The department caused confusion in the UK industry when Ofgem figures published last week showed that the summer solar FiT rate would be two rather than three months. The move meant that the UK solar industry would have one less month of tariff stability for <50kW installations, which are due to automatically degress on the next reference date, now 1 July not August 1.

DECC has now published a FiT factsheet to help better explain its decision after industry body the Solar Trade Association took the matter up with the department.

The factsheet also takes a detailed look at how the FiT figures are linked with RPI and the calculation of the export tariff.

The full factsheet can be read below:

FiTs Factsheet – RPI link, Export Tariffs, 2 Month Degression

Retail Price Index Link

·  RPI adjustment is applied every 1 April. It is the percentage increase or decrease in the Retail Price Index over the 12 month period ending on 31st December immediately before the start of the relevant FIT Year

·  Ofgem publish the tariffs in February each year – RPI tariff tables are available on the Ofgem tariff tables’ page.

·  Tariffs are affected by RPI in different ways (see below)

PV Generation Tariffs

·  In May 2012 we announced the new tariffs for PV and the degression policy which started on 1 Aug 2012

·  There have been trigger points in Nov 2012, Feb 2013 and one coming May 2013, some tariffs have therefore been reduced – current tariffs for all PV bands are in the Ofgem tariff tables’ page.

·  The RPI adjustment is applied based on an installation’s eligibility date:

·  After first degression period (1 November 2012) until 31 March 2013, there will be no RPI adjustment in 2013 – these installations will then receive the first RPI adjustment on 1 April 2014, Thereafter;

o   Installations with eligibility date between 1 April-31 December receive RPI adjustment from 1 April of the next FITs year

o   Installations with eligibility date between 1 January – 31 March receive RPI adjustment from 1 April in the following FITs year

·  The reason for this approach is that investment decisions are made based on tariffs at the time. The RPI link is designed to reflect the impact of annual inflation on this decision and it is therefore consistent to apply the RPI adjustment during the relevant calendar year. This is explained on page 22 of the Phase 2a Government Response.

·  Legislation reference is paragraph 9(b) and paragraph 29 (b) of Annex 4 to the Feed-In Tariffs: Modifications To The Standard Conditions Of Electricity Supply Licences (No. 4 Of 2012)

Export Tariff

·  This is based on the expected value of electricity “spilled” to the network

·  The tariff is increased in April every year with RPI (based on process explained above)

·  Generators receive the export tariff based on their eligibility date (which is then adjusted each April by the RPI percentage)

·  So far there are two base levels of export tariff:

o   3p – start of scheme nominal value, actual rate is currently 3.2p/kWh and will increase to 3.3 p/kWh from April 2013

o   4.5 p/kWh – Post 1 Aug 2012 (for PV) and post 1 Dec 2012 (for non-PV) nominal value; this will increase to 4.64 p/kWh from April 2013

·  Legislation reference is paragraph 10 and 30 of Annex 4 to the Feed-In Tariffs: Modifications To The Standard Conditions Of Electricity Supply Licences (No. 4 Of 2012)

Timing of Degression Quarters for Generation Tariffs

·  The original PV policy decision was for degression quarters to be 1 Aug/Nov/Feb/May/(and then Aug again)

·  Following publication of Phase 2b Government Response, in which the degression for Non PV installations is annual (on 1 April each year), it makes more sense to align to two degression policies.

·  To achieve this we intend to have one 2 month period in which the trigger is 2/3 of a normal degression trigger level, there will be a 2 month degression period (deployment period is Feb – March 2013, tariff period is 1 July 2013 – 30 Sept 2013)

·  From then on, degression periods will be 1 July/Oct/Jan/April each year for solar PV

·  Legislation reference is Annex 3, especially the table under paragraph 1, page 28 and paragraph 19, page 32.

Biomass boilers are fully automatic, have better performance and reliability than traditional solid fuel appliances, and behave more like an oil or gas boiler, some use advanced controls which cleverly regulate the amount of fuel being delivered to the burner to match the heat demand on the boiler. The fuel is fed to the burner via an auger connected to the adjacent fuel store, which can in turn be automatically supplied from a bulk store.

