Removal of Solar Thermal from the RHI

[The Solar King]

This has been rumbling on for several months. DECC finally announced a consultation yesterday which can be found here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/consu...eat-incentive-a-reformed-and-refocused-scheme

Biomass will also take a hit. The strategic thinking behind this is does make more sense, but is hardly helpful.

The reasoning behind removing Solar Thermal demonstrates the thinking of people with absolutely no understanding of the the technology or its complimentary role in improving the total efficiency of other technologies.

Please do respond to this consultation. We already have more enquiries for solar thermal this year than in the whole of 2015.

 

[Worcester]

Re: Removal of Solar Thermal from the RHI and Other Significant Chnages

Significant changes proposed to the Domestic RHI
1. Cap on size of systems:

• Biomass and GSHP capped at 25,000kWh Gross
• ASHP capped at 20,000kwh Gross

With minor tariff changes this means that the MAXIMUM payouts are:
Biomass: £1285 / annum / £8995 over 7 Years
GSHP: £3441 / annum / £24087 over 7 Years
ASHP: £1333 / annum / £9331 over 7 Years

2. Allowance for third party finance by assignment if RHI
"we propose to introduce assignment of rights and expect that it would open up the scheme to those least able to pay. As the payments would go direct to the finance provider, the risk of default is reduced so this type of finance should be available even to those with poor credit."

Minor tidying up:
183 days occupancy for custom / self new build removed
GDAR no longer required, still need loft and cavity wall insulation if recommended measures.

Their goals:
Spend Less:
Cap the big systems
Promote ASHP's
Promote shared ground loop heat pump systems

 

[The Solar King]

On train back from STA meeting in London on how we counter the lunacy of exclusion of Solar Thermal. It is really important everyone responds to the consultation. Have a look at The Solarblogger blog by Stuart Elmes of Viridian Solar.

Withdrawal of ST from the RHI could be a death knell. Which technology would they pick off next?

We are developing a strategy to counter this. Will post any helpful info as available.