Dont try and cheat the MCS system!

Couple of things have popped up today..

1) Yesterday an 'update' email was sent out by Gemserve, with the following paragraph:
Registering jobs prior to commissioning: Please be aware that if a job is not fully installed and commissioned, it is a breach of MCS Standards to create a certificate, and any installation company doing so could lose their certification. Additionally, a customer using such a certificate to apply for FITS could be convicted of fraud.

2) Today we hear that one of the associated Government agencies have realised, through Gemserve, that there have been some PV installation companies uploading far more jobs than they normally would, indicating they are stocking up a bank of work after the cutoff date. Apparently there are going to be site visits, checks and court action to enforce the above paragraph in (1)..

Luckily, we are completing our last job tomorrow already knowing that bucking the system is just too risky for any company and our customers. This proves that fact.. Look out you naughty people!

Possible further delay to the RHI.. ?

An exerpt from an email release by the REA today...

Following the delay to phase 1, DECC are re-evaluating the timing for phase 2. The previous position was that there would be a consultation by the end of 2011, with implementation October 2012 alongside the Green Deal. We do not now expect a consultation before Christmas. Our view is that, if that doesn’t rule out October 2012 implementation, it certainly makes it less likely. It should be noted that DECC pre-notified the European Commission of their outline plans for the RHI in December 2010 and did not get a final response until September 2011.

DECC plan to make an announcement on their timeline early in the New Year. They are determined that this should be deliverable and credible. They also intend to publish details of various milestones along the way, so it will be easier to monitor progress.

.... So lets hope there are no more stumbling blocks along the way!

Walled Garden PV system

The big switch on of a 20kWp ground mount system installed in a walled garden today. Now, there will be much harvesting of the sun to supply the house with clean and green electricity.

This system has taken some time to assemble as has been installed at the same time as ongoing building works. Though the timing ha

s been perfect to allow the owner to sign up onto the UK Feed in Tariff before the 12th December reduction date.

Our guys have been working long days and weekends to get everyones systems installed before 12/12 FiT changeover day. Its going to be tight, but looking good!

RHI announced!

At last, we can start making applications for the RHI from Monday 28th November!
For all the details from DECC, see THIS LINK

Its the Phase 1 commercial and large system version, to be followed early next year by the Phase 2 Domestic version.

After the fun & games over prematurely slashing the Feed in Tariff, possibly DECC are trying a little harder to keep the Renewables industry going?

The Green Deal is announced

In a strange change of direction after reducing the Solar PV Feed in Tariff a few weeks back, DECC have today announced details of the Green Deal, see press announcement here

This new incentive will enable people to to install all sorts of energy saving measures to their house at no up front cost. These hopefully will include solar PV, solar thermal and heat pumps which we can supply for you! Though these technologies may only get included in the RHI, (see below).

The Green Deal is currently going through a consultation till January, so you have an opportunity to have some input. Download the full document here. It looks like a scheme for more long term debt?

We are now eagerly awaiting the details of the long awaited RHI re-write, possibly going to be announced in the next few days. This is what people have been waiting all year for, as we will know definitely what our new Solar Thermal, Heat Pump and Biomass systems will earn, which in turn will enable to you decide the viability of having one of these technologies installed. We'll keep you informed.

Progress at the RNLI Poole.

The guys have completed mounting all the 180 modules onto the roof today. All in 3 days!

We had a hold up with brackets when they got delivered to completely the wrong place, but all overcome.

Just a big sub main cable to install tomorrow, and await Saturday for the final connection .

Time is ticking away!

Yup!.. The 'leaked document' from last Friday, although claimed to be incorrect, was not really so far from the truth!

Though the FiT rate will be dropping from 43.3p to 21p a generated unit, the rate of return will still be good for southerly facing PV systems. Plus after 12th December installed PV costs will be dropping again.

It looks like the payback time on a typical 2kWp system will be around 11 years for a South facing system after the new installed costs come out in the next few weeks.

As the return will still be far better than the Banks can offer (around 6.5%), Solar PV still offers one of the best investments around.