There are many different types of biomass, from wood to energy crops to food waste and dry or wet residues like straw, poultry litter, animal slurry and grass silage to name but a few. This makes the agricultural industry a prime source for biomass fuels and what better way to turn what is in some instances a waste product, into a source of energy and money.

Although figures can vary depending on location, there is potential for fuel cost savings of up to 50% per year opposed to oil or LPG for example or even totally free if using a waste product on site. Using this green heating method can also lessen the amount of harmful carbon dioxide being released into the atmosphere and when installed in commercial premises, can also generate income via the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI).

The combination of UK power plants closing, foreign gas supplies shrinking, and demand rising, has made British energy reserves “uncomfortably tight”.

“Ofgem estimates that, by 2020, 60% to 70% of our generation may have to come from gas to fill the gap. That’s up from about 30% today. The government asked Ofgem to look at gas security of supply last year and we concluded that in all but the most extreme circumstances, supplies for domestic consumers should be secure. However, power stations and large industrial users may be affected in a squeeze. The big worry about gas for all consumers is what price will we have to pay to get it? Because just when we need more gas, world demand for gas is set to rise while our own supplies are predicted to fall by another 25% by 2020.”

Responding to Buchanan’s comments, a DECC spokesperson said: “Around one-fifth of our ageing power stations are due to close over the next decade, so as Ofgem highlights, we cannot afford to be complacent and may face a looming energy gap.

In the past renewable energy sources such as Biomass were only considered to be financially beneficial for off-grid properties but with gas prices set to continuously rise and pressure on demand, Biomass is now a serious consideration for all commercial properties.

Biomass boilers or wood-fuelled heating systems produce energy to power central heating and hot water boilers by burning plant and animal matter such as trees, animal by-products, and general waste products.

Replacing gas heating with a wood-burning system can offer significant savings on energy bills, earn a tax-free income through the Government’s Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scheme and protect you against rising energy prices; helping to safeguard your future.

With the cost of wood chips at 2.9p per kWh, compared to the cost of gas at 4.8p per kWh and free installation for eligible large to medium sized sites*, making the s
To find out more about Biomass speak to one of our energy experts on 01283 222112 or visit www.mainline-energy.co.uk.witch has never made more financial sense.

Source – The Telegraph, 19^th February 2013.

*Scheme Criteria

We encourage applications from all interested property owners and long term lease holders, in particular:

• Medium to large size facilities, with a boiler requirement of 50-999 kWh.
• Predictable heat load over 10-20 years’ time frame.
• Existing “wet” heating infrastructure, or proposal to install in conjunction with a boiler.
• Adequate and secure space for the biomass system to be installed.
• Space for a fuel store and suitable access routes.

Mainline Energy Solutions shares these same values. We constantly review products available in this market to ensure that we only supply the best available equipment. Our overall proposition is geared to ‘value for money’; from the products we use to the highly qualified team that ensures that each installation is delivered on time and on budget.
Unlike some companies, ‘standard’ is not part of our vocabulary. We offer personalised, bespoke systems that will meet your needs perfectly, we do not try to shoehorn in ‘packaged’ solutions.

Some testimonials from our customers:

Residential Project 

3.3kWp System – Burton Upon Trent, Staffordshire

• Panel Info: Sunpower 300Wp
• Annual Output: 2,711 kWh/year
• CO2 Reduction: 2,169 kg/year

“The roofers and electricians cleaned up after themselves and left the job tidy. My system is currently outperforming standard SAP calculations, which I am really happy about! I can wholeheartedly recommend Mainline”. - Mr Low

Commercial Project 

Cuckoo Gap Limited

• Location: Limby Hall, Swannington
• System Size: 9.87kW
• System Configuration: 42 x 235Wp Romag Panels & 3 x Fronius Inverters
• Annual Output: 8,109 kWh/year
• CO2 Reduction: 6,487 kg/year

“We had been thinking about installing solar PV for some time and thought it would be a great investment opportunity for us as well as helping the environment. All the costing’s so far have been positive and we are extremely happy. We have installed two systems and are seeing the benefits.”

