News Article
STA Praises Government Framework
The new framework that the government has put in for future solar subsidies in the UK has been broadly approved by the Solar Trade Association (STA) stating it means better stability for the solar industry and consumers over next three years. But STA is still "˜very concerned' by stalled market and asks Government to help broadcast positive investment message to encourage the financial community scared off by recent and sudden changes to the government's plans.
The new framework shows how tariffs will be reduced in line with reductions in technology cost and in order to keep the scheme within DECC's budget. The framework means both industry and consumers can have better forward visibility about when adjustments to tariffs will be made, and what they are likely to be.
STA Chief Executive Paul Barwell comments: "This now provides the industry with the security of guaranteed tariffs to 2015 allowing it to build for the future. The STA is pleased to have won its ask for quarterly reviews with more responsiveness to market size, and less emphasis on automatic tariff cuts."
DECC has provided the resources to achieve around 800MW to 1,000MW of solar installations each year to 2015. This is more per annum than the original FIT scheme anticipated over five years, which reflects the great achievements the UK industry has made in increasing efficiency and bringing down costs.
These figures do not include large-scale projects that are able to use the Renewables Obligation (with 2 ROCs available for large-scale PV), of which there could be a further 300-600MW installed before April 2013.
DECC will also be revising its Renewables Roadmap to offer clear recognition that solar has a major role to play in the UK electricity system.
Paul Barwell continues: "Last year STA published its Solar Revolution Strategy arguing for a minimum 1GW per annum industry. Today's announcement proves that the STA has won its case for proper recognition for the role of solar and the development of a mature solar market in the UK."
The tariff for a (sub-4kW) domestic system from 1st August will be 16p, slightly lower than the STA wanted. However, investor income will be further boosted by the increase in the export bonus to 4.5p (from 3.2p today).
Paul Barwell says:"We remain very concerned that the market has stalled, and the recession certainly hasn't helped. However, today's announcement means we can now be confident that even when tariffs are adjusted on 1st August, solar will still offer attractive returns to consumers certainly when compared to other investments currently available.
"It is vital consumers understand tariffs can come down because the costs of solar have come down, there is a faulty perception out there that cuts mean solar doesn't pay. In fact, solar offers similar returns today as when the FIT scheme began because the industry has been so successful at reducing technology and installation costs.
"Furthermore, the relative income from a PV system is likely to be better than DECC suggests because energy bills are set for another significant increase this year. So we expect to see more and more people turning to solar to save money, not just the planet. Today's announcement should help restore confidence about the stability of the industry and Government's commitment to the growth of this sector."
Features of the new cost control framework advocated by STA and welcomed today
- A less complex degression management model than previously proposed, with smaller quarterly degressions linked to market deployment, and less emphasis on automatic degression;
- around 800MW FIT market in 2012/13 (400MW possible before further 0.5p tariff reduction);
- safeguarding of different sub-sectors of solar market. Market for different applications of solar (domestic, community and commercial scale) will be protected by distinct deployment thresholds before tariff cuts are triggered;
- a higher export bonus of 4.5p to better reflect the true value of locally generated power; better treatment for aggregated schemes;
- 90% of the tariff will be paid for schemes of over 25 installations (rather than 80% originally proposed);
- maintenance of RPI-linking tariff payments meaning consumers retain the value of tariffs going forward.
Features of the new cost control framework where STA has concerns
- The STA wanted allowance for around 300MW of installations at current tariff rates (21p for sub-4kW) before the new tariff reduction would be introduced to enable full market recovery;
- there is no "reverse gear" on tariffs if the market continues to stall;
- the STA disagrees with DECC's methodology for the calculation of long-term returns on investment.
The STA will be carrying out further analysis, including on returns, on the proposals published for its members.
STA Chairman Alan Aldridge concludes, "The fact is solar is one of the best investments in town for householders. We need Government now to work with us in this very difficult economic climate to get the message out that this tremendous technology is a great investment."
