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Our heavy dependence on imported oil, with rising and volatile prices, together with ecological considerations has led many to believe that the focus on new clean technologies, combined with wide scale behavioural change promoted through incentives and education is becoming urgent. To this end, the government has introduced a number of incentives for people and businesses to invest in renewable energy, both for their own use and to sell back to the energy companies. Under the Feed-In-Tariffs scheme, energy suppliers pay householders and communities who generate their own electricity from renewable or low carbon sources. The scheme guarantees a minimum payment for all electricity you generate, as well as a separate payment for the electricity you export to the national grid. This is in addition to the bill savings you make by using the electricity you generate.
However, Energy Minister, Greg Barker, is concerned that FIT payments to large-scale solar energy firms will consume cash intended to boost the growth of community projects and small-scale renewable energy generation among homeowners and small businesses. He is considering bringing forward a review on the scheme, warning: "I will not allow the hard won available funding to be scooped up by a few industrial scale solar farms at the expense of the domestic or small business installations."
Dave Papps from Stroud-based Eco-Energy Solutions UK agrees: " It is important to have large scale energy sites but when it starts to jeopardise funding for small scale community and home energy projects, which is why the feed in tariff payment scheme was set up in the first place, then it becomes a problem. I would like to see a different scheme set up for large scale investors which does not affect the small scale market."
As Ian Selwood from Randall and Payne, Cheltenham says: “This highlights the need for Gloucestershire to generate as much energy as it can from alternative sources, particularly green energy sources, as well as to conserve energy as much as possible. The Government is doing much to incentivise green energy projects, and local companies are beginning to produce some exciting new products off the back of the these incentives, for example Mitsubishi’s new electric car the i-MiEV which launches in January. We are also noticing industry and individuals beginning to wake up to energy generation as a result of the feed in tariffs, and are seeing exciting new business start-ups related to solar, biofuel and other alternative energy projects.”
The Energy Saving Trust Advice Centre can provide you with free, independent advice about the benefits and suitability of the different technologies and help you consider what energy efficiency improvements you might also need to make. Severn Wye Energy Agency (www.swea.co.uk) can offer advice on a Pay As You Save Loan scheme being piloted nationally for a limited time. Ian Selwood at Randall and Payne can offer advice for start-up businesses in this sector and businesses considering a move to generating their own energy.
For more information contact Ian Selwood on 01242 548600
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