UK Feed-In Tariff

[martin W]

Just found this thread... must have been asleep the last 2 weeks ...

anything in the paper about a solar thermal sort of tariff like the one offed by good energy?   Just about to read the link, so wondered if anyone knew anything, other wether it would be a justifiable comment on the FIT process to add Solar thermal....its probably the most accessable and cost effect renewable for the masses..

just a thought... now a big read

[Ted]

The RHI (Renewable Heat Incentive) is separate from FITs and is due to be implemented from April 2011 - one year on from FITs.

http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/what_we_do/uk_supply/energy_mix/renewable/policy/renewable_heat/incentive/incentive.aspx

http://www.gshp.org.uk/documents/AGM2009/Renewable%20Heat%20Incentive.pdf

[Richard Owen]

Bit of a disjoint in what I've read (please point me to the relevant bit if I've missed it.)

The .pdf talks about 12% of electricity consumption used for heat. Both sources refer to heat pumps as part of the low-carbon heating mix.

However, the web site points to tariffs on the fossil fuel suppliers as a way to pay for all this.

So why (and how) will British Gas (or whoever) pay me, who has no gas, for my solar panels and heat pump ?

[djh]

From the DECC page "Common examples of renewable heat technologies include: air- and ground-source heat pumps" 

Heat pumps produce heat from electricity, which in this country is largely generated from non-renewable sources (coal, gas, nuclear).

Even then there's a raging debate going on about whether they produce more heat in real life than using the fuels directly.

So why on earth would they be the first in the list?

"Modern efficient heat pumps filled with non-GWP refrigerants (i.e. not CFC, not HFC) and powered from off-grid renewable sources" might be a reasonable example to use. 

[Ted]

I haven't read any of the RHI stuff (other than skimming through that DECC presentation I linked to) so I'm guessing, but if it is planned to work the same as the FITs scheme then there will be a background process (called 'levelisation') that allows all the suppliers to move payments around to one another.

This would allow British Gas to charge their customers a premium on their fossil fuel use and then pass it to your supplier (Good Energy, say) who will pay you for your solar etc.

How someone who is totally off-grid and, therefore has no supplier, gets paid is an interesting question though.  Not sure how it works at present for ROCs.  I think Good Energy have a scheme just for that situation though.

[linesrg]

Good Morning All,

I'm new to this forum. I have a 1.28kW array consisting of 16off BP380 panels on a Lorentz ETATrack 1500 tracker connected to the grid via 2off Soladin 600 inverters.

It was self install job and I didn't have a great deal of problem getting it accepted by S&S, they didn't ask too many questions to be honest.

I have written to them regarding what will happen to my system come next April and I've been advised that my system will be rolled over automatically provided I have an OFGEM approved total generation meter. I have an Elster A100C but due to a slight lack of knowledge ended up installing it my side of the utility meter so it is only recording what I export not what I generate.

I assume I'll need to re-locate it immediately adjacent to the inverters and connect the inverters directly to it to get it to act as a total generation meter?

I'm looking at adding another 1.28kW and another tracker and feeding both lots of panels into a Sunny Boy 2500 I bought recently in time for 01/04/10.

In the last year we have only generated 1450kW so am assuming to make 2900kW by doubling the array. I'm assuming we'll net £1058.50 from FIT directly. In this same period we've exported some 329 units which will double to 658 giving us another £32.90. We will also save some £240 a year for what we generate and use on site so we should be up by some £1330pa currently.

Comments invited and aplogies for part of this post not bveing entirely relevant to the subject at hand.

Regards

Richard

[Ted]

Your total generation meter should be the next thing in the output circuit from the inverters.  Not sure if that model is on the approved list - check here: http://www.nmo.bis.gov.uk/content.aspx?SC_ID=290

Under the current proposals, which are subject to change before they are implemented next April, your existing ROC-registered system will go on to FITs  automatically, but your new 'extension' will not qualify for FITs unless it is MCS accredited.

[linesrg]

Ted,

I have been fortunate to date that my DIY installation has been approved/ sanctioned by S&S (after a visit by them). I am hoping that an extension to the existing system will go though 'on the nod'.

Their principal concern is that the system will do as G83 requires in that it will disconnect and stop exporting in the event of an incoming supply failure.

Although self-installed I have proper (Santon Switchgear) DC disconnect switches fitted, a dedicated fused spur, a lockable 2 pole isolation switch and all the appropriate (home made) notices as required. The Soladin's, as I'm sure you're aware, can just be unplugged. Thus the system is as 'G83' as required.

I don't suppose the government is going to move on systems being installed by accredited firms although it is unecessarily restrictive as it is hardly rocket science.

I am also looking to self install a heat pump and solar water panels in time for April 2011.


Regards

Richard

[northern installer]

Richard,your soladins need to be hard wired to comply with bs 7671,small point perhaps,you may think,but important if you are going to get approval;but sounds like a good system,care to post some pics?

[linesrg]

Northern Installer,

I've posted a picture of the tracker in the Show us Yours section under the heading Solar in Aberdeenshire.

I don't want to get my knuckles wrapped as a newbie for posting in the wrong places!

I'll hard wire the inverters when my new Elster A100C arrives as I put the first one in the wrong place and now S&S have sealed the fuse (first time in 9yrs of living here .............

Regards

Richard