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Radical ideas to change the energy sector wanted
Posted by Cathy Debenham on 13 October 2010 at 12:22 pm
Have you ever had an idea about how we could do things better? Well now's your chance to feed-in to what the future of energy generation, distribution, storage and use might look like. Ideas tend to come when your mind's not on them. When you're out for a walk, having a shower, cooking the tea. N…
'Free' solar panels are not a great deal, says Which?
Posted by Cathy Debenham on 5 October 2010 at 2:10 pm
Installations companies stand to benefit more than consumers from 'free' solar pv panels according to new research from Which?. They found that householders could save as much as £10,500 over the next 25 years by buying their own solar pv panels (to generate electricity) instead of signing up to…
Do solar panels affect house sales?
Posted by Cathy Debenham on 29 September 2010 at 3:35 pm
A solar panel installation should make a house more desirable, shouldn't it? There's the saving on energy bills from using home-generated electricity, and even at the lower early adopters feed-in rate the combination of generation rate and export rate begin to add up to a nice bit of extra income. …
Feed-in tariffs: make sure your installer is accredited
Posted by Cathy Debenham on 24 September 2010 at 8:53 am
Feed-in tariffs are only available if you are installing an MCS accredited product and using an MCS accredited installer. There's no margin for error on this, so it's worth checking that this is the case before going ahead with an installation. Without the feed-in tariff the return on your investmen…
7 days left to register for feed-in tariff (from ROCs)
Posted by Cathy Debenham on 22 September 2010 at 2:22 pm
Around 1,500 early adopters of microgeneration haven't yet transferred from the renewable obligation (RO) scheme to feed-in tariffs. All microgenerators with a solar PV, wind or micro-hydro system of less than 50 kW) that was registered under the renewable obligation MUST fill out a form and return …
Heat pumps: 7 top tips for installers
Posted by Cathy Debenham on 22 September 2010 at 9:08 am
"Many heat pumps appeared to be installed incorrectly." reports the Energy Saving Trust in its recent report on field trials into 83 installations of air source and ground source heat pumps. This is disheartening news, and we thoroughly endorse its recommendation that guidance to, and training of, i…
Renewable heat incentive: uncertainty lessens a bit
Posted by Cathy Debenham on 21 September 2010 at 4:12 pm
Chris Huhne admitted that he and Oliver Letwin had forgotten about the renewable heat incentive when they were drafting the coalition agreement - and so take some responsibility for the uncertainty around it. He also said "we see heat as being an absolutely essential part of meeting our renew…
Chris Huhne breaks promise to microgeneration pioneers
Posted by Cathy Debenham on 21 September 2010 at 10:06 am
Caroline Lucas (Brighton, Pavilion) (Green): Will the Government backdate the clean energy cashback scheme and any future renewable heat incentive to ensure that those who pioneer the technology are properly rewarded and supported? Chris Huhne: The hon. Lady makes a point that is dear to m…
Government breaks feed-in tariff promise for early adopters
Posted by Cathy Debenham on 16 September 2010 at 5:44 pm
Tories and LibDems both promised equal feed-in tariff rates to early adopters of renewable energy in the run up to the general election. Now the coalition government has broken that promise and we're calling on early adopters, and others that care about the shift to renewable energy, to let their M…
Heat pumps: 12 tips for people thinking of installing one
Posted by Cathy Debenham on 13 September 2010 at 10:03 am
Heat pumps are worth considering if your home is one of the 5 million or so that is off the gas grid, or in new build properties, according to new field trials from the Energy Saving Trust (EST). It offers the following advice for people thinking of installing a heat pump. 1. Th…
Heat pumps: field trials reveal good and bad installations
Posted by Cathy Debenham on 13 September 2010 at 9:17 am
The good news is that heat pumps can operate well in the UK, as long as they are well-designed and installed, and the customer understands how to use the controls. The bad news is that the Energy Saving Trust’s (EST) field trial of 83 heat pumps found that isn’t always the case. System effici…
Find out what an energy efficient home really looks like
Posted by Cathy Debenham on 7 September 2010 at 2:22 pm
SuperHome owners across the country are throwing open their doors this month to inspire others to reduce the energy needed to run their house. These aren't high tech new builds, but old homes, that the owners have renovated to reduce carbon emissions by at least 60%. Convinced that seeing is beli…
Feed-in tariff registration: why is it taking so long?