“We were happy to work alongside Mainline Energy Solutions, a local company of whom we had previous knowledge. They were extremely organised and thorough; we even went back to Mainline for our second installation. We will continue to recommend them.”

Agricultural Solar PV Installations

Busby Partners Limited

• Location: Chilcote, Derbyshire
• System Size: 46.06kW
• System Configuration: 196 x 235Wp Romag Panels & 1 x Fronius CL 36.0 Inverter
• Annual Output: 39,530 kWh/year
• CO2 Reduction: 31,630 kg/year

Testimonial from Mr Philip Busby:

“Mainline Energy Solutions were great from start to finish. Everything went through without a hitch despite the added pressure of coming up to a deadline. We have found the solar panels to be a great investment and will be recommending the idea as well as Mainline to other people.

Their professionalism and customer service have been faultless and we enjoy getting visits from the energy team to check that everything is working okay.”

Special Projects

Melbourne Parish Church

• System Size: 9.84kW (32 x 190Wp & 16 x 235Wp Romag Panels)
• Annual Output: 8,447 kWh/year
• CO2 Reduction: 6,757.60 kg/year

“We were delighted to work on the Melbourne Parish Church Project. It had been in the pipeline for a while and was a real community effort in terms of getting it all processed. Along with the Melbourne Transition Group and Mainline Energy Solutions we put together a plan to install 48 solar panels along the church roof. A year on and we are seeing the benefits of having it and we are proud to be doing our bit for the environment. It has become a tourist attraction with many visitors asking if they can go and view them. We highly recommend Mainline Energy Solutions and were happy to find such a well-known, local company to carry the process through.” - Reverend Mark Powell.

To see more examples of our work visit the Case Studies section on the website www.mainline-energy.co.uk/case-studies or to discuss a bespoke solution for your property call one of our energy experts on 01283 222 112.

After the ‘big 6’ energy suppliers recently announced the next range of price hikes utility consumers have faced a further blow with Ofwat announcing the average water bill will rise by 3.5% to £388 in April; putting even further strain on household budgets.

The increase equates to an increase of £107 per year on average household, with households now having to find £1,740 each year to pay for essential energy, water and sewerage.  But there are a number of ways to reduce your water consumption and lower your water bill.

• Switching to a water meter could save a household around £54 a year.  On a water meter you only pay for what you use, which means that cutting back on the amount you use will save you money.  There is a general rule of thumb to see if changing to a water meter will be beneficial:

If there are less people in your house than bedrooms, e.g. two people living in a four bedroom family home then you could save money by switching to a meter.

• Dishwashers and washing machines account for up to 25% of water used, so make sure they are fully loaded before switching them on.

• Running taps waste 6 litre of water a minute and dripping taps waste 5,500 litres of water per year. Use water more sparingly by switching the tap off when you brush your teeth or when washing.  Fitting a new washer to stop a dripping tap is a simple DIY task and could save around £20 a year.

• Up to 30% of household usage is from flushing the toilet.  A Low-flush toilet can save around 7 litres of water per day compared to more old fashioned toilets.  For a cheaper option, try putting a brick in the cistern such as a ‘Hippo block’.  For just £2 you could save 3 litres of water every time you flush the toilet www.hippo-the-watersaver.co.uk.

• A typical shower uses 50 litres of water compared to 200 litres of water for a bath. Bath water can also be shared with others and reused for use in the garden e.g. watering plants.

• Watering the garden, using the hosepipe and washing the car can account for 10% of household water usage.  A water butt costs around £30 and can collect enough rainwater for most garden watering jobs.

To find out more information about how to save on your household utility bills speak to one or our energy experts on 01283 222 112 or follow Mainline Energy online:

Blog – www.mainline-energysolutions.co.uk.

