Ofgem has published the latest quarterly report for the non-domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) which shows that installed capacity under the scheme has topped 400MW.
Since the last figures were published in March there has been 138.1MW of new capacity installed under the scheme, representing a 45% increase over the last quarter. The number of applicants has remained steady with 609 received between 1 April and 30 June, compared to 605 in the previous quarter.
Biomass boilers continue to dominate the scheme, representing 93.12% of all installations carried out under the RHI. Commercial solar thermal installations represent the second largest technology installed under the scheme but only account for 3.47% of all installs, around 14MW of capacity.
Since it was launched in November 2011, Ofgem has paid out over £15 million in RHI payments, with £6.3 million paid out in the latest quarter.
The domestic counterpart of the RHI will be launched in Spring 2014 after being continually beset by delays. However, any household that has already installed a renewable heating system on or after 15 July 2009 will be eligible to join the scheme.
With the RHI set to drive a significant increase in demand for renewable heat technologies, Solar Energy UK in October has introduced a new Renewable Heat Feature area which will provide free practical demonstrations on collectors, cylinders, pumps, controllers and solar thermal system integration.
Elsewhere, there will also be a Joint Solar Thermal Forum hosted by the European Solar Thermal Industry Federation (ESTIF) and the STA. Presentations focusing on the RHI will also be given by representatives from DECC and the ESTIF Secretariat.
Solar Energy UK 2013 will take place 8-10 October at the NEC in Birmingham. Further information is available here.
