Background:

Solar PV feed-in-tariffs were introduced in April 2010 as an incentive for individuals and businesses to generate their own electricity. There are three levels to the feed-in-tariff scheme – Generation tariff, export tariff and electricity savings. The tariff in question here is the generation tariff.

With the generation tariff, a payment is made for every kilowatt hour (kWh) of electricity your solar PV system generates. It does not matter whether you use this or not, it is based purely on what your panels produce. In April 2010 this was set at 43.3p for every kWh produced for systems up to 4kWp. Reductions in the feed-in-tariff were always expected, with a small drop expected from 1^st April 2012.

Government Changes

On October 31^st 2011, the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) released details of a proposed change in the feed-in-tariff which would reduce the 43.3p down to 21p. In addition to this, they proposed an earlier cut-off date of 12^th December 2011 – giving the industry just 6 weeks to prepare for such a dramatic change. The consultation period for this proposal was due to end on 23^rd December 2011 – 11 days after the proposed new cut-off date.

Two solar companies, along with Friends of the Earth, took DECC to court accusing their actions of being illegal. The court ruled that the action of imposing an earlier date whilst the consultation period was still in progress, was in fact unlawful. DECC appealed and on the 25^th January it was announced that their appeal had not been granted.

The news that the 43.3p rate had been reinstated travelled quickly throughout the industry, with news sites and Solar PV installers reporting that the higher tariff would now apply. Planet Solar were also led to believe this and reported these facts to customers. We also highlighted the fact that although the government had lost their right to appeal by the Appeal Court, they could still go direct to the Supreme Court and appeal – which is exactly what they have done.

This basically means that DECC have started the process of appeal and the feed-in-tariff rate remains at 21p throughout this process. They have 28 days to launch the appeal and the overall process can take up to a year before it is heard in the Supreme Court (if they are granted an appeal). The decision as to whether or not the Supreme Court can hear the appeal may take up to 6 weeks too.

So, to cut a long story short – at present the rate still stands at 21p.

So what does this mean for customers?

We would encourage consumers to proceed with your Solar PV installation as soon as possible to get your systems installed and commissioned before the 3^rd March 2012. Decisions should be based on a 21p feed-in-tariff rate until an official announcement is made.  A tariff of 21p still offers a fantastic return on investment, and should the rate of 43.3p per kWh be confirmed, your first payment would be backdated at that rate to the installation date if you install prior to 3^rd March 2012.

At Planet Solar we currently have 50 slots available in our installation schedule before the March deadline.
We would suggest you contact us as soon as possible to arrange a survey and confirm your order to ensure you do not miss out.

Keep checking our news pages for further updates – you can also check our feed-in-tariff news section for any other details relating to the payment scheme.

This means that potentially all installs since December 12th and all systems installed and commissioned before 3rd March 2012 will now receive the higher rate of 43.3p – guaranteed for 25 years!
Customers who register on or after March 3 will qualify for the current higher rate until April 1, when the rates will drop to the lower rates, as set out in the October 31 announcement.

Commenting on the decision, Daniel Green, CEO of HomeSun, said: “Four judges, including three in the Court of Appeal, have now called the Government’s actions illegal. That’s a four-nil victory and a decisive ruling that Government may not make retrospective changes to the FiT because, as Lord Justice Moses concludes, to do so ‘would be to take away an existing entitlement without statutory authority.’”

“Both this appeal and the Judicial Review in The High Court would not have been required had DECC simply followed its own process and allowed the industry, that it claims to support, time to prepare for a lower feed-in tariff,” continued Green.

Tweeting post judgement, Greg Barker, Minister of State for Energy and Climate Change, said, “Win, lose or draw today, important we move forward together, drive down costs + step up deployment.”

Clare King, a renewable energy lawyer at Osborne Clarke, said: “This decision will be a surprise to many observers. We, like many others, will be studying the judgment closely so as to fully understand the implications for the UK solar industry.”

Appeal court have denied appeal to Supreme Court. however the government can still appeal directly to the Supreme Court.

Keep checking Planet Solar blog pages and our Twitter feed for up to date details.

Some information source from Solar Power Portal

Feed-In-Tariff

Anybody who installs solar panels on the roof on their home will be rewarded courtesy of the Feed-In-Tariff. The Feed-In-Tariff was introduced by the government to encourage more people to embrace renewable energy and gives you a payment for all the electricity you produce.

Save on energy bills

The cost of traditional energy has risen incredibly over the past few years and will continue to do so in the future as fossil fuels become more and more sparse. Photovoltaic systems will enable you to use conventional energy less often as they will provide you with the majority of energy you need throughout the day.