Facebook - www.facebook.com/MainlineEnergySolutions

Mainline have recently carried out a project to replace the lighting system in the workshop. Lighting accounts for 20% of all electrical energy usage.  After reviewing all of the available options it was decided to replace the existing eighteen 400w Lowbay Floods with eight 200w LEDs (light-emitting diode) lights.

Technology has recently moved forward from the use of Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFL) which offered savings of up to 70% energy usage compared to standard incandescent lighting to LEDs; providing even greater energy savings!

LEDs produce light through the movement of electrons, rather than by passing an electric current through a thin metal wire, as in incandescent (traditional) light bulbs.

Although they cost more to buy than a traditional light bulbs, LED lights have a number of advantages:

• Cost benefit – saving of around £8 per day, this equates to £40 per week or £240 per month!
• Enhanced Capital Allowance Scheme (ECA) – LED lights are included in the scheme that allows businesses to claim 100% of their capital allowances on selected energy efficiency products in the first year.
• Longevity – LED bulbs can last for 25-30 years.
• Environment – LED lights are not affected by low temperatures and use 90% less energy.
• Performance – LEDs give out all their light immediately at start-up (no instances of dimmed light).

Imagine those savings over a 12 month period!

The saving calculations are based on the following figures:

• Existing 18 x 400w Lowbay Floods (7.2kW) replaced with 8 x 200w LED lights (1.6kW)
• Saving 5.6kW per hour at 12p/kW
• £7.92 in a 12 hour day
• £39.60 per working week

We are now stockists of LED lighting, to discuss making the switch contact one of our energy advisors on 01283 222 112.

Background

Directors Keith and Carole Williams are always looking for new, innovative products to expand the range of quality product offering from Mainline; in addition to investigating ways to reduce the carbon footprint and improve the green credentials of the business.

The head office functioned on a gas heating system with a fifteen year old boiler which was nearing the end of its operating life.  After considering the available options an Air Source Heat Pump renewable energy system was chosen for cost, efficiency and the ability to work alongside the existing Solar Photovoltaic system installed in the building.

The System 

An Earth Save Classic 25kW heat pump was chosen for the installation for a number of reasons: highly economical and quiet operation housed in a compact, robust and attractively designed unit. The heat pump is capable of providing all the hot water and heating for the office.  Because the Air Source Heat Pump holds water in the unit a Glycol mixture was an added extra to prevent the water from freezing. An Earth Save Ecocent 100 litre domestic hot water tank was also included as part of the new system.

N.B Figure 2 – Electricity source can be provided by the National Grid or by an existing Solar Photovoltaic system

Installation

The installation took place in a busy office environment but with careful planning it was completed within five days with minimal disruption.  There was only one day without the use of the old gas heating system before the Air Source Heat Pump was up and running.  In England planning permission is not typically needed but it’s always best to check with your local planning office.

Financial Benefits

Air Source Heat Pumps use electricity to operate.  However  because the system works by moving energy that already exists Air Source Heat Pumps can be over five times as energy efficient as the best gas or oil boiler, with a co-efficient of performance ( COP ) of around 3.5 to 4.  This means that for every unit of electricity used, 3.5 to 4 units of heat are produced.

The Air Source Heat Pump works particularly well with Solar Photovoltaic (PV) systems; our Solar PV system provides the electricity needed to operate the Air Source Heat Pump.

From summer 2013 Mainline will also be able to claim payments under the government’s Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scheme.

Environmental Benefits

The Air Source Heat Pump is powered by electricity from the existing Solar PV system so most of the energy used by Mainline is from renewable energy sources; this significantly reduces emissions, lowering our carbon footprint on the environment.

With fuel bills constantly on the rise and increasing pressure to reduce carbon emissions, businesses and homeowners alike are looking for alternatives to conventional heating.

Air Source Heat Pumps are an exciting introduction into the renewable energy market; and could not only provide all the heat and hot water your business or home needs, but could also save money and protect against future energy price increases. 

Contact one of our expert energy consultants on 01283 222112 to find out more information or to discover a bespoke solution for your energy needs.

