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The Government have now announced the long awaited feed-in tariffs for solar PV and they're better than expected! From 1st April 2010 the FIT for solar PV will be 41.3p/kWh generated plus a further 3p/kWh excess electricity sold back to the grid.
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Doomsday vision of global warming: droughts, floods and economic chaos

By Graeme Wilson, Political Correspondent
Last Updated: 3:23am GMT 01/11/2006

In 600 pages, Sir Nicholas Stern spells out a bleak vision of a future gripped by violent storms, rising sea-levels, crippling droughts and economic chaos unless urgent action is taken to tackle global warming.

His heavyweight review - which is broken down into six parts containing 27 separate chapters - stresses that any delay will leave the world in "dangerous territory".

Climate change the evidence
There is now "overwhelming" evidence that shows "climate change is a serious and urgent issue" and has been created by man's actions. It now "threatens the basic elements of life for people around the world - access to water, food production, health and use of land and the