If, like us, you’ve been thinking about installing solar panels on your home, we’ve got some good news. There’s never been a better time! Until April 2011, homeowners can take advantage of not one, but two Government initiatives for help in funding photovoltaic panels.
Chris James, solar expert for npower, explains: “July 2009 saw the Government announce plans for clean energy cashback, otherwise known as feed-in-tariffs (FITs). Put simply, owners of solar photovoltaic panels will be paid for all the clean energy they produce – regardless of whether they use it or export it back to the grid. While the plans will come into effect from April 2010, anyone installing solar panels from now onwards will be eligible for the scheme.
“What’s more, earlier this year the Government injected the Low Carbon Buildings Programme (LCBP) with an additional £10 million to extend phase one until April 2011. This means the two schemes will run concurrently for a total of 22 months, offering savvy homeowners the chance to maximise their funding for solar panels.
“In short, until April 2011 homeowners can receive up to £2,500 towards the installation cost of the panels, while FITs could deliver an annual income of over £600 per household. And that’s before you consider bill savings of around £110 a year*. These financial incentives make the case for solar far more attractive.”
It appears that the combination of the two initiatives has given many UK households the impetus they needed to get serious about solar. npower solar saw enquiries rise by almost 200 per cent in the weeks following the announcement of FITs.
Under the LCBP, property owners including private householders can apply for grants of up to £2,500 on solar photovoltaic panels. Solar thermal panels are also incentivised to a maximum of £400, or 30 per cent of the relevant eligible costs*. Meanwhile, the introduction of FITs will see solar photovoltaic customers receive up to 36.5p/kWh for systems generating up to a peak of four kilowatt hours.