Duty to be imposed on Chinese Solar PV modules in June 2013

Announced this week by the EU are measures for combatting alleged 'dumping' by Chinese Solar PV manufacturers of products at cost or below price to force European manufacturers into decline.

Certainly, as an installer, this false module pricing has enabled us to offer a 4kWp system for around £5k, using these good quality modules, which we urge people to take advantage of soon.

It is proposed a Duty of 10% or more will be levied on all Chinese Solar PV modules being imported into Europe, and this Duty may well be backdated to 6th March when enforced, which will cause financial hardship to importers later this year. Examples of probable Chinese manufacturers hit by this Duty will be Suntech, Canadian Solar, Yingli, Trina and many more.

In the USA, a similar Duty has been imposed for some time, which has reduced use of Chinese PV modules by as much as 80%.

We find that good quality European based modules, which we currently use for our high end premium systems for maximum annual power generation, cost not much more per watt, but adds up to being substantially higher installed cost. Though the long term power generation will is a far better benefit, which can be seen on the latest Photon independant test, which shows Euro manufacturers having a better annual generation, we are finding people are currently going for the lowest cost.

Resource: Reuters

Suntech presentation filmed at Ecobuild

Another few days at this years National Ecobuild trade show at the Excel, Docklands, London has proved again to give us some inspiration for new directions in Renewables.
Although the trade stand attendance was down by some 30%, the quality of the attendees was quite impressive, with many new products and innovations on display.

As well as all this I was presented with an iPad from Suntech in recognition of the amount of modules we have been ordering and installing during the normally quiet month of January. This was quite an achievement for us and I must compliment our guys for being out in all weathers to achieve the rapid installation turnaround for our customers, who are already reaping the benefits of saved power and FiT generation.

The presentation was filmed by Suntech Europe and anticipate it will pop up on the internet some time in the future.

We are working on some exciting new projects for the new Solar PV year, and exploring new avenues for Renewable heating in preperation for the Domestic RHI. More news on that as it occurs.

Solar Feed in Tariff rate confirmed into the Summer

This weeks OFGEM update of Feed in Tariff rates seems to be splitting the two basic industry PV installer disciplines wider apart.

While on one hand Domestic, Industrial and Agricultural aspect have remained unchanged and look like we will have a Summer ofcontinued fixed rate of FiT which allows us to talk to the customer with some confidence of rates they will be paid while they organise planning or finance. Huge stand alone field systems that have been proliferating across the country however will be hit.

At the end of March 2013, any system being installed under the ROC's scheme will see the rate cut from 2 ROC's per 1MW of generation to 1.5 ROC's.. To keep this trend going, dissuading investment companies making too much money from these large scale PV programs, after May 2013 any stand alone system under FiT over 100kWp will drop from 7.1p a unit to 6.85p.

The industry see this as a clear indication by the Government to put off investment in large scale stand alone PV systems, as in many quarters they are simply seen as being installed for cash generation rather than any thought of power offsetting, which will be the case on most building mounted systems. Also as many large scale stand alone systems are funded by offshore companies, the continued flow of UK funded cash out the country, there is probably a stand against this continuing.

Large schemes either building mounted or free standing that will connect into either a large domestic or commercial supply and will assist with lowering their carbon footprint are still being encouraged, as the Governments stance is still to keep PV to assist with exisitng supplies.

OFGEM confirm big energy price increases over next couple of years

Extensively publicised yesterday (20th Feb), the outgoing OFGEM chief Alistair Buchanan has warned that the UK's existing fleet of power stations are right at the start of a process for decommissioning dirty coal powered power stations.
Gas
The two viable alternatives Gas and Nuclear, (renewables have been conveniently ignored), have their own set of problems. Gas is no longer the plentiful and cheap fuel of a few years ago, and the UK is now forced to keep negotiating to purchase Gas from other nations who still have a supply available for sale. The purchase cost of Gas will rise extremely rapidly over the next few years, meaning a knock on effect that electricity costs are going to rise rapidly.
Nuclear
Government Nuclear subsidies got pulled in 2010, but these are set to be put back in place again, as the original Nuclear operating companies, such as EDF, shelved plans for projects such as Hinckley Point after these subsidies were withdrawn. The Government have now taken a U turn and have re-instated those Nuclear subsidies in an attempt to get 'low carbon' generation kickstarted. Obviously building a Nuclear power station takes some 5 years or more, so that option is some time off.
Do it yourself!
As we will have noticed, Government tax breaks, subsidies and concessions have been continuing for Oil and Gas generation, though have been dramatically cut for Renewable technologies, however on a small scale you are possibly able to help yourself against these huge rises.
Essential will be insulating your house and business as much as possible. The easy one is more loft insulation, still being sold very inexpensively at DIY outlets. Even if you have loft insulation, putting more on top will make the house less likely to lose heat through the roof.
Solar PV systems have suddenly turned around almost overnight from being investors 'money making machines' to the saviour to avoid huge power bills. Currently, the Feed in Tariff is still going strong and with a domestic 4kWp PV system costing an all time low of around £5000, from Rudge Renewables if you have the space available, its a no brainer to use a Solar PV system in conjunction with energy saving measures to reduce your power bills right down to a fraction of what you are paying now.
The emerging Green Deal could help immensly to finance all sorts of energy saving solutions on the home if money is tight. However, with massive 7.5% interest and admin rates, if you can afford to pay for it yourself or obtain conventional lower interest finance, you will be able to be more flexible without having to endure Government backed assessors surveying your home. Either way, carrying out energy saving measures will save you a big chunk of money in the couple of years to come.
Resources
Independant Newspaper OFGEM report
Scottish Herald report
BBC News report
Energy Savings Trust for energy savings guidance

