should get in quick before the money runs out.

If you have taken appropriate steps to become a Green Deal Provider/installer, encourage your customers to get assessments done early, as soon as the scheme opens, in order to apply and get approval for their Cashback voucher before improvement works begin.

CASHBACK ELIGIBILITY

The Cashback is open to any householder making energy saving improvements under the Green Deal, after 28th January 2013. This includes owner-occupiers, those renting  privately or in social housing. Landlords, both private and social, are also eligible where they pay installation costs, up to certain limits. In all cases, Cashback will be capped at 50% of the householder’s contribution to costs.

To qualify for the Cashback householders must:

  • Have a Green Deal assessment carried out on the property
  • Get and agree quotes from a Green Deal  Provider (this could be directly with a national brand or through a local tradesperson linked with a Provider)
  • Apply for Cashback voucher online or by phone. To make things easier some Providers will be able to apply on behalf of their customers
  • Receive voucher confirming the Cashback
  • Complete works within specified period
  • Redeem voucher, along with evidence of works completed, for Cashback.

Work must be done within a specified period – 6 months for Solid Wall Insulation, 3 months for other improvements and in all cases before 31 March 2014.

GREEN DEAL CASHBACK SCHEME: ELIGIBLE MEASURES AND CASH BACK AMOUNTS

These rates are guaranteed for the first £40m after which the rates are likely to reduce.  Up to £125m has been earmarked for the scheme as a whole.

Loft insulation (including top up) and insulating cavity walls (where appropriate) are important, basic energy saving measures.  So where a Green Deal assessment recommends these alongside other improvements, householders will only be able to get the Cashback if they do those too.

 

ENERGY SAVING MEASURE  CASHBACK LEVEL
Loft insulation (incl.top up) £100
Cavity Wall Insulation £250
Solid Wall Insulation* £650
Flat roof insulation £390
Room in roof insulation £220
Floor insulation £150
Hot water cylinder insulation (top up)** £10
Draught proofing £50
Heating controls (roomstat and/or programmer & time/temperature zone controls)** £70
Condensing oil boiler from non-condensing oil heating or other *** £310
Upgrade boiler to condensing gas boiler from non-condensing boiler or other. £270
Flue Gas heat recovery (condensing combi boiler) only alongside replacement boiler £90
New or replacement storage heaters £150
Replacement warm-air unit £60
Waste water heat recovery systems £60
Double/Triple Glazing (old single to A) £20 per m2 up to a maximum of £320
Secondary glazing £15 per m2 up to a maximum of £230
High performance replacement doors £40

FURTHER CONDITIONS OF CASH BACK

* A minimum of 50% of external walls must be insulated to qualify for a Cashback.

** Cannot be claimed at same time as boiler replacement (as this is a regulatory requirement).

***householders should consider their renewable heat options, as they could get a higher payment under RHPP now, for certain measures.

This presents opportunities for gas engineers, oil installers, plumbers and electricians who have met the Green Deal Code of Practice criteria. Make sure your training’s up to date.

For more information about this announcement, click here

If you would like to be notified when cash back becomes available, please call the Energy Savings Advice Service on: 0300 123 1234

 

 

The sun still shines on solar

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So, the solar market has taken yet another battering from the government with its recent reduction for the residential feed-in-tariff to 16pKw/h compared with 21p previously, plus the subsidy is now for 20 years instead of the 25 year duration formerly available.

The sun is still shining for the solar pv industry, however, and engineers looking to penetrate the market should not be put off, as solar still presents a no-brainer investment for homeowners interested in this technology.

Chief executive of the Solar Trade Association (STA), Paul Barwell, commented: “Compared to the returns you can get these days in banks and many other investments, solar provides a very solid and attractive return. That is particularly the case if you consider energy bills are rising faster than anyone expected. Solar gives people the opportunity to take control of their electricity bills and help us move away from fossil-fuel dependence.”

Figures reported by the STA state that a typical 4kw installation costing £8,000 would yield a rerun on investment of 11.8 per cent a year under the old FIT, though the same installation today would offer a 9.2 per cent investment – still impressive figures. In addition to this, the cost of producing panels has come down a great deal in recent years, as manufacturers become more competitive in the market.

Make a smart investment in your business and take up a solar pv course this summer. Logic4training provides qualifications for experienced domestic/commercial operatives wanting to add solar photovoltaics to their portfolio. T

The installation course is for experienced electricians and covers: regulations and standards, health & safety, AC & DC theory, pv cell types and benefits, pv external and internal site survey requirements, solar pv circuit design, pv system design and integration, setting to work and commissioning, and servicing and fault-finding.

For details of all our renewables training, click here.

 

 

Green Deal £7 million cash boost

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The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) has announced it has earmarked  million for The Green Deal Finance Company (TGDFC), which will allow the TGDFC to continue developing its offer of low-cost finance, expected to be available in early 2013.
Under the scheme, consumers are can repay the upfront costs of any work through a low-cost loan recouped through savings on energy bills, aka. ‘pay as you save’ loans.

The chief secretary to the Treasury, Danny Alexander, also announced that the Green Deal scheme is being considered for the use of guarantees for major UK infrastructure projects, and could potentially support up to £40 billion of investment. In addition, the register for Green Deal providers, assessors and installers is now open allowing organisations to begin the Green Deal authorisation process.

The DECC website now offers information on what is required to achieve the Green Deal Quality Mark and how to become an authorised provider, assessor and installer.

It is hoped that the Green Deal with open up the energy efficiency market, enabling small and medium-sized businesses to enter and innovate. Up to 60,000 jobs are expected to be created by the introduction of this energy efficiency scheme.

