THE RIGHT TIME FOR PV
SUSTAINABLE CREDITON SOLAR PROJECT
Latest News 2nd February 2012
Solarsense have pulled out all the stops to install as many members as possible before the Government set deadline of 12th December. As of the 24th January, 65 systems had been installed. That was all the systems planned to be installed before the deadline. 7 of our members cancelled their orders in order to place an order elsewhere to get installed before the deadline. We still have 3 members' orders awaiting installation. These orders were placed after the Government announcement reducing the FIT to 21p and have been placed on the understanding that they will only receive 21p (but see below about the uncertainty regarding the FIT).
A copy of our letter to Mel Stride is here.
A copy of our response to the Governments FIT Consultation can be found here
We believe it is still worthwhile to commit to PV at this level of tariff and it may possibly be more difficult to get the FIT if stringent energy efficiency measures are required from April 2012. The rate of return whilst we are at the 5% discount and 15% rebate is around 8% tax free and index linked, far better than any bank or building society investment. All member orders installed by 13th June 2012 will receive the 5% discount and 15% rebate. That means orders received through to the end of March will qualify for full discount/rebate. Orders installed after 13th June 2012 will start at 5% discount only. Contact Linda Lever on 01363 777624 or lindaandcolinl@phonecoop.coop if you'd like to sign up for a free survey. Solar industry insiders are concerned that the Government may cut the FIT rates to as little as 9p per KWH from April 2012 if it loses the Appeal mentioned below, so even more reason to get PV panels now rather than waiting.
The government's appeal hearing against a High Court ruling declaring its proposed changes to the scheme as unlawful was disallowed by three court of appeal judges. However, the Government announced that it would take that decision to the Supreme Court, which is judged to be a delaying tactic to prevent a further rush of installations before the 1st March, the date at which the FIT will reduce to 21p if the Government loses its appeal.
In the meantime the Government announced that the current feed-in tariff rate for solar installations with less than 4kW capacity will not fall below the proposed 21p per kWh for all systems completed between the December 12 last year and March 31 this year.
The reassurance is significant as it meant solar firms can assume that regardless of the outcome of the current legal battle over whether the government's plan to effectively cut incentives before the end of the consultation period is illegal, the feed-in tariff rate for the current period would not fall below 21p. It implied that if the government won its appeal against a court ruling branding its proposals as "unlawful" the feed-in tariff incentive for installations carried out after December 12 would probably be cut to 21p, while if it lost the case the incentives would revert to the previous rate of 43p per kWh uptil the 1st March.
31/10/2011:
STOP PRESS!!! Feed-In Tariff Changes
Details on the Feed in Tariff Consultation have been announced a few moments ago on the following linked DECC webpage
For any NEW SALES ENQUIRIES, Solarsense are sorry to say that they cannot accept any further sales enquiries based on the higher rates (e.g. 43.3p/kWh). They will however be accepting sales enquiries on the basis of the new FiT rates, which they feel will still make excellent economic sense - more on this to follow later when we have had a chance to look at the figures
Now's the time to invest in photovoltaic [PV] cells on your roof to generate electricity.
Sandford Energy Group and Sustainable Crediton have created a Buying Group for members to buy Photovoltaic Systems from a reliable and reputable installer at a lower cost than to the general public. We want to help people reduce their carbon footprints and energy bills. We are not a company trying to make money!
Benefits of the Buying Group
- 5% discount with the possibility of further rebates if more people join the scheme
- Very keen prices following competitive tender
- Process for regularly checking prices
- Local company rep carries out the surveys
- Safety in numbers, installer will always be motivated to perform well
- Scheme encourages internal recommendation, the more people joining, the greater the rebates.
- Applies to all Sustainable Crediton supporters living in and around Crediton EX17 post code area or within 4 miles if not in EX17 post code.
Why Solar PV
- Save on CO2 emissions
- Save on your electricity bills
- Get paid tax free and index linked Feed In Tariff for 25years for all electricity generated
- Earn extra for all electricity exported
- Possibly increase the value of your home
- Protection from increasing energy costs
Feed in Tariff [FIT]
What you get for systems up to 4kWp installed before April 2012: 43.3p for every unit of electricity generated - whether you use it in the house or it’s surplus you send to the national grid. It's guaranteed over 25 years, tax free and index linked. Seems to good to be true, but it is!
Daytime free electricity - not all you require but should reduce bills considerably.
Another 3.1p per unit on what you put into the national grid.
An example: PV on Sandford Stores has generated over 4,500 units in 18 months, saved a lot on electricity bills and put half the units into the grid
Our Chosen Installer: Solarsense
- Questionnaires sent out to 28 installers for reply by end of November 2010
- 14 detailed responses received covering prices, discounts, experience etc
- Short-listed to 5 during December 2010
- Tender issued in January 2011 with 3 responses received.