LED stands for light-emitting diode. LEDs produce light through the movement of electrons, rather than by passing an electric current through a thin metal wire, as in incandescent (traditional) light bulbs.

Although they cost more to buy than a traditional light bulb, LEDs have many advantages:

• LEDs use 90% less energy than incandescent bulbs, as they waste less energy as heat.
• LED bulbs can last for 25-30 years dependent on use.
• LEDs give out all their light immediately at start-up, so you don’t have to put up with a few moments of dim light when you flick the light switch.
• LED lights don’t contain mercury.
• LED lights, like halogens, work fine in low temperatures.

Keep following us on Facebook and Twitter to keep up to date with more energy saving tips and offers; or to discuss how you can save energy call one of our experts on 01283 222044.

Image courtesy of Honeywell

The Green Deal was officially launched by the government on 28^th January 2013. Reports show over 79% of the public are not aware of the scheme.  Gaining information and knowing who to contact can be confusing; our simple guide aims to answer those important questions and identify if the scheme could be for you.

What is the Green Deal?

The Green Deal allows you to make energy-saving improvements to your home or business without having to pay all the costs up front.

The loan stays with the property and is paid back through the electricity bill.  This means that if the property is sold in the future the new owners will take over paying for the debt.

How much can I borrow?

For residential homes up to £10k could be granted for improvements, this figure can be higher for commercial buildings.

Do the savings outweigh the costs?

The golden rule is the energy savings made by the property over a 25 year period must be equal to or more than the cost of implementing the changes in the first place. This ensures that the property owner is saving more on their energy bills than the cost of the changes.

What types of energy saving improvements are included in the Green Deal?

The following types of energy saving improvements are included, however you can have a combination of the below if they fall within your allocated limit (£10k for residential properties).

• Insulation e.g. loft or cavity wall insulation
• Heating
• Draught-proofing
• Double Glazing
• Renewable Energy Technologies

I’m interested in the Green Deal, what do I do next?

A Green Deal provider will need to visit your property to complete a survey to identify what energy saving improvements will be the most cost effective.

You can find an advisor by visiting www.greendealorb.co.uk/consumersearch , or you can ask a Green Deal provider to find one for you.

Courtesy of USwitch

Mainline Energy Solutions will be more than happy to talk you through the Green Deal process, call on of our energy advisors on 01283 222112 or visit www.mainline-energy.co.uk to find out more information on renewable energy and how much you can save.

Solar Thermal is and old and established technology, with its first use dated back to 214 BC! Systems use free heat from the sun (an inexhaustible resource) to provide domestic and commercial hot water systems, providing around 50% of hot water energy needs.

A solar heating system consists of flat plates or excavator tubes fitted to the roof called collectors.  The collectors gather short wavelengths of light from the sun which are then converted into energy, heated up and then stored in a hot water cylinder. A conventional boiler or immersion heater can be used to make the water hotter, or to provide hot water when solar energy is unavailable.

Cost is always an important factor and Solar Thermal can prove a particular good financial choice for new build houses.  A 3m squared system would cost around £700 and could heat water at a cost of 2.3p kWh; a comparable Solar Photovoltaics (PV) system would cost  around £3600 and could heat water at a cost of 6p kWh.  The government offers help towards installation costs through the Renewable Heat Premium Payment scheme; and in Summer 2013 the government plans to expand the Renewable Heat Incentive which pays participants for generating and using renewable energy.

So how do Solar PV and Solar Thermal compare?  Solar Thermal is more efficient than Solar PV; converting 40% into useful energy compared to 11% on a PV system.  Unlike Solar PV, Solar Thermal is not limited by roof space.  The most crucial factor is to install a correctly sized system; not too small so it provides enough hot water but also not too large as excess energy cannot be exported.

In summary Solar Thermal can help reduce your energy bills, cut your carbon footprint and proves a low maintenance system that can provide hot water for residential or commercial needs.  To discuss your energy needs and discover the best solution for your needs speak to a Mainline advisor on 01283 222112.