Here we go again- Feed in tariff cuts to come in weeks

[TedM]

The DECC proposal is that there are 3 possible ways for a project to qualify for the extra 12 months grace period to register for ROCs. Any one of these may apply:

1. Preliminary accreditation
2. Significant financial committment
3. Grid connection delay

The evidence you have to present to OFGEM for each of these is:

1. Preliminary accreditation already granted on or before 22 July. You have to have OFGEM paperwork.

2. Showing a significant financial commitment to the project on or before 22 July. You have to provide evidence of all following 3 items to OFGEM:
a) a grid connection offer and acceptance dated on or before 22 July
b) Director's Certificate confirming land agreement in place dated no later than 22 July
c) Planning application received on or before 22 July

3. Evidence of a delay to a planned grid connection, being 3 items:
a) grid connection agreement with a delivery date no later than 31 March 2016
b) declaration that commissioning would have been complete by 31 March 2016 except for delay to grid connection
c) DNO confirmation that delay was not the fault of the generator/developer

So you have to have either 1 or 2 (a,b and c) or 3 (a, b, and c)

A grid connection offer on its own is not enough.

[edit - formatting grrr!]

 

[Dave-geo]

Thanks Ted
That is exactly the information I wanted.
Dave

 

[The Solar King]

Expect FIT review to be launched possibly last week in August. Banding review already announced to preempt swap from ROs.

There are already questions over the legality of the move on Grandfathering.

Helpful background reading is also the think tank Policy Exchange document 'The customer is always right, Putting customers back at the heart of UK Energy Policy', which can be downloaded here:
The Customer is Always Right: Putting consumers back at the heart of UK energy policy
Like it or not this is hugely influential in Government thinking. Won't bore you with detail of relationship between this organisation and current Government.

Data used in it is out of date and several assumptions used in analysis are very naive. Never the less, they will be extremely damaging.

This and much else is being countered as best the industry can, including pointing out just how affordable solar is in terms of the Levy Control Framework. There has been no release of information showing calculation for the projected overspend by 2020. Interpret that as you wish.

There are issues for HMG with subsidies for non renewable technologies. Ever wondered why no new gas fired power stations are being built? Haven't even mentioned the N word, but looks like projected costs for Hinckley Point are spiralling which would mean a much higher CfD than that currently agreed.

The FIT review may be self fulfilling. When announced, it may lead to a market rush and disruption, the last thing that is needed. This in turn could lead to a super degression of the tariff in January.

Needless to say there is considerable dialogue over these issues.

If you are not a member of the Solar Trade Association, I would urge you to join. Individually there is little you can do. Collectively there is a huge amount, and this is already happening. Please don't leave it to others to protect the industry.
Solar Trade Association | The UK's leading solar industry voice

 

[SibertSolar]

Spotted this earlier, not sure how bona-fide it is but....

http://cleantechnica.com/2015/07/31/jaw-dropping-news-in-the-solar-versus-fossil-fuels-debate/

 

[jason121]

I had this sent to me today
There has been a lot of recenttalk in the industry regarding the impending subsidy cuts: here's a quicksynopsis of what it means to you:

• It is likely there will be a 3.5% FIT cut 1st October for sub 10kw installations.
• DECC have announced a consultation as it is likely no new large solar projects will be funded in UK under ROC scheme
• As ground mount installs diminish this will potentially cause a surge for rooftop installs under the FIT. However, the rules specify that if more than 130MWp are installed under the FIT 50+ kWp band in any one quarter, the FIT will reduce by 28%. This will make such installations largely financially nonviable in the future.
• A review will take place "later in 2015" on the FIT scheme, which will almost certainly result in reductions in larger commercial installs in Jan 1st and April 1st 2016
• implications are that smaller residential will continue to be supported but almost certainly at lower rates

 

[The Solar King]

Please see my new post in the Green Lounge.

 

[TedM]

The 1st October PV tariffs were published about 3 weeks ago. There is a 3.5% drop for all bands up to 50kW.

https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/publicatio...ff-scheme-tariff-table-1-october-2015-pv-only

 

[AndrewMgan1976]

So is the drop in FiT only for new installations? Existing tariffs aren't affected

 

[TedM]

Yes, only new installations or extensions. Existing systems get a tariff increase every April in line with the previous year's RPI.

 

[TomBradley]

If you have time, respond to the DECC consultation which closes tomorrow... https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/changes-to-feed-in-tariff-accreditation

Even if it's just a few lines, it will help DECC see how many companies and traders oppose the cuts.

We've got a blog trying to keep track of all the changes in summary... Energy Policy in the UK - a blog. Let us know if there is anything we should add or remove.