Why solar still has a sunny future R
ecent government cuts to the Feed in Tariff (FIT) scheme caused upheaval in the solar industry. Government forecasts of the scheme uptake were all wrong – their prediction that the UK would see 137MW of solar PV installed in the past year was wildly outstripped by the actual figure of 987MW. The forecast performance of solar PV systems was also underestimated, as figures were based on climate data from Sheffield, but more systems were actually installed in sunnier parts of England. The newly-reassessed ratings show Somerset to have around 20 per cent greater potential for solar generation than the previous figures – which is what MD Stephen Barrett of Solarsense has always said: South West is best for solar! shrink this GL 16/2/12 13:00
Stephen said, “From April 1, an EPC of level D will be required in order to claim the FIT – so if you are considering solar PV but your home is old or draughty, it’s best to act now.” There are also other ways to protect yourself against increasing fuel prices, for example solar thermal or heat pumps. There are upfront grants available for householders installing these renewable heat technologies, and you could pay next to nothing for your heating between May and October. The new Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) means solar thermal is now enjoying a revival, and Backwell-based Solarsense have just been commissioned to install a large solar thermal system at the much-loved community swimming pool in nearby Paulton. Page 1
Top: A Solarsense installer on the roof of their carbon neutral office premises where they have recently installed a 50kWp solar PV system Bottom: free standing solar thermal at an abbey house near Frome
Photos copyright Solarsense UK LTD
Visit: www.solarsense-uk.com
Of course you’d like your home to make less of an impact on the environment. And you’d like your energy bills to make less of an impact on your pocket. But right now it’s harder than ever to find the money to make environmental improvements. So here’s what we’ll do. Move to our C-Change Retrofit mortgage and we’ll discount our Standard Variable Rate by 0.25% for every grade improvement on your home’s energy performance rating. On the whole of your loan – for the lifetime of the mortgage.
C-Change Retrofit The Ecology Building Society mortgage that shrinks with your carbon footprint. Call 0845 674 5566 or go to www.ecology.co.uk/shrinkthis
YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON YOUR MORTGAGE. Our current Standard Variable Rate is 4.90%. The overall cost for comparison is 5.1% APR. Rates correct at date of going to press. An early repayment charge may be payable if you repay all or part of your mortgage within the first four years. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority (registration number 162090). Ecology Building Society, 7 Belton Road, Silsden, Keighley, West Yorkshire BD20 0EE
march 2012
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