Source of information: www.clickgreen.org.uk

The money to pay for the FIT scheme is being raised by taxing the major energy suppliers. Not surprisingly they raise the revenue by charging all their customers more for their electricity.

Now the energy suppliers and the government have got to together and decided to reduce the FITs early even though electricity prices could soar by up to 60% over the next five years according to Ofgems latest statistics.

So they increase prices to balance out the FITs but now reduce the Fits and still increase the prices.

How is that fair?

At Solar Power Intl we have come up with a solution so you can still gain a high interest return.

We can supply an installed and commissioned 4 kWp solar PV system for £9,995 inc VAT giving you a return of 9.42% if you are a low user and 10.03% if you a high user.

Example based on a 50% onsite consumption.

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the installation will provide Berryfield Farm near Coventry 67% of energy demand.

If your bank was to offer you a £1000 every year for the next 25 years in return for an investment of £12,500 you would say yes in a heartbeat. This is the deal on offer if Solar Power Intl. were to install a solar PV system on your property before the 1st April 2012. Not only is this income tax free and index linked, it can also protect you from future energy price hikes and shortages.

The government backed feed-in tariff scheme for renewable energy producers has transformed the world of solar power from something that was once just an environmental opportunity to an economical one as well.

So how does it work? The scheme is financed by us (the UK electricity consumer) paying a small levy on our conventional electricity bills. The tariffs are available to anyone who has a system installed and commissioned by an MCS accredited company such as Solar Power Intl. The feed-in tariff scheme can then be made available through licensed electricity suppliers based across the UK.

It broadly works like this. Solar Power Intl. installs a set of photovoltaic (PV) solar panels on your roof at a typical cost of £12,500. Subsequently as a solar power generator you will receive a generation tariff of 41.3p for every unit of electricity that it generates). The even better news is that this tariff will rise to 43.3p per Kwh generated as of the 1st April. In real terms this could amount to a total of £1,170 a year.

You can then use all the free, clean electricity produced by the system during daylight hours. This will lead to a further saving likely to exceed £250 a year by substituting for the electricity that you would otherwise have to buy from the national grid. The value of this saving is likely to increase year on year as the cost of conventional supplies continues to rise.

Any electricity that is generated and not used because you are not at home will get ‘exported’ to the national grid and sold for an additional 3p per unit. Based on the assumption that 25% of the electricity generated is exported back to the grid an additional £20 per annum will be received. This is known as the export tariff.

In simple terms- households with a solar PV system could expect to make a total annual revenue and saving of £1,440. What this means is that households with a Solar PV installation can expect to recover the initial cost of their installation within 7-9 years. For the remaining 18-16 years that the feed-in tariff scheme is secured for households can expect to profit from both the savings and the income.

According to Jasmine Birtles, personal finance expert, ‘Installing solar panels will create a regular, tax-free income for homeowners. Not only that but the income is index linked and guaranteed by the government for 25 years. As it typically gives returns of 5-8% it’s potentially far better than most current bond or gilt investments. It is also a great way to keep your electricity bills down’.

It is also worth mentioning that solar PV systems can increase the value of your property or land. According to Michael Holmes, spokesperson for the National Home Improvement Show, Solar PV systems will increase the value by up to five per cent. After all, a solar powered home allows the buyer to inherit both an income and a lower energy bill.

At Solar Power Intl. we work with building owners and agents through every stage of the process from design and development to the installation and maintenance, delivering both large and small scale PV projects which provide the best possible financial and environmental return to our customers. The company will manage the connection of your PV system with the chosen utility company to ensure that revenue is being generated from the feed-in-tariff. Revenues will accrue to the system owner once the system is operational. 

John Costyn from the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) explainS the reason for exploring a limit on the amount of 50kWp systems entering the scheme is because the tariff was designed to encourage small installations in and for local communities – not big installations by corporates needing big money and generating big profits.

It need not cause a loss in confidence in the scheme. The government insists that it will not act retrospectively and any changes to generation tariffs implemented as a result of the review will only affect new entrants into the FiT scheme. Installations which are already accredited for FiT at the time will not be affected; once an installation has been completed and commissioned they will be safeguarded from any further reviews.

 The coming review should be welcomed.

A 50kWp installation is up to 270 panels.  An installation this size is perfectly suitable for any community building or social housing project. Every school in the country, for example, could spend up to £145,000 and gain an income, including free electricity, of £17,000 a year.

Large-scale solar farms are claimed to be more cost-efficient (thanks to the FiT) but they are not nearly as energy efficient as smaller installations. They don't generate electricity where it's needed and an unnecessary amount of energy is lost in transmission. They are also slower to construct due to planning and grid connection issues. The reality of renewable energy is that efficient use of it will require the decentralisation of our grid (energy produced where it is needed). So it makes sense to support the smaller systems (on household roofs, and community buildings) that can offer the most substantial replacement of our existing non-renewable and high carbon emitting supplies.  After all 63% of the UK’s emissions are caused by the heating of households.

