Renewable Energy

The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) has recently announced an exciting scheme to encourage more householders to install renewable electricity technologies.

Clean Energy Cashback (also known as Feed-In Tariffs), will provide financial incentives for householders and businesses to install low-carbon electricity-generating technologies such as solar electricity panels and wind turbines.

From 1 April 2010, if you install a small wind turbine or solar panel you will be able to claim payment for the low-carbon electricity produced. A typical installation could earn up to £900 from this.

Additionally, a typical household could save £140 a year off their electricity bill, dependent on how much they use. This is because they will be able to use the electricity generated directly, rather than buying all their energy from their energy supplier.

The scheme will also apply to installations commissioned since July 2009 when the policy was first announced.

If you would like more information about this scheme, please go to the Energy Saving Trust website.

Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI)

In March 2011, the UK Government announced the details of their Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI). RHI is designed to provide financial support that encourages individuals, communities and businesses to switch from using fossil fuel for heating, to renewables such as wood fuel and heat pumps. There will be two phases for domestic customers:

Phase 1 (available from July 2011) - "RHI Premium Payment"

The exact amounts available to consumers have yet to be confirmed. However the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) have announced that the following amounts may be available:

• Solar Thermal - £300/unit
• Air Source Heat Pumps - £850/unit
• Biomass boilers - £950/unit
• Ground Source Heat Pumps - £1,250/unit.

These are one off payments; so not annual

Phase 2 (available from October 2012) - RHI tariffs

People in receipt of the Renewable Heat Premium Payments will be able to receive long term RHI tariff support once these tariffs are introduced, as will anybody who has installed an eligible technology since 15th July 2009.

These tariff payments will start alongside the Green Deal from October 2012 to allow a more whole-house approach to heat production and energy saving.

For further information, please visit the Energy Saving Trust website here .

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Green Deal

Green Deal is the new government initiative to help meet the upfront cost of making your home more energy efficient. Due to be launched in late 2012, Green Deal will allow you to install energy efficiency measures paying for the improvements with the savings on your fuel bill.

Although you will repay the cost over time, this is not a conventional personal loan as the charge is attached to the meter and paid back through your fuel bill. If you move out, the idea is that the new occupant will pick up the charge while also benefitting from a more energy efficient property. For more information, please visit the Energy Saving Trust website here.