UK News
DECC confirms 21p/kWh rate after April 2012
DECC announced yesterday that it will be laying before Parliament some draft licence modifications which, subject to the Parliamentary process set out in the Energy Act 2008, make provision for a the new rates to go through from April 1, 2012 with an eligibility date on or after 3 March. The move by DECC was welcome by the industry as it assure that 21p/kWh rate will be maintained after the 1st of April 2012. The short term consequences of the Appeal Court are presented below:
If DECC loses the appeal, the old tariff will be paid to installations with an eligibility date between the 12th of December 2011 and the 3rd of March 2012 for the 25 year of the installation. While installation installed on the 3 March 2012 and after will be entitled to the reduced tariff 21p from 1st April 2011
If DECC wins the appeal, they reserve the right to enforce the 12th of December 2011 reference date as stated in the Consultation. DECC will announce the outcome of the consultation by 9th February 2012. This announcement will be accompanied by a proposal for a second FiT review consultation.
To see DECC statement and STA comments please click here
Banding consultations
The REA’s responses to the Renewables Obligation (RO) and Renewables Obligation Scotland (ROS) consultations are available from the REA website. In response to the solar proposals, the Arup data is questioned and it calls for DECC to have greater ambitions on volume given the direct relationship with cost. The Northern Ireland consultation, which is proposing 5ROCs for Solar PV up to 10kW, was scheduled to close on Thursday 19th January, however DETI have only just release a study entitled ‘Electricity Market Reform – Analysis of Policy Options’. They have extended the consultation to Friday 27th January 2012. The REA will review the study and circulate their draft response shortly.
The House of Commons Library published a report on “The Green Deal”
The document is intended to Members of Parliament to support their parliamentary duties. However, we think the text provide a clear and comprehensive guide to STA members. The guide can be accessed here
Solar Heating White Paper – Call for Case Studies
STA Solar Thermal Working Group is preparing a new report that outlines the potential for solar thermal energy in the UK. It is aimed at policy makers and commentators with the goal of influencing policy in a positive direction for solar heating.
We are looking for case studies to include in the report to underline the massive untapped potential for solar heating. In particular we are interested in any solar installations providing heat to: Industrial processes, district heating systems, communal heating systems and both space heating and hot water (so called “combi” systems)
In addition to helping raise the profile of the industry to the benefit of all, contributors will be promoting their company as the report will acknowledge sources.
Please contact emarro@solar-trade.org.uk with a short email describing your project. Don’t worry if the project is not currently written up as a Case Study – if it covers the right area we can do this after a short telephone interview.
World News
Germany installed 3 GW of solar PV in December, nearly double than the total installed in USA in 2011
Oman to built 400MW solar farm
100 MW Solar PV plant completed in Ukraine
Statistics
Please click here for this week’s FITs and Solar Thermal installation Statistics.
The latest Construction Products Association analysis of market trends in the construction sector can be found here
Other sectors
If you are interested in learning the latest news from the construction industry, please click here for this week’s Construction Products Association weekly news update.
Opportunities
Call to STA manufacturers for international exhibition
The Association has been offered the possibility to take a delegation of British manufacturers to the Solarpeq exhibition. The biennial event takes place Dusseldorf from 23rd to the 26th of October 2012 and it is open to the manufacturers of solar production technology. If you are interested or would like to find out more please email emarro@solar-trade.org.uk
7th British Renewable Energy Awards open for nominations!
On Thursday, 21st June 2012, the REA will host the 7th British Renewable Energy Awards at Jumeirah Carlton, London SW1. Nominations are open now so if you know someone who’s done amazing things for renewables in the past year, submit an entry now! For detailed information on award categories and entries click here.
DECC announces £10 million additional funding for community renewables
The Local Energy Assessment Fund (LEAF) was announced by Chris Huhne last Wednesday 7th December. It is part of a £30 million package destined to help local communities go green, with the other £20 million being committed to energy efficiency in public sector buildings such as schools and hospitals. The LEAF funding will be made available through a competition administered by the Energy Savings Trust, with DECC envisaging approximately 200 successful bids averaging around £50,000 each. View the full DECC press release here.
International call for energy innovators 2011
Recently launched this scheme helps suitable technology providers to enter the UK power market by offering a range of support services including access to funding for product development, opportunities to test innovations on high and low voltage UK power networks and establish relationships with potential customers. To find out more about the Energy Innovation Centre’s ‘International Call for Energy Innovators 2011’ initiative click here.
BIS launch prize fund for community buying.