Smaller projects can also offer great opportunities to engage people in changing their behaviour around energy use. Having a solar system on the roof of your house that can offer an alternative to expensive conventional energy supplies will incentivise households to change their usage patterns. Using appliances such as dishwashers during the day and cutting back their usage at night will ensure the value of their savings.  

The feed-in tariff requires licensed electricity suppliers to pay anyone who both generates, uses and exports renewable and low carbon electricity. Both the tariff for exporting the electricity and the separate tariff for generating it are index-linked. This means that they will increase or decrease with inflation. Subsequently, from the 1st April 2011 all electricity generated and exported by accredited installations will receive an adjusted (higher) feed-in tariff rate.

The good news is people who have installed MCS accredited systems before April 2012 will automatically lock into this higher tariff. However, we would advise arranging a meter reading for the 31st March 2011 so that feed-in tariff licensees so that you benefit from the higher tariff payments for your electricity on the 1st April onwards.

The tariff rate for domestic installations on existing properties has increase from 41.3p per kWh to 43.3p per kWh. what this means in real terms is that generators with systems that are the average 4kWp in size can be looking to receive an additional £100 a year from there utility companies. Multiply that by the 25 years that the feed-in tariff will be received for and that's an additional £2500.

So it seems the time for installing Solar PV to your property is very much now. Get in touch today if you want to find out more about your opportunities on 0844 504 13 17 and one of our friendly staff will be happy to help you.

There are various financial instruments to support different budgets. These vary from generous bank loans based on the security of this investment or other leasing options that allow you to avoid the initial high start up costs all together.         So why Solar Power?

1.       Photovoltaic (PV) systems provide clean, renewable power.  They reduce both your electricity bill and CO2 emissions.

2.       They generate an additional income to your farm or enterprise without obstructing your existing business activities. By filling disused spaces such as roof tops or being mounted on mounting systems that are elevated so that they remain available for grazing or other uses. Solar PV can run in harmony with your farm.

3.       They will not be time consuming. Unlike Wind Power, solar panels are static. They will require very minimal attention. Along with the installation Solar Power INTL will provide a wireless monitoring system, so you can easily see how much electricity the system is generating at all times and detecting any faults that may arise.  If a problem is to arise Solar Power INTL will see to it for you.                                                                                      

4.       It will last. Not only will your Feed in Tariff income be secured for 25 years, your solar Panels will continue performing to a satisfactory standard for approximately 40 years. Not to mention the cost of your electricity bill will likely be substantially higher given that they are only ever rising.

5.       You will stay friendly with your neighbours. Solar Panels do not destruct people’s views and they are silent so are not likely to create objections among your surrounding community.

It’s simple; you don’t have to be a big environmentalist for a PV system to make sense on your farm or at your home.  All you need is willingness to making long term investments that improve your operations bottom line. PV systems eventually lead to “free power” whilst in the mean time they pay for themselves.

 Photovoltaic systems have a number of merits and unique advantages over conventional power-generating technologies. PV systems can be designed for a variety of applications and operational requirements, and can be used for distributed power generation.

 Energy independence and environmental compatibility are two attractive features of PV systems. The fuel (sunlight) is free, and no noise or pollution is created from operating PV systems.

If you think Solar PV is the way forwards to a brighter future then call us today on 0844 504 13 17. We are an honest and friendly company ready to help you make the right decision on your Solar investment.

(Farming Monthly Article January 2011)

 This survey doesn’t stand alone. Previous research reported in the Guardian newspaper states that installing a renewable energy system to your property can add up to 9% to its value. It might also be noted that this report was taken in 2006 before Feed in Tariff were added to the equation.  Certainly Chris Holmes spokes person for the national improvement show urges that the retail value of your home could rise by approximately 5%, so not a bad move in this existing property market.  He states that "Retrofitting a home can be the Ultimate responsible home improvement." Phillip Sellwood, cheif executive of the Energy Savings Trust, agrees urging that "It seems Britons are willing to pay more for a home with a renewable energy source so investing in a solar panel could be as attractive to house hunters as a new kitchen or solid wood floors."       

There is no doubt that estate agents will become increasingly accomplished at marketing the concept of solar power, pointing out the financial benefits, with a corresponding uplift in values. The energy efficiency assessment that it handed to all potential buyers of a home can only help sell homes with a solar system on the roof.

So not only will you be paid back while you use your solar PV electricity for the 25 years after it is installed, allowing many systems to be paying for themselves within 7 years as it is, but you will also be reaping the rewards when you sell your house. Sounds like a win-win if you ask me.