Opinions

Connecting a solar power system to the grid involves an application process with the relevant Distribution Network Operator (DNO). In the past, domestic systems under 4kWp have required no pre-approval from the DNO and permission granted after the installation without incident.

Since the announcement that there are yet more feed-in tariff cuts on the horizon, many solar companies are being approached by farmers who are keen to install 50kW of solar PV on 1/4acre of land or a barn roof before the rates are reduced on July 1.

Despite this year’s uncertainty around the feed-in tariff cuts, the number of solar module installations on British buildings continues to rise. Whilst this is undoubtedly a positive sign for the industry, an absence of UK or European standards means that consumers need to take more care with the installation and maintenance of these modules to ensure the safety and return on investment (ROI) of the product. One particular concern being discussed most frequently is the fire risks posed by solar installations.

With the April 1 2012 deadline upon us, solar power installations in the UK must now abide by the EPC requirements to access the full solar feed-in tariff rates. One of the pivotal aspects with domestic homes reaching the ‘D’ banded EPC rating is the presence of a condensing boiler. This is because in combination with a solar power system the condensing boiler lifts the majority of properties into the required EPC band.

Over the last couple of years I have been participating in an MCS working group that addresses roofing and mounting issues for solar PV and solar thermal systems. This work has led to the publication of MCS 012 – Product Certification Scheme Requirements: Pitched Roof Installation Kits – Issue 1.0.

The UK’s Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) views offshore wind as its “marginal technology” – by which it means that if any renewable energy source comes in cheaper, there is every reason to exploit it to the full – but for anything more expensive than offshore wind, there has to be a very good reason for supporting it.

The Supreme Court has today refused the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) permission to appeal the Court of Appeal’s judgement on the feed in tariff…

The price of residential solar panel installations has dropped by 50 percent since early 2011, according to research of over 1,500 consumer quotes by CompareMySolar. Therefore, consumers can achieve a similar financial return as before – despite cuts in the feed-in-tariff from 43p to 21p.

The UK solar industry could be accused of being deeply cynical towards the Department of Energy and Climate Change and with good reason. Numerous mishandlings of the feed-in tariff scheme have led to various boom and bust scenarios over the last couple of years but, more importantly, deep cuts have left people without jobs.

I have been one of the speakers at the Solar Power UK – Coping with the Cuts road-show that has been running over the last few weeks … talking partly about the forthcoming changes to the PV guide and partly about Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs)…