Richard is the Wilo competition winner!

Wilo, the famous German pump manufacturer in conjunction with giving away their promotional backpacks were last year running a competition to get a backpack photographed in the best location.
Our marketing guy, Richard Fuell took his backpack all the way to China for a holiday. His winning shot of the Wilo backpack on the Great Wall of China inspired the judges to offer him the main prize of a mountain bike.
As you can see, he's extremely excited about the win, and now plans to make use of the extensive cycle paths from our new offices into Exeter and avoid the traffic.

Thanks to Wilo for coming all the way down to hand over the prize bike to Richard. We promise to use more of your bore hole pumps for Off Grid projects this year!

We've moved .. well sort of!

At the end of December, we moved our main office premises to a super new location of The Old School, Clyst Honiton, EX5 2LZ.

This prestigious location and historic building is right in the middle of the new development action in Exeter, being a few minutes walk from the airport, 2 minutes from the M5, 30 seconds from the A30, not to mention the close proximity of the new Science Park, Sky Park and Cranbrook developments only minutes away.

While we are still settling in, there are still boxes to unpack, we are now fully running with better phone and network systems.

More updates in the coming weeks. In the meantime we are going full steam ahead with installing Biomass and Solar Thermal systems for the Totnes Transition Town energy project, providing people in fuel poverty less expensive heating.

Seaton Hospital press release

Part of the recent press release from N Devon NHS....

SEATON Community Hospital has taken a major step towards curbing its environmental impact – thanks to the League of Friends.

The hospital now has solar PV panels on its roof after the charity agreed to fund the full installation costs.

It is the first energy scheme ever financed by a League of Friends of any of the 18 hospitals managed by the Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust.

The array will significantly reduce the site’s electrical consumption and carbon footprint, while any incentive payments from the government will be split 50-50 between the Trust and the League.

Bob Lowe, deputy estates manager, has led the project for the Trust.

He said: “This is an innovative investment that has been totally instigated and driven by the League of Friends.

“This is the first time in all my years of involvement with support charities that such an offer has been made to the Trust.

“To invest in an area that benefits the hospital not only in reduced costs but the environmental impact of the site on the local community is extremely forward-thinking.

“They have seen the bigger picture and everyone is a winner as the installation is expected to generate between 50 and 200kW of energy daily, all of which will be used on the hospital site.”

Local company Rudge Renewables completed the installation by the end of July, ahead of a deadline that ensured the best tariff from the government.

The hospital’s clear southern aspect in Scalwell Lane made it a prime candidate for a solar PV array, and the 80 individual panels will produce 20kW of electrical energy.

It is anticipated that 17,700 kWh (units) of electrical power will be generated each year, while the site’s energy footprint will be cut by 2.5 tonnes of carbon.

There will also be financial benefits, with a projected £1,770 coming off the annual energy bill and repayments of £2,600 each year through the government feed-in tariff.

Mr Lowe said the cost of the scheme was expected to be recouped in seven to 10 years.

He said: “With little or no maintenance, the installation will just enhance the site’s goal of providing local healthcare services in an environmentally-friendly manner.”

Dr Joe Pitt, chairman of the League of Friends, said: “When we came up with the idea of funding solar power for the hospital we were delighted with the very positive response from the Trust.

“As a League we always want to help improve patient services at Seaton hospital and this sort of scheme should release funds currently spent on energy bills to instead go to direct patient care.

“We are also aware of our wider responsibility to help reduce the carbon footprint of the hospital.

“We feel it is a model of how the voluntary sector can help the NHS to deliver on those aims, and we hope this model can be copied elsewhere.”