Next Earthing Faith gathering: 7-9pm, Thursday 14th June 2012 (in Reading) – Focus on church projects and buildings: http://t.co/YZ1FdGwe
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Feed-in Tariff Update - Feb 2012
Since the last update on the Feed-in Tariff for solar PV installations the government lost the legal challenge over the legality of cutting Feed-in Tariff incentives for solar panels before the end of the consultation deadline, however the Government has challenged this decision. The appeal is still in process, but whilst the court is considering the appeal the Department of Energy and Climate Change have put a new cut off date for Feed-in Tariffs to Parliament. This contingency plan will bring a 21p rate into effect from 1st April for installations registered (and generating) before 3rd March. However, if the Government win the appeal they are able to reverse the contingency offer and revert to the existing 12 December cut off date - so there is a health warning with those figures!
The Department of Energy and Climate Change announced on 9th February, that:
- A tariff of 21p/kWh will take effect from 1st April this year for domestic-size solar panels with an eligibility date on or after 3rd March 2012. Other tariff reductions apply for larger installations.
- Properties installing solar panels on or after 1st April this year will be required to produce an Energy Performance Certificate rating of ‘D’ or above to qualify for a higher FIT.
Due to the nature of the buildings the Energy Performance Certificate rating is likely to prevent many churches from accessing the higher FIT and the Church of England's national environment campaign, Shrinking the Footprint, are still calling for church and community buildings to be exempt from the EPC ratings clause for higher FITs, and the government consultaion is still taking comment on community buildings rates - further details at: http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/consultations/fits_rev_ph2b/fits_rev_ph2b.aspx
Costs for solar PV installations have come down in price a great deal so depsite the reduction in FIT they will still be a feasible project for some churches and will be eligible for a FIT, albeit at a reduced rate.
Once it is clearer where church and community use buildings stand on the EPC rating announcement we will provide an update in this section of the website.
Further information on the Feed-in Tariff can be found on the Department of Energy and Climate Change's website.