EPC rating requirement brought in for Solar PV installations from 1st April 2012
From 1st April 2012, those looking to install Solar Photovoltaic systems on their property may be eligible for a lower feed-in-tariff payment if the property has an EPC rating of below level D. This move from the government has come after months of uncertainty within the industry, however with earlier rumours that the EPC rating level was to be set to C, this is good news for many property owners throughout the UK.
The official statement from DECC explains that the government “wants to ensure that solar PV is considered as part of a holistic approach to carbon reductions in buildings that prioritises energy efficiency.” The EPC rating level will apply to both domestic and commercial buildings for all new Solar PV installations on or after the 1st April 2012. Properties which do not meet an EPC of level D or above will be eligible for a lower tariff rate, currently proposed at 9p. For full details of the proposed new feed-in-tariff scheme click here.
Whilst this may be of concern to some, according to government statistics there is an estimated 51% of UK domestic properties and 65% of non-domestic buildings which already have an EPC rating of D or above, meaning that even before any energy efficiency measures are taken, a large proportion of properties will already be eligible for the standard tariffs. An exemption to energy efficiency requirements may be available if it can be demonstrated that it is not possible for an EPC certificate to be obtained for that building or property.
It has not yet been made clear whether a new Solar PV installation can contribute to increasing the EPC level of a property, and also what other renewable energy methods can be used to raise the EPC level. One change will be that when customers fill out their feed-in-tariff applications, they will need to provide a valid EPC certificate.
A scheme for offering financial support may be available in the form of the Carbon Emissions Reductions Target (CERT). This will help with the cost of making properties more energy efficient and therefore raising the EPC rating. We are also waiting full details of the Green Deal scheme later in 2012, which will again help towards financing energy efficiency measures.
At Planet Solar all our energy consultants are fully trained energy assessors and can conduct EPC ratings on your property. For further details and to arrange a consultation, contact us online or call us on Freephone 0800 533 5130.