Posted by Cathy Debenham on 3 September 2010 at 9:55 am
I've heard a number of complaints from people about how long it's taking to register their solar or wind installation for the feed-in tariff, so when I was talking to Ofgem about grants this week, I asked about that too. It appears that the delay is mostly in migrating installations that were reg…
Good news on grants and feed-in tariffs
Posted by Cathy Debenham on 1 September 2010 at 2:22 pm
Many schools and community groups are being told they can claim the feed-in tariff and keep grants received under the Low Carbon Building Programme, following months of uncertainty. Under threat of having to pay back their grant many organisations faced financial difficulty. Their calculations pr…
Solar hot water: It's the best thing I ever did
Posted by Cathy Debenham on 31 August 2010 at 9:53 am
Solar thermal panels are a no-brainer for John Wood of East Devon, as he explains in this video: …
Poll reveals Government is on the wrong track with Green Deal
Posted by Cathy Debenham on 23 August 2010 at 12:01 pm
The Government is talking to big national retailers about delivering the Green Deal, yet our poll on YouGen found that 84% of people would trust locally-based, specialist suppliers more than national retailers such as M&S, Tesco (15%). The idea for the poll came from Greg Barker saying that "…
Selling the electricity you generate to the grid
Posted by Cathy Debenham on 20 August 2010 at 10:13 am
The feed-in tariff has made it simpler to sell the electricity you generate, but don't use in the house, back to the grid. It has set standard rates to be paid for electricity generated which are dependent on type of technology and size of system, and all exported electricity is paid at 3p per kWh. …
Biogas -an inspiring tale from the Ashden Awards
Posted by Cathy Debenham on 16 August 2010 at 10:56 am
Inspiring is the only word to describe a day at the Ashden Awards 2010. Sustainable energy champions from around the UK and from the all over the world are recognised for the work they do, and it’s a great privilege to hear them describing the difference they make to people’s lives. The overs…
Free solar panels: is it too good to be true?
Posted by Cathy Debenham on 11 August 2010 at 8:54 am
Solar PV panels worth £10-12,000, installed on your roof, free of charge - it sounds too good to be true, but is it really? The 'rent a roof' model, as it is known, is proving attractive to installers and investors. A Shade Greener, Homesun and Isis Solar are just three of companies offering the…
Feed-in tariff for early adopters: an update
Posted by Cathy Debenham on 6 August 2010 at 10:28 am
Prior to the general election, the Conservatives promised that early adopters of microgeneration technologies would receive full feed-in tariffs (and not the much lower 9p rate currently on offer). Since the coalition government formed there has been a deafening silence from Whitehall on the subject…
Feed-in tariffs boost growth of UK solar panels
Posted by Cathy Debenham on 23 July 2010 at 9:15 am
The feed-in tariff is expected to boost growth of solar panels on British roofs fivefold this year, and 30 times over by 2015 according to a report from Price Waterhouse Coopers. By 2015, the researchers estimate that 1,000 MW of electricity will be generated by solar photovoltaic (PV) panels. Ev…
Solar hot water delivered quicker and cheaper
Posted by Cathy Debenham on 20 July 2010 at 9:10 am
A system that delivers solar water heating at a lower cost, quicker installation and with no need to buy a new cylinder was one of the finalists in the 2010 Ashden Awards for sustainable energy. John Willis invented the Willis Solasyphon because he found that the cost and disruption of installing…
Solar panels are now an investment opportunity
Posted by Cathy Debenham on 16 July 2010 at 11:40 am
There are lots of reasons people install solar panels on their roof. It may be to protect themselves from rising energy prices, a desire to reduce their carbon footprint, or concern about energy security. Until recently, it certainly wasn't to make money. However, two things have changed. The int…
Can Greg Barker, and his Green Deal, make insulation sexy?
Posted by Cathy Debenham on 14 July 2010 at 10:56 am
Energy efficiency has been the poor relation of British energy policy, according to Greg Barker, minister for climate change in the coalition government. Speaking in the debate on energy efficiency on 30 June, he outlined how he plans to raise its status. He will: 1. Introduce t…
The Green Deal: who would you prefer to deliver it?