The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has launched a “Buy Better Together Challenge” with a £60,000 prize reward. The completion will be open to any organisations within the public, voluntary or business sector from January 2012. The award will recognise new and different model of group buying that deliver real deals as well as social benefit to communities. For more information please click here
STA/REA Events
STA Solar Thermal and Solar PV Technical Working Group Meeting
Tuesday 31st January 2012, Wragge & Co Offices (3 Waterhouse Square. 142 Holborn. London. EC1N 2SW) Map here
The STA is looking for committed members to work on technical issues within its STA’s technical working groups. The agenda for the meeting will include a discussion on SAP 2012 consultation and the discussion response, and an update on MCS Solar thermal among other topics.
The solar thermal meeting will take place between 10.30am to 1 pm with the solar PV meeting following on in the afternoon from 2pm to 4pm. If you feel you have time to commit to work in either or both of these groups, please register your interest and availability to attend by emailing us at emarro@solar-trade.org.uk
STA Solar PV Working Group Meeting
Tuesday 31st January 2012. Wragge & Co Offices (3 Waterhouse Square. 142 Holborn. London. EC1N 2SW) Map here
This meeting will take place from 2 pm to 4 pm.
If you feel you have time to commit to work in either or both of these groups, please register your interest and availability to attend by emailing us at emarro@solar-trade.org.uk
STA/REA policy update meeting to members(Followed by FiT update)
14th of February 2012. Watson Farley Williams Offices Here
This meeting will take place from 10:00 to 12:30
This session will cover the Renewable Heat Incentive, with inclusion of single domestic installations (and other changes for phase 2) the main focus. A speaker from DECC will be there to present their emerging thinking and we will also be looking for views from our members on how we take this forward. We will finalise the agenda nearer the time, but we may also cover the green deal and the building regulations (if the consultation has been published).
This meeting will be followed by a FiT event. Please email Elena Marro to register for either or both events. This is a member’s only meeting.
FiT Update to members (Preceded by STA/REA policy update meeting)
14th of February 2012. Watson Farley Williams Offices Here
This meeting will take place from 13:30 to 15:30
This session will focus on the feed-in tariffs, including – but not limited to – solar pv. Likely angles include the latest on the legal challenges, the comprehensive review consultation and our latest views on costs/budgets.
We plan to not only provide an update but also to provide our view on the way the industry can develop. The Comprehensive FIT Consultation will also be issued on the 30th January and we will also provide our view on how this could impact on the future of all FIT technologies before
Attendance could help members develop their future business plans.
Please email Elena Marro to register for either or both. (This is a member’s only meeting)
REA RHI Seminar
1st February 2012, 09.00 – 12.30, Ernst & Young, 1 More Place, London, SE1 2AF
How is the RHI working in practice? What impact is it having on the sector? What do you need to know to make it work for you? The seminar will answer these questions and more. Ofgem’s manager for large-scale installations will take you through the scheme and how to get accredited, with ample time for questions. Speakers from industry will then go through the opportunities and challenges for the main technologies. For more details and online booking please click here.
REA RO Workshop
1st March 2012, 09.30 – 16.30, Addleshaw & Goddard, 60 Chiswell Street, London, EC1Y 4AG
Experts from the REA’s policy team will take you through all aspects of the RO in a series of detailed modules. For more details please email events@r-e-a.net.
Third Party Events
Solar Power UK Roadshow 2012- Coping with the Cuts
29th February- 14th March 2012. Across the country
The Solar Power UK Roashow is travelling up and down the country, giving installers the opportunity to learn how to cope with the cuts, the impending and possible EPC requirements, how the Green Deal will affect the PV installer and how the UK solar industry can remain sustainable in 2012. For more details on locations and registration please click here or for more details please email Chloe Theobald, Events Manager at ctheobald@solarmedia.co.uk
Envirolink Offers Practical Training on Grid Connection for Solar PV Projects
Various Dates September 2011 – January 2012, various locations in the UK
With the recent remarkable growth in renewable energy projects, obtaining grid connection has never been more important. As a result of this, Envirolink is running a series of practical training workshops on grid connection, focussing on connecting solar PV systems to the grid. These one day courses will take place in Leeds, Warrington, Penrith, Manchester and Lancaster. For full details and to register your place, click here.
Green Deal Connections
Various Dates October 2011 – February 2012, across the UK
With backing from the Employer Investment Fund, Asset Skills (in partnership with Summit Skills and Construction Skills) Asset Skills is running a series of free, half day events to raise awareness of the skills requirements for Green Deal. The events will be attended by Green Deal providers, assessors, advisors, installers, and related skills bodies and learning providers; making Green Deal Connections.
For more information on the Green Deal see the summary of the Government’s proposals and what measures the Green Deal covers.
Ecobuild 2012
20th – 22nd March 2012, ExCel Exhibition and Conference Centre, London
Since its launch in 2005, Ecobuild has almost doubled in size every year to become the biggest event in the world for sustainable design, construction and the built environment. Combining a huge product showcase – over 1,300 suppliers of sustainable and innovative construction products – with an information programme comprising
