Shining A Light On New Technology
Policy changes can direct the future of an industry and upcoming changes to renewable subsidies will focus the industry while increasing competition. Renewable solutions distributor UFW discusses how initial design can get the best product in the right place for the right reason.
The government has unveiled plans to limit the subsidies paid to large solar farms from next April, with the Department of Energy & Climate Change (DECC) saying that it wants to encourage development of small scale and community energy production.
Good news on the surface, but we need to be careful that this move does not undermine investor confidence in the renewable sector.
The recently published UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report cites that a global mean temperature increase of 2.50C above pre-industrial levels could lead to global aggregate economic losses of between 0.2-2%; put simply a 2% reduction would wipe $1.4 trn off the world's economic output.
As such, climate change is arguably one of the most serious threats that the world faces and, whilst there is no denying that the renewable energy industry as a whole is gaining ongoing support and momentum - with a growth in understanding, attitude and popularity towards renewable energy sources evident - there's still a long way to go.
Efficient improvements
Across the sector, manufacturers have been working to improve efficiency, lifespan and raise production levels so that FiT support will be an increasingly smaller part of the equation.
And with an influx of new technology and an increase in the number of installations over recent years it is apparent that the solar industry in particular has even more to offer.
Plus, with the average cost of a solar installation on the decrease, the Feed in Tariff payments combined with savings on existing energy bills helping solar to return a higher yield than some pensions, it's expected that the number of Solar PV installations will only continue to increase.
This is positive news for the solar industry, and the future of our environment, and in response to increasing demand and competition some energy suppliers are now offering their customers new technology that makes the system design and installation process even more efficient.
Software support
One example of this is UFW, a renewable solutions distributor based in Leicester that announced this month that they were making design software freely accessible to all of their customers. The Solar PV software is just one type of new technology that benefits the installer and their customers alike, and allows businesses to compete.
Created by IBC Solar, the programme enables installers of systems to input data in order to design the most cost effective and efficient structure for both commercial and residential properties based on location, size and use, using three-dimensional modelling. It can be accessed from any laptop, desktop or tablet "“ provided the user has access to WIFI.
David Taylor, UFW's business development manager, explains further, "The software makes recommendations with regards the best solar PV system available based on a series of technical calculations including average solar irradiation and forecast or current energy usage.
"Installers will be able to produce 3D models which calculate the effects of shading to demonstrate to the end user exactly what the return on investment is, and why the recommendation for the system, including the number of panels, is being made."
The software is automatically updated, regardless of whether this concerns technical values, prices or dynamic data such as remuneration rates and irridation data.
"Consumers don't have to accept whatever their energy provider puts in their bill," Taylor continues. "Installing PV will help residential and commercial buyers to insulate from the impact of the UK's growing reliance on other sources. Every PV owner is independent and in control of their energy bills for the next 20 years."
Taylor advises that well designed, efficient systems can pay for themselves in as little as seven years, and can provide the property with free electricity for the life of the system.
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