Just a few days left.

March 3rd is almost here and we have been getting a whole bundle of people calling to see if a system can be squeezed in at the last minute.
Unfortunately, the answer has to be no as we have been fully booked through February since soon after Christmas. Its a shame this ridiculous situation has been thrust on everyone, but at least after March 3rd we will only have the April 1st Deadline to work up to!

For anyone who is not up to speed with the complicated series of events, this last chapter, before we settle down the new Government tariff, means that older houses with limited facility for insulation will effectively be excluded from generating their own power. From April 1st, all premises that have a renewable power system installed will need to have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) to prove the premises complies to Band D or better.
For around 50% of UK premises, they will comply without modification, but many will need further insulation or energy upgrading.

On the upside though, a further fall in PV module costs for us now means we are able to install a 3.68kWp PV system from only £7995 inc VAT .. Unheard of only 6 months ago!!. This will be good news for many  for whom solar PV will now make sense, even at the lower rate, as ROI is the same, if not better than it was before! Check out www.chrisrudge.co.uk/solar.htm 

OFGEM release new Feed in Tariff table

Seems like OFGEM have let the cat out the bag!
Checking their website for updates, we came across the new table for after April 1st 2012.
You can download it HERE
Additional note from us 25th Feb, we see the OFGEM chart has been changed from the version seen prompting this post. The text at the top of the document has been added.

Amongst other things, for under 4kW systems, it indicates the new rate will be 45.4p for original 43p system owners. Also indicates that systems installed before 3rd March 2012 will be on the higher rate (43p now then to 45.4p).

Of course this may be a little error. But more likely its the official annoucement dropping in under the radar.

DECC announce new rates

DECC have announced the new Feed in Tariff scheme rates today.
As expected, the rate starts at 21p a unit from 3rd March, and after 1st April, will continue at 21p, but in addition premises will need to have an EPC certificate for Band D or better.

After July 2012, the FiT rate will reduce to 16.8p or 13.6p depending on amount of PV installs during March and April. Then in October 2012, another 5% reduction. After this, every 6 months the FiT will be degressed by 10%. It has been estimated by DECC that PV components will reduce in cost by this rate, and the 10% reduction every 6 months will keep up! Along with the rest of the industry, we at Rudge Renewables really do not consider this to be the case!

You can see another window of opportunity has arisen to get a PV system installed and commisioned before 1st April, thus avoiding getting an energy survey, plus possible energy upgrades required.

For more information, the Ministers statement is HERE and The new FiT announcement is HERE

A small state of limbo for solar FiT's

It seems that before Chris Huhne stepped down from the post as Energy Secretary, the decision to actually appeal to the Supreme Court had not been taken.

We assume that the new incumbent to this position, Edward Davey, will probably fulfil this stalling tactic.. But maybe he will not? There are only effectively 3 weeks for DECC to keep stalling to active the objective of stopping  last minute 'gold rush', something the Solar PV industry as a whole is of the same mind over. A last minute rush will force DECC to drop the FiT's to a far lower level than 21p.. Disaster!

See the DECC release HERE where Edward Davey indicates his support for a growth in Green Industry jobs. Lets see....