Today (9th July) the Government has announced the new Feed in Tariff (FiTs) levels for large scale solar and anaerobic digestion. The new tariff levels will be introduced with affect of the 1st of August.

SOLAR PV:
>50 kW – ≤ 150 kW Total Installed Capacity (TIC) – 19.0p/ kWh
>150 kW – ≤ 250 kW TIC – 15.0p/ kWh
250 kW – 5 MW TIC and stand-alone installations – 8.5p/ kWh

ANAEROBIC DIGESTION:
≤ 250 kW – 14.0p/ kWh
>250 kW – ≤ 500 kW – 13.0p/ kWh

Unfortunately, for projects over 50kW this means a reduction in the cash-back available; however this is good news for householders, small businesses and communities who won’t be affected by these changes.

The fast track FiTs review looked at reducing the tariffs for large scale solar to protect the money available for smaller projects and the range of technologies supported under this scheme. When FiTs was originally introduced the number of large-scale projects to take-up the initiative was not anticipated, potentially resulting in finance running out too quickly. Every 5 MW large scale solar scheme would incur a cost of approximately £1.3 million per year, so if multiplied by 20 such schemes, for example, this would add-up to £26 million – money that could support PV installations for over 25,000 households.

Climate Change Minister, Greg Barker said: “The new Feed in Tariffs will ensure a sustained growth path for the solar industry while protecting the money for householders, small businesses and communities and will also further encourage the uptake of green electricity from anaerobic digestion.”

“I want to drive an ambitious roll out of new green energy technologies in homes, communities and small businesses and the FIT scheme has a vital part to play in building a more decentralised energy economy.

“We have carefully considered the evidence that has been presented as part of the consultation and this has reinforced my conviction of the need to make changes as a matter of urgency. Without action the scheme would be overwhelmed. The new tariffs will ensure a sustained growth path for the solar industry while protecting the money for householders, small businesses and communities and will also further encourage the uptake of green electricity from anaerobic digestion.”

Logic4training delivers Microgeneration Scheme (MCS) approved courses for domestic solar PV installers, who will not be affected by today’s announcement – if anything, business will continue to boom within this market. To book your place, click here.

For further information on the results of the Feed in Tariffs 2011 review visits the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) website.

Climate Change Minister, Greg Barker, has set out plans to ensure the Green Deal won’t rip off consumers.

The Green Deal is the government’s flagship energy saving plan to transform the country’s homes to make them warmer and cheaper to run. From next year, people will be able to access up to £10,000 upfront to pay for energy efficiency work, repaying the costs through savings on energy bills. Similar support will be available for businesses, with extra help for vulnerable people or those living in homes which need more work than Green Deal finance alone will stretch to.

The legal framework is currently progressing through Parliament under the Energy Bill and will be discussed at Committee stage in the House of Commons next week.

Greg Barker said: “The Green Deal will be the biggest home improvement programme since the Second World War shifting our outdated draughty homes from the past into the future, so it’s vital people can trust it. I have heard too many cases of shoddy workmanship or dodgy technology from Government schemes in the past so from day one there will be strict rules about standards, information will be readily available and there will be a proper route for complaints.

“We’ve already started putting in place the foundations for this and I am pleased the United Kingdom Accreditation Service has been formally appointed to ensure that installers and assessors will meet the necessary standards when the Green Deal starts next year.”

In a new document published today entitled ‘Consumer Protection in the Green Deal’, DECC has set out its plans for consumer protection and redress.

The document includes:
• Plans to set up a new Green Deal Code – to protect customers at every stage of the Green Deal from initial assessment to installation.
• Plans to set up a new Green Deal advice line – this will provide impartial advice and referral to accredited Green Deal assessors, installers and providers as well as a route for any complaints.
• The formal appointment of the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) – which will ensure assessors and installers adhere to robust standards in order to participate in the Green Deal.

Logic4training’s renewable courses are all approved under the Micro-generation Scheme, meeting the criteria of the Green Deal, Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) and Feed in Tariffs (FiTs).

Logic4training can now help building services companies and sole traders’ access funding of up to 70% off the price of renewables training. This fantastic opportunity is open to businesses in Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Essex (outside the M25), Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and Suffolk and is available thanks to a pot of money from the European Social Fund, delivered through the East of England Energy Group (EEEGR).

The funding has been put in place to encourage building services businesses to get into the green energy sector, in-turn reducing the carbon footprint of their customers. With initiatives such as Feed in Tariffs (FiTs), the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) and next year’s Green Deal, the demand for related technologies and equipment is on the increase, creating a strong market place for BS Engineers with the correct skills.

Available immediately and until money runs out, the following Logic4training courses are covered:
• Solar Thermal Domestic Hot Water
• Domestic Heat Pump Installer (Ground and Air Source)
• Domestic Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Installer

Between 50 – 70% off the cost of these renewable energy courses is available, with the amount each candidate receives dependent on company size. Decisions regarding this percentage are made by Nautilus, a third party organisation who will process applications.

Terms and conditions:

1. Funding is only available to companies and sole traders registered in Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Essex (outside the M25), Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and Suffolk. Proof of address, such as a signed company letter head, must be provided. In the case of holding companies, as long as the trading company has an operating address within the region they can apply.

1. Sole traders must provide proof of their status, such as official documentation from the HM Revenue and Customs (letter, tax return, card etc).

2. Funding will be allocated on a first come first serve basis and is limited.

3. Funding is not open to publicly funded bodies like councils

4. There is no limitation on the company turnover but, dependent upon the turnover, the funding level will vary between 50-70%.

5. Applications cannot be made after the training has taken place.

Call: 0845 845 722, email enquiries@logic4training.co.uk or visit our contact us page to make a booking.