- Solarsense evaluated to be the best value tenderer.
About Solarsense
Solarsense is a fully accredited installer of both solar thermal (hot water) and PV (electric) systems and have installed over 3,100 such systems since 1994, making them the leading installer in Bristol, Somerset and the South West, and amongst the most experienced in the UK.
Visit Solarsense's website here
Solarsense win British Renewable Energy Company of the Year Award.
Buying Group Prices, Discounts and Rebates
- A price list of a wide range of PV systems updated quarterly
- 5% community discount applicable to Sustainable Crediton supporters who have joined the scheme
- A further rebate given after 12 months depending on total number of installations carried out. Individuals will receive their rebate 12 months after their installation is completed.
Original Price List Here dated Jan 2011
Additional Price List Here dated 24 May 2011
Current price list dated 5th August applicable to all new applicants after 15th August 2011
Members of the buying group who joined prior to 15th August will receive quotations based on the Jan or May price lists. Members joining from the 15th August will receive the August prices.
| Number of Installations in 12 months | Discount and Rebate |
| 1-9 | 5% |
| 10-19 | 5 % + 2.5% rebate |
| 20-50 | 5% + 5% rebate |
| 50+ | 5% + 15% rebate |
Return on investment based on Buying Group rates (15/8/2011) but at the new FIT rate of 21p
- 2.45KWp Moserbaer system costs £9056 less 5% =£8603 plus scaffold if req'd at £450 = £9053
- Forecast PV output= 2083KWh
- FIT income 2083 X 21p = £437
- Export payment = 1041 X 3.1p =£32
- Electricity used saving = 1041x 15p =£156
- Total saving pa=£625
- Payback = 9053/625 = 14.5 years or 7% pa ROI tax free
- Further 10.5 years of FIT payments and savings
- Rebate of £452 if 20-50 people install (13.7 years payback)
- Rebate of £1358 if 50+ people install ( 12 years payback)
Typically, given normal weather, the system would earn over £600 per annum , a much better return than bank or building society on an investment of just over £9000. Repayment time would be about 14 years and the income would continue for the guaranteed 25 years. With a low cost loan such as an extension to a mortgage, the FIT money should contribute to repayments and you would still get [increasingly valuable] free electricity which would continue after the loan is repaid.
Warranties/Guarantees from Solarsense
- 5 years parts and labour guarantee
- 10 year warranty on the inverter
- PV panels power output warranty 20 years at 80% of new performance.
Requirements for PV
You need a reasonable sized roof facing south, south-west or south-east.
Not shaded by trees or buildings. Roof must be structurally sound.
Free installation offers
We have investigated these and found catches in most of them. If you
have some savings or can secure a
loan, it's better to pay for installation
yourself and gain the FIT money.
Cost
Each installation will be priced individually since there are lots of
variables - size of available roof space, condition of roof, loft space,
need for scaffolding, etc. However prices will be those in the Agreement unless the customer asks for an alternative system or has some complications such as an unsound roof.
Contracts
These would be between the individual householder and Solarsense
How to take part:
- Joining fee of £5 payable to Sustainable Crediton (cheque made out to Sustainable Crediton ). This applies to individuals or community groups.
- We will pass on your details to Solarsense and let you know we have done so.
- Solarsense will perform a survey and provide a quote based on agreed prices and discounts and including a £15 donation to Sustainable Crediton
- If customer accepts the quotation, then customer pays Solarsense a 20% deposit on order.
- Solarsense completes the installation, full payment becomes due to Solarsense
- A £15 donation is paid to Sustainable Crediton by Solarsense.
To join email solar@sustainablecrediton.org.uk or ring Linda Lever 01363 777624 or download this application form,complete it and post/deliver to one of the addresses on the form
Communications with Solarsense after joining the Buying Group
As soon as Sustainable Crediton receives your application form and £5 joining fee we will pass on your details to Solarsense's local rep, Ian Ford.
Linda Lever is a bit concerned that sometimes her email acknowledgements of PV application forms and cheques might not be getting through. Linda usually acknowledges promptly by email and if people haven't heard anything in a week or so they should look in their spam boxes or give her a ring. For those not on email Linda will phone to acknowledge. Forms posted to her will get through more quickly than those left at the Greenhouse.
Ian will endeavour to contact you within 2 working days of his receiving your details from us. However Ian does have a large list of people waiting as of 30th September so do please be patient.
If you have not been contacted within a reasonable timeframe please call the Solarsense Marketing and Relations Coordinator responsible for our Buying Group in Bristol , Jennifer Stanley- Smith on 01275 461800 or Linda Lever on 01363 777624
The Agreement with Solarsense in full
Read the full Agreement to discover what Solarsense's obligations are to you.
Why £20 for Sustainable Crediton
- We are a not for profit community group run by volunteers
- We are dependent on donations and small grants to pay our running costs such as stationery, website, hall hire, etc etc
- Many man-hours expended on this project and some on-going expenses for advertising to promote the scheme.