Added value

Because of the rapid growth of solar PV many home buyers are expecting to see green measures already in place before considering making an offer. The addition of solar technology to your home could help improve its overall value and increase your chances of a sale if you ever decide to put your property up for sale.

Great performance

There is a widely held myth that solar power can only function successfully in fine weather on clear sunny days. Wrong! All solar panels fitted by Planet Solar can provide you with electricity and hot water even in overcast conditions.

Convinced enough to give solar technology a try or want to know more? Contact our specialist consultants on 0800 533 5130 now.

Planet Solar recommends that you consider solar power systems as an alternative source of energy as they can provide your home with the electricity it needs at a far more affordable rate. Luckily enough Planet Solar are one of the country’s leading solar panel installers, so you can be confident you are in safe hands.

Solar panels have been in existence for many years, but only in recent times have they become a practical option for domestic properties. This is because thanks to cash-back schemes such as the government’s Feed-In-Tariff homeowners are now able to earn money for the green energy their panels generate.

Despite the recent cut in the Feed-In-Tariff (FIT), homeowners can still expect to save a decent amount of money on their electricity bills and returns of up to 12% may still be achievable on the proposed new FIT rate.

By purchasing a set of solar panels from Planet Solar you will also be doing your bit to ensure that we reach the government’s ambitious target of producing 20% of all energy from renewable, or ‘green’, sources by 2020.

To find out more about solar technology and what it could do for your home give us a call today.

As more traditional energy sources are more expensive, a lot of people are realising that choosing solar panel systems for their home is a worthwhile investment. Solar panels are so effective at harvesting energy from the sun that they sometimes produce more energy than you actually need. Don’t worry though, this wont go to waste! Under the feed-in-tariff scheme you get paid for every kilowatt hour you generate, whether you use it or not. This payment is guaranteed for 25 years.

There are a number of solar panel installers throughout England who can supply and install your solar panels for you. Prices vary so it is always good to shop around to make sure that you get the best deal. Before signing any contracts make sure any extras have been included in the final price and ask any questions that you have beforehand to make sure that there aren’t any complications  further down the line.

Solar panels are incredibly easy and quick to install so you will be reaping the benefits from your new purchase before you know it. On average solar panels last for about 50 years so once installed you stand to save a lot of money on your electricity bills compared to what it would cost you if you stuck with traditional energy sources.

All things considered, now really is the right time for you to give renewable energy a go!

The Solar PV world was hit today with the news that the current feed-in-tariff rates are going to be reduced. For domestic installations up to 4kWp, the current rate of 43.3p will reduce to 21p.

Whilst the cuts were expected, previous figures issued did not suggest the drop would be as much. What was also unexpected is the cut-off dates for installations being brought forward to 12th Dec 2011.

At Planet Solar we are keen to help our customers understand the changes to the tariff and how this will affect them. Below are some answers to common questions:

1. What have the tariffs been cut to?

A. The generation tariff figure has been reduced for domestic properties installing systems of 4kWp or smaller from 43.3p for every kilowatt hour generated to 21p. The export tariff of 3p remains the same.

2. What is the new date for installation completion?

A. All PV systems must be installed and commissioned by 12th Dec 2011 to receive the current tariff of 43.3p.

3. What does it mean by installed and commissioned?

Basically, your system needs to be installed and fully working, and a fully accredited by the MCS. Planet Solar will ensure you are issued with your MCS certificate. In addition to this, you will also need to have completed your forms to your energy supplier (see q4).

4. What about confirming the feed-in-tariff with my energy supplier?

You will need to complete a form and ensure this has been received by your electricity supplier by 12th Dec. At Planet Solar we are currently looking to install all our existing orders by 3rd Dec 2011, allowing our customers time to send off their forms to their suppliers. We strongly advise these are sent by recorded delivery.

5. My installation date with Planet Solar is scheduled for after 12th Dec 2011 – does this mean I will lose out?

No. We are currently working closely with our installations teams to bring all our existing installations forward so they fall within the deadline. All customers will be informed as soon as possible of their new installation date.

6. My installation is booked for November – will I still be ok and can I bring the date forward?

If your installation date falls before the deadline then as long as you send off your relevant forms before the deadline you will still be eligible for the current rate of 43.3p. Our installations team are looking at all scheduled jobs and we will inform you as soon as possible if your installation date can be moved forward.