Posted by Cathy Debenham on 14 July 2010 at 10:56 am
For mass take-up of energy saving measures we need effective financing schemes, so we welcome the glimpses of detail on the Green Deal that Greg Barker gave us at the end of June. However, it’s not enough to get a clear view of how the scheme will work. How will it be delivered? Barker said…
Greg Barker launches microgeneration consultation
Posted by Cathy Debenham on 13 July 2010 at 1:01 pm
The government launched the first stage of its strategy to help communities become more self sufficient in how they use heat and power yesterday. “I want to see more homes, communities and businesses generating their own energy. We can literally bring power back to the people," said Greg Ba…
Early adopters and the feed-in tariff: an update
Posted by Cathy Debenham on 12 July 2010 at 10:05 am
The Conservative party promised, prior to the election, that early adopters of microgeneration will get the feed-in tariffs. Since the election the silence on the subject has been deafening. Until now. An early adopter has just sent me this letter from DECC: "As set out in the Coalition Progr…
Can I get the feed-in tariff and a grant?
Posted by Cathy Debenham on 7 July 2010 at 12:15 pm
Community groups and schools that received Low Carbon Building Programme (LCBP) phase 2 grants have been told that if they want to receive the feed-in tariff they will have to pay the grant back. As many of them went ahead and installed in the belief that they would be entitled to the feed-in …
Scottish home renewables grants expected to close in 3 weeks
Posted by Cathy Debenham on 5 July 2010 at 10:01 am
Scottish householders are being urged to snap up grants for home renewables before the cash runs out. Grants are still available for 30% of the cost, up to a maximum of £4,000 for heating technologies like wood pellet boilers, heat pumps or solar water heating. (The LCBP grants in England is alread…
Ashden Award winner an inspiration for community energy schemes
Posted by Cathy Debenham on 2 July 2010 at 12:12 pm
Energy use on the Isle of Eigg is half the national average and carbon emissions have fallen by 47% since the islanders switched to renewable energy. The islanders' pioneering approach has won them the 2010 UK Ashden Award, and you can watch the video case study here. Until Febuary 2008 each …
Eco-renovation transforms Devon village hall
Posted by Cathy Debenham on 30 June 2010 at 9:02 am
With thick insulation, ground source heat pumps feeding underfloor heating, and solar panels on the roof to power the heat pump, Branscombe village hall in East Devon must be one of the most energy efficient in the country. However, managing an ambitious project like this wasn't an easy task. It …
DIY solar panel installation: a case study
Posted by Cathy Debenham on 25 June 2010 at 3:22 pm
Thank you to fuelexplorer for this article: I did my own solar thermal panel installation, on the slate roof of an old Victorian house, with not the most accessible roof in the world! Am I pleased with the result? Yes. Could I have designed the system better? Yes. I did quite …
Energy efficiency is focus of the Coalition's Green Deal
Posted by Cathy Debenham on 25 June 2010 at 9:09 am
Domestic insulation is top of Chris Huhne's plans for A Green Deal for housing he said yesterday at the Economist UK Energy Summit. He also touched on the (much awaited) renewable heat incentive as he revealed measures in the pipeline from the self-acclaimed "greenest government ever". To summarise…
England's World Cup match powered by wind farm
Posted by Cathy Debenham on 23 June 2010 at 9:20 am
Electricity from South Africa's first commercial wind turbine will be given to the Nelson Mandela Bay football stadium (where England play Slovenia tonight) for the World Cup. Electrawinds, a Belgian company, has installed the first of an expected 24 Vestas V90, 1.8MW wind turbines in Port Elizab…
Ecotricity offers the best tariff for pioneer microgenerators
Posted by Cathy Debenham on 16 June 2010 at 9:25 am
The best generation rates for early adopters of solar electricity and micro electricity who installed their system before the 15 June 2009 cut offs for feed-in tariffs are available from Ecotricity. The green electricity provider has introduced a new Microtricity scheme that pays 16p a unit…
Ask your MP for clarity about the Renewable Heat Incentive
Posted by Cathy Debenham on 14 June 2010 at 9:44 am
No one can confidently say that renewable heat is a good investment right now, as we don't know whether or not the promised renewable heat incentive will be introduced in April 2011 as laid out by the former Labour government. Making a significant investment when you can't confidently calculate the …
Tell Dave and Nick what you think of their energy plans
Posted by Cathy Debenham on 8 June 2010 at 9:22 am
The government is asking for our views on its programme for government. We've had a look at its proposed measures for energy and climate change, and our response is below. You can comment too - but get your skates on, they want to hear from us by Thursday 10 June. Our first thought is of motherho…
10 tips for choosing a good solar PV installer
Posted by Cathy Debenham on 2 June 2010 at 2:43 pm
Choosing an installer is always a tricky business, so I asked Stuart Houghton, of Abacus Renewable Energy, who installed our photovoltaic solar panels, what his top tips are. Watch the video, or read on, to find out: 1. Find out ho…
Uncertainty ahead as Low Carbon Building Programme is cut
Posted by Cathy Debenham on 26 May 2010 at 12:31 pm
The Low Carbon Building Programme (LCBP) grants scheme closed to new applications on Monday. We're calling on the Government to act quickly to eliminate the state of uncertainty facing consumers and the renewable heat industry as a result. The cut came as part of the Department of Energ…
Coalition plans for renewable energy and energy efficiency
Posted by Cathy Debenham on 21 May 2010 at 4:20 pm
So now we know what the department of Energy and Climate Change's priorities are. It believes that "climate change is one of the gravest threats we face, and that urgent action at home and abroad is required. We need to use a wide range of levers to cut carbon emissions, decarbonise the economy and …
Why on earth would an energy company want me to use less energy?
