What is the Feed in tariff?
On the 1st April, UK householders and businesses generating their own electricity from renewable sources will be eligible for payment under the Government's new feed in tariff. The scheme will include solar photovoltaic panels (PV), micro CHP, and wind turbines.
Feed in tariffs have been around in several mainland European countries such as Germany for many years now.
The scheme pays not just on electricity fed back to the national grid, but on all electricity generated from renewable sources. Any electricity exported back to the grid will accrue a second payment to the householder!
Existing Installations
The scheme is being administered by Ofgem, and anyone wishing to take part in the scheme who has already had these technologies installed need to contact Ofgem to register by March 31st 2010 The equipment must have been installed by an MCS approved installer, no earlier than 15th July 2009 to qualify.
New Installations
All new installations must be carried out by an MCS accredited installer to qualify. In addition, MCS - accredited equipment must be installed. For more information on MCS approved installers and products, visit the Microgeneration Certification Scheme website here
Additionally, click on the form on the right to receive 3 independant quotes from local installers before you even speak to someone to find out if it's right for you...!
How much can I earn?
The Feed in tariff pays various fees according to the technology being installed.
Example
INow, let's say you install a 2kW PV installation on your roof. It's reasonably safe to assume that you will use about half, and export half back to the grid. (While you're at work, your PV will keep your fridges, alarm clocks etc running, whilst you're at home, you'll be making more use of it)
So, for generating 2,000 kw/h of electricity the FIT will pay you 2,000 x current FIT rate. A further 1,000 x th export rate will be generated for the 1,000 kw/h you export back to the grid. And the best bit is, this payment is completely tax free, and guaranteed for 25 years!!!
Not only that, but your electricity bill will have
reduced by the 1,000kW/h you produced yourself (1,000 x approx 14p) saving you a
further £140!!
One man, who has taken the plunge into PV has been monitoring his
investment closely, and will continue to do so for the coming years.
Chart his progress at
www.uksolarcasestudy.co.uk
What next?
Once you've had the technology installed, you will need to contact your electricity provider who will register you for the scheme. They will do the rest. There may be a charge from the energy supplier to have an additional meter installed. All major electricity providers have details about the feed in tariff on their websites. Further information can be obtained from the energy savings trust.
We certainly think that the Feed in tariff will help boost sales of PV solar over the coming months and years. Click on the right to get a quote now!
Click here to learn more about PV solar panels
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Click here to read about RHI - The Renewable Heat Incentive
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