7. I have not yet placed my order with Planet Solar – is there still time?

Unfortunately we can no longer guarantee installations can be completed before the cut off date. You can still place an order and we will do our best to install before the deadline. Contact us for further information.

8. My installation is already completed and commissioned and my arrangement with my electicity supplier is set-up. Will the new rates affect me?

No. For any customer who already has a PV system installed and commissioned, the current feed-in-tariff you receive of 43.3p is guaranteed for 25 years.

9. Do the changes affect installations over 4kWp?

Yes. Apart from excecptionally large-scale installations, all tariffs have been reduced and the new cut-off date applies to any size of installation. Click here to see full details of rates.

10. Why have the government done this so drastically?

The government has a budget for all renewable energy and if the current feed-in-tariff for Solar PV continued, the government claims the entire budget would be eaten up. You can read full details of the statement here.

11. Did Planet Solar know this was happening?

We were aware the feed-in-tariff would change from April 2012 onwards, however until recent weeks of media speculation we did not realise the rate it would drop to. The bringing forward of deadlines was not known until recent announcements.

If your question has not been answered, you can call us on 0800 533 5130 or send your question via our contact form.

The feed-in-tariff comes under regular review by the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) and is set to change from 1^st April 2012. No official announcements have been made yet by DECC however more updates are expected later this year.

Rumours on the actual drop have ranged from 39.6p down to an unexpected 9p, which would see a significant drop in the income generated from Solar PV systems. However, more recent reports have suggested the figure is likely to be more like 20p for systems up to 4kWp.

The speech earlier today by the Minister of State for Energy and Climate Change, Greg Barker, confirmed that the cuts for Solar PV feed-in-tariffs would happen from April 2012, in a bid to spread the government budgets more evenly across all renewable energy sectors.

As part of Energi Installations, Planet Solar have been operating for over 6 years and one of our strengths is our buying power, which is mainly due to our experience in the industry and our ability to build strong business relationships. As such, we are looking to source the best prices for our products from April 20112 onwards, which we can then pass on to our customers. We will still guarantee the same level quality and value, to ensure all our customers can still receive a good return on their investment once the feed-in-tariff changes.

Any customers who have any queries on the feed-in-tariff can visit our financial benefits pages. Our Planet Solar blog and Energi News pages will also feature regular updates on the feed-in-tariff review as soon as it is available.

For further details of the Greg Barker speech click here.

There is set to be a review of the current feed-in-tariff and the payments will change from April 2012, however as of yet it is not confirmed what this payment will change to. The figure is likely to be reduced, which is why anybody wishing to take advantage of the higher feed-in-tariff should act now.

The current payments are guaranteed for 25 years, so as long as your system is installed and commissioned by end of March 2012 your payments will be ensured at the present rates.

At Planet Solar we are currently working on a 6-8 week lead time, which is great for us as a business, however to ensure systems are commissioned before the end of March 2012 it is important customers place their orders as soon as possible.

For full details on the current feed-in-tariff and to arrange a free site survey, contact Planet Solar today for further information.

Recent REAL Assurance figures released by Renewable Energy Association (REA) suggested that the Solar PV industry is helping the UK employment market grow. It is estimated that around 25,000 jobs have been generated purely because of the introduction of the government feed-in-tariff. What is even more positive is that it is thought this figure is hugely underestimated, as only small-scale Solar PV installations are dealt with by the REAL group, therefore larger scale installations have not been accounted for.

4,000 companies in the UK Solar PV industry alone are members of the REAL Assurance Scheme and the number keeps on growing, with around one hundred new members joining each month. If the industry continues to grow at this current rate the number of solar jobs within the UK could exceed 7,000 by the year 2012.

Labour has been one of the main areas of the solar industry which has created employment opportunities. Solar panel installers and electricians are just some of the roles which have been in higher demand over the past year.

As a leading company in the UK Solar PV industry, Planet Solar are always on the lookout for enthusiastic people to join our team. Visit our careers pages for details of current vacancies and details of how to apply.

Renewable energy sources such as PV are becoming an increasingly popular choice for UK households, in particular due to rising electricity costs. Solar PV modules allow you to generate your own free electricity during the day, meaning the amount that you need to purchase from your electricity supplier is reduced, along with your bills.

In addition to this, the current government feed-in-tariff provides a payment for every kilowatt hour of electricity generated by your Solar PV system, along with an export tariff for electricity which is sent back to the grid. This combined with the savings made along with the reduction in your carbon footprint make Solar PV an extremely beneficial source of renewable energy.

For full details on the feed-in-tariff and how a Planet Solar PV system can benefit your home, contact us today for further information.