Legal Disclaimer
Please note that Sustainable Crediton or any individual or individuals working to promote the Sustainable Crediton Solar Project cannot accept any liability whatsoever in respect of any loss or damage suffered by a purchaser or any other person in respect of any goods supplied or installed under this Project, including any loss or damage suffered as a result of the quality or lack of fitness for purpose of any goods supplied or installed, or any failure by the supplier to deliver or install the goods or to install them to the purchaser's satisfaction. Sustainable Crediton and members of this group have provided all information in good faith and you are solely responsible for your own project, any survey or preparatory works and no reliance can be placed on this document, the public meeting(s) or any other communication from Sustainable Crediton or the Sustainable Crediton Solar Project. Please make sure you have checked the credentials of anyone visiting your home and take appropriate security precautions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this offer open to other places?
As from 15th August 2011, this offer is open to any of our supporters provided they live in the EX17 postcode area or if outside EX17 within 4 miles of Crediton and pay the £5 joining fee.
This link gives an indication of the EX17 area
Are there grants available?
Regretfully there are no grants available. The sole Government incentive is the feed in tariff scheme described at the link below or in the right hand column.
What is the pay back period?
The pay back period is likely to be between 8 and 10 years. See the example further up the page.
I can't afford to invest. Are there any low cost loans?
If you have a low interest rate mortgage, an extension to this may be your best option. The Government has pledged to implement a "pay as you save" scheme but this is unlikely before 2012. See Martin's Money Tips website for latest low cost loan deals.
Are there local homes with solar panels we can visit?
Yes there are. See a map of properties here whose owners are more than willing to show you their installations and offer advice. To make an appointment at one of the properties email info@sustainablecrediton.org.uk or ring Linda Lever 01363 777624
How do you get your FIT payments?
To get your FIT payment you have to register your system with your
electricity supplier. You have provide your electricity supplier with your
MCS Installer Certificate, obtained from Solarsense, which proves that both the installer and the solar
panels are approved by the Government. Then your electricity supplier will register you with
Ofgem, the electricity industry regulator and provider of tariff payments. This
paperwork only takes about a month to come through and is very simple to
do. Generally your electricity supplier will tell you what it needs and Solarsense will assist you in your registration.
Why is there a separate charge for rope access if scaffold is not used to install our panels?
To access the roof Solarsense either have to use scaffolding or trained rope access installers for health and safety reasons. Now, the rope access staff are more expensive than those untrained in rope access who would just use scaffold to access the roof. The cost is about the same for scaffold vs. rope access. The only occasion where there may possibly be no charges is on a single storey low pitch outbuilding having a small system where a small tower scaffold could be used.
What is Solarsense's position on Building Regulations?
In line with MCS regulations as regards the installation of photovoltaic panels, we operate under “self certification”.
This means, that as long as we install in line with all requirements of the MCS scheme, to the relevant installation standards (DTI 2 nd Edition, Installation of Photovoltaic Systems) and as long as sign-off is by an accredited (NAPIT< ELECSA, NICEIC etc electrician) then our installations are covered as self-certified.
During our surveys, we note any issues with the roof structure (disease, infestation, cut structural timbers, lack of cohesion between roof and wall plate etc) and if these dictate that we need further survey, it is passed to our structural engineering practice for analysis and resultant mitigating measures as regards the fixing centres etc.
We design to, or beyond, the best practice guidelines by employing an edge gap (wherever possible) of at least 300mm at sides and eave, and 500mm at the ridge on every roof.
Wind loads are 3x in this area what they are in the centre of the roof.
Further, where the property is in an exposed location (marine or mountain locations) we would aim to further increase the edge distances to at least 500mm all around.
Our arrays also use a mounting system that keeps them very low to the roof surface, thus reducing wind uplift, compared to many proprietary systems used by some other installers.
In over 5000 installations of PV, we have not had a single array that has either damaged or dislodged any part of a roof, so we are supremely confident in our fixing and design methodologies.
Those roofs that were built to building regulations since they were brought into effect in the 1930's and the loadings that were applied in these regulations allowed for sufficient wind uplift and live/dead loads for the safe installation of PV arrays.
In the vast majority of cases, we are happy to install on roofs – it is perhaps less than 5% that require further detailed structural analysis.
When does eligibility for the FIT start?
Ofgem states "Feed-in tariff (FIT) payments start on the eligibility date of the installation. Eligibility date for FIT Installations is the later of the commissioning date or the application date. Effectively meaning you have to commission and apply for the scheme to be eligible to receive payments. We would advise people to apply soon after their system is commissioned, but regardless generators will receive a fixed period of support from their eligibility date based on the technology type. i.e. 25 years for PV."
Simple Guide to Feed-in Tariffs
Updated 18th January 2012
