16/7/09 - New green policy announcements by the Government (15/7/09) offer residential customers installing solar PV before April 2010, double the benefits by combining the current government grant system with next year's Feed-in Tariff.

Details of the announcement include a feed-in tariff of 36.5p/kWh for systems up to 4kW and 31p/kWh for systems up to 10kW to be introduced 1 April 2010, but applicable to installations from now on, replacing the current ROCS and Low Carbon Buildings Programme (LCBP) grant schemes.  The grants currently reduce the price of a domestic installation by up to £2,500.

"It really makes sense to install before April next year.  By combining grants with future feed-in tariffs, customers are reducing installation costs, reducing pay back times and increasing the return on their investment," explains marketing director, Claire Davies,  "When the money runs out the grants will be gone leaving just the new Clean Energy Cashback Scheme."

Contact The Green Electrician for details or a quotation for your project. 0845 643 2528

Feed In Tariff Details:

• The FIT will pay for all electricity generated by your system
• The FIT is in addition to what your electricity supplier pays your for generating electricity
• The FIT is in addition to the savings you make by using your electricity and purchasing less from the Grid
• The FIT is 36.5p/kWh for small solar photovoltaic systems up to 4kW
• The FIT is 31p/kWh for systems up to 10kW
• Effective as of 1^st April 2010, but all systems from now on will qualify
• Systems installed from now until April 2010 will qualify for both LCBP government grants and the new FIT.
• The Green Electrician is fully accredited Microgeneration Certification Scheme installer, so our installations will be eligible for the feed-in tariff.

Example: A 1.8 kWp Solar PV system (10 x Sharp 180 modules)

Cost approx. £10,000 inc VAT and the grant to install

Potential Electricity Savings: 1500 kWhrs @14p(current electricity price) equates to £210.00

Earnings: FIT 1500 kWhrs @ 36.5p equals £547.50

Therefore annual return on investment is £757.50 or 7.5% (Tax Free)

N.B. The Green Electrician cannot be held responsible for this information, as it is subject to change. However this is how we interpret the Renewable Energy Strategy, published by the government on 15/07/09.