Solar Blog

After months of waiting, the UK Coalition Government has finally revealed its Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) plans. The scheme, which is integral to reducing the country’s reliance on fossil fuels, sets out the plans for paying for the generation of greener alternatives.

However, for those families looking to invest in greener energy alternatives, payments will not be forthcoming until late 2012. Payments will also be made to those who have had eligible installations since July 2009, but the exact tariffs are not known and the schedule for back payments in this regard also remains unclear.

However, there is some good news; the RHI Premium Payment plan will assist the installation of renewable energy technologies. However, there will be eligibility criteria which need to be met, which will no doubt prolong the payments being received further still.

Included in this will be an assessment of a home’s energy performance. Further than this, homeowners will also be required to give constant feedback as to how the equipment is performing, whilst it will only apply to those presently drawing their electricity from the national gas grid.

It is not exactly clear which alternative fuels will qualify for the scheme either. In addition to this, with a review of the Feed in Tariff, (FIT) yet to come too, the situation for families wishing to go green remains unsettlingly vague.

As it presently stands however, it is clear that solar panel installations will remain eligible for payment. With the FIT review upcoming however, solar panel companies are urging those considering installation to act quickly, to ensure that they, as well as the planet, can profit.