Chester-based compliance support service provider, Qualitick, has urged installers to counter the government’s proposed cuts by exploring energy storage and maximising installs between now and the New Year.
The company, whose sub-brands include Easy RSS, Easy MCS and Easy Green Deal, has urged MCS installers to maximise the number of installs from now until 1 January 2016, when deep cuts are scheduled to be implemented.
However the company is calling on installers to explore other options to combat the cuts, most notably pairing installs with energy storage devices. Qualitick managing director, Simon Roberts explained: “We believe that customers should focus on the opportunities to use the full generation from PV in homes with improvements – such as the Tesla battery storage units – where the full production can be used and or stored ready for use.
“What this means in monetary terms is that previously the customer would get an export tariff for a kWh exported to the grid but still the pay for the electricity they need. And with improvements to battery storage now they can store and then draw the energy as they need it, meaning they don’t pay the rate to purchase the electricity.”
However, while the current export model is not currently due to change, the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) has noted a number of concerns about how the export tariff under the feed-in tariff is structured. DECC has outlined a number of proposed changes such as removing the export tariff for >50kW projects, lowering the export tariff and annually reviewing the export tariff. However, it does not intend to make any changes to the export tariff yet and is seeking feedback on its proposals first.
Easy MCS consultant, Mark Roberts explained that, if the export tariff remains as it is, energy storage units could prove compelling to UK solar installers. He said: “I’ve been looking in depth in recent weeks at the Tesla Powerwall and, while I am yet to conclude my report, I believe that customers will save money through the export tariff, storing up solar PV and also storing straight from the grid in off-peak times.”