Blogs

When Exeter resident Mr Spencer had his solar PV system fitted nine months ago, he was looking forward to free renewable electricity, lowering his bills, and years of hassle-free feed-in tariff payments from the government.

The UK is forecast to be the fifth largest PV market globally during quarter one of this year.

After setting off five weeks ago, the Solar Power UK series of roadshows drew to a close this week up in Scotland, the final of the seven roadshow locations.

Ofgem published the feed-in tariff rates starting from 1 May. Nothing surprising there except that, on closer inspection, the stated period was marked down as 1 May-1 July not 1 May-1 August.After a bit of digging by Solar Power Portal, DECC confirmed that the Ofgem figures where indeed correct: the next FiT period will be a month shorter than previously expected.

Chris Laughton, Managing Director at the Solar Design Company, takes a detailed look at the impact of the new MCS guide on shading calculations.

The domestic solar market is continuing to flatline and consumer confusion is rife. Now is the time for clear messages: solar in the UK is more compelling than ever

One of the key financial policy measures introduced as part of the FiT reviews last year was the automatic degression of solar PV feed-in tariffs, linked to national installation targets being met.

Many in the industry have denounced this period of stability as a false dawn, pointing to the potential of module price rises in 2013 to derail the government’s solar plans. However, the UK solar market’s stability faces a much greater risk than global module price rises: the European Commission.

We’re a cynical bunch us Brits. The much-trumpeted Green Deal scheme finally launched at the beginning of the year and, right on cue, the press jumped on its back pulling the scheme apart.

Following the publication of the updated MCS guide, I have been inundated with questions. On this page I will try to keep an updated list of the most common questions.