Posted by Cathy Debenham on 19 May 2010 at 2:03 pm
It's so counter intuitive, I struggle to get my head round it. Why would an energy company want me to use less energy? And, stemming from that, why would the Government use energy companies – whose main interest is surely to sell more energy – to deliver their main energy efficiency measures?&nb…
Solar PV installations are held up by a shortage of inverters
Posted by Cathy Debenham on 17 May 2010 at 9:18 am
Delays of up to 17 weeks on delivery of inverters is causing problems for solar panel installers. With demand up because of the feed-in tariff, installers cannot finish jobs on time, as they wait for inverters. 'The inverter situation is pretty drastic,' said Chris Aloise, managing director of Eu…
Coaliton seek to increase renewable energy target
Posted by Cathy Debenham on 12 May 2010 at 3:53 pm
Below is the agreement reached between the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats on the environment. It is one of 11 issues that needed to be resolved between the parties in order for them to work together. They will be followed in due course by a final coalition agreement, covering the full r…
Avoiding the solar cowboys
Posted by Cathy Debenham on 28 April 2010 at 10:01 am
Only one of 14 solar thermal salespeople proved worthy of recommendation in Which?'s recent investigation into solar panel companies. This is devastating news both for the industry and, more importantly, for people wanting to switch to solar hot water systems. Ten of the companies misled research…
Renewable Heat Incentive consultation: YouGen's response
Posted by Cathy Debenham on 26 April 2010 at 10:29 am
The Renewable Heat Incentive consultation closes today. Here is YouGen's response. If you want to respond yourself, you can email DECC's renewable financial incentives team. Key Issues We strongly ask you to reconsider your policy of excluding those who had systems installed prior to July …
Some questions for prospective parliamentary candidates
Posted by Cathy Debenham on 12 April 2010 at 9:22 am
I know it's unlikely, but if you're short of questions to ask the people seeking your vote on 6 May, here are a few ideas from the combined forces of of the renewable energy industry's trade associations. They published Zero Carbon Switch: Joint Manifesto for Renewables last week, to coincide with t…
How to buy renewable electricity
Posted by Cathy Debenham on 8 April 2010 at 10:18 am
Until recently the electricity market was flooded with 'green' tariffs, usually for a premium price, with no clear indication of what made them 'green'. Were they just packaging up the renewable energy that they are obliged to produce under the government’s Renewables Obligation and selling…
Renewable Heat Incentive: join the campaign for equal treatment for existing generators
Posted by Cathy Debenham on 29 March 2010 at 10:19 am
More and more people are calling for the renewable heat incentive (also known as the Clean Energy Cashback) to treat existing microgenerators equally. At RegenSW's consultation conference in Bristol earlier this month property developers and installers were flagging it up as important for the scheme…
Conservative energy policy is a damp squib for renewables
Posted by Cathy Debenham on 24 March 2010 at 9:30 am
Twelve actions "to put our energy system back on its feet" are at the heart of the long awaited Conservative energy policy which was finally launched last Friday. Of them, three relate directly to domestic renewable energy and energy efficiency, but it's difficult to see that they add much new to th…
Renewable Heat Incentive: A homeowners guide
Posted by Cathy Debenham on 22 March 2010 at 2:09 pm
Heat is the biggest use of energy in the UK. Just under half of the UK's CO2 emissions and 60% of domestic energy bills are used on heating space and water. Heat in the UK is currently supplied predominantly by fossil fuels - less than 1% comes from renewable sources. The proposed renewable heat inc…
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