Logic4training delivers courses in renewable technologies which are covered by the Green   Deal, click here for more information.

Visit www.decc.gov.uk for further information.

Slump in solar photovoltaics market

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The Solar Trade Association (STA) says that after studying the deployment figures of solar PV, it is clear that the UK market has stalled since 1st April [2], when new energy efficiency criteria came into effect for the Feed-in Tariff (FIT). Total installed capacity for the past four weeks was 17MW [3], against a four-weekly average of 71MW over the past year.

The STA has written to DECC asking for a delay to the proposed July tariff cuts, and intends to meet with Energy Minister Greg Barker next week.

STA Chairman Alan Aldridge comments: “The STA has been seeking to counter the public confusion around solar in a bid to reignite the market (the Feed-in Tariff offers a ROI today which is as good as when it was first launched), but this effort will take some time to translate into sales. There is no doubt that solar is in better shape now than last autumn, but we need the Government to allow the market to adjust to changing circumstances before introducing the next round of tariff cuts.”

There are several reasons why the PV market – which throughout March was showing signs of recovery under the 21p tariff – may have stalled since April. The introduction of the new energy efficiency criteria is definitely a factor, but there are other, more fundamental concerns impacting consumer confidence, including the UK’s slip back into recession.

The market stagnation comes in spring – a time when the solar market should be at its busiest. While the current tariffs offer good rates of return, there is deep concern that further cuts will add to negative consumer perception.

Alan Aldridge concludes: “We are facing an unusual set of challenges right now and it is fundamentally a problem of confidence and perception. We need all champions of solar – in Government, industry and elsewhere – to help us get the message out that solar is still a great investment, particularly with energy bills on the rise again. But we also need Government to show real sensitivity to the current situation and work with us to create a stable and growing market.”

If you are a solar photovotaics installer, do your bit by explaining the benefits of this technology to your customers.

Logic4training delivers PV training for both designers and installers of these systems, click here for more information.

Second phase of the RHPP announced

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A second phase of the Renewable Heat Premium Payment (RHPP) scheme has been launched, starting from April 2nd and worth £10m more than the existing scheme.

The new money will help the RHPP go further including an £8m competition to encourage community groups to install renewable heating and £10m for social housing landlords. This will be on top of the existing voucher scheme focused on the four million homes in Great Britain which are not heated by mains gas.

This is particularly good news for installers in rural communities where most end-users with off-gas heating is located. Heat pumps, biomass and solar thermal are covered by the scheme, with homes and buildings that wish to install heat pumps and biomass having to meet energy efficiency criteria to qualify.

Climate Change Minister, Greg Barker, said: “The new Renewable Heat Premium Payment scheme will be bigger and better than the original. “We’re increasing the budget from £15m to £25m, for the first time we’re including community schemes and there’ll be more social housing schemes that can benefit. Those people who are reliant on expensive oil or electric heating should consider applying to the Premium Payment scheme to cut their fuel bills in the long term.

“Generating heat from renewables will not just cut carbon emissions, it will also help create a market in developing, selling and installing kit like solar thermal panels or heat pumps.”

The scheme will continue to be administered by the Energy Saving Trust. Karen Lawrence, Energy Saving Trust Director of Delivery, said: “Our aim is to empower householders by giving them the right tools and advice to help them reduce both their energy usage and bills.

“Without a doubt, one of the main barriers that prevents people from taking the plunge is the up-front capital cost. The announcement of the second phase of the government’s Renewable Heat Premium Payment (RHPP) scheme not only offers homeowners help with the initial costs, but it also provides them with access to heat technologies that can help them to reduce their energy bills, year on year.”

With yet another incentive to consider renewables, heating and plumbing installers who haven’t yet done so should consider up-skilling with appropriate training.

For more information about our range of Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) recognised courses, click here.

Replacement boilers drives demand for Green Deal

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New building regulations have been put-forward this week that will drive demand for the Green Deal. Announced by Communities Minister, Andrew Stunell, under the proposals, from October this year, existing homes that undertake works such as new extensions could be required to invest in energy efficiency improvements – financed through the Green Deal.

Other works covered include replacement boilers and the installation of multiple domestic windows – these won’t be included until April 2014 however and at this point non-domestic buildings will also feature.

“The DCLG (Department for Communities and Local Govenment) estimates there are 2000 new extensions every year, 1.4 million boiler replacement and one million new windows replaced. This could be a significant demand driver (for the Green Deal) if it goes ahead,” a spokesperson for the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) said.

Under the Green Deal, the Government aims to insulate 14 million homes by 2020. From the autumn, it will allow homeowners to take out loans to pay for energy efficiency measures with the guarantee that the savings on their energy bills will be greater than the loan repayments. At its peak the Government estimates it could support up to 250,000 jobs.

In the same announcement, the Government also set out how it would like to see move towards zero carbon standards for new buildings from 2016. The proposed changes are complex, but would be introduced from 2013 and would tighten the CO2 targets for new buildings and introduce a specific energy efficiency target for new homes.

The Government’s preferred standards for new non-domestic buildings are more ambitious, and are likely to require renewable energy generation technologies, such as solar panels, being integrated into the building, as well as improvements to the building fabric.

“The Coalition is committed to being the greenest government ever, so improving the energy efficiency of our existing buildings through the Green Deal, and ensuring that all new homes are zero carbon by 2016 is a top priority,” Stunell said.

The Building Regulations consultation, which also looks at electrical safety in homes, among other issues, runs until April 27 2012. Responses to Green Deal proposals, however, need to be in by March 27 2012.