The recent announcements surrounding the feed-in tariff (FIT) and renwable heat incentive (RHI), are (generally) fantastic news for the renewable industry. But the Government seems to have forgotten about rainwater harvesting.

Whilst technically not a renewable technology, water is still an important resource that needs to be preserved. We need it for almost everything we do.

But what do pioneers of RWH get by way of incentives? Unless you are a business user, where you can claim enhanced capital allowances, you get absolutely nothing. No grants, no additional payments. Nothing, other than the satisfaction of preserving, probably, the most valuable commodity around.

But, do you hear these people complain? No. Unlike the pioneers of solar and wind who will miss out on the full FIT payments, but will still get paid an additional sum, on top of the savings and probably obtained a grant to aid installation? (Let me add, at this point, that I do support your cause!). Probably once the RHI payments are confirmed and it becomes common knowledge, there'll be a petition from the solar thermal pioneers too.

This is not intended to be a rant, but an attempt to make people think. I could go into more details about the (poor) financial benefits of rainwater harvesting (RWH) compared to say solar thermal, but I have covered that in previous blogs.

I would welcome your thoughts on this. Should we start a campaign for better financial rewards for RWH pioneers? But ... should it be just about the money? Or should we really be thinking of the environment?

Picture by Tanais Fox

About the author: Barry Nutley is co-founder and director of Viridis Energie Consultants

If you have a question about anything in the above blog, please ask it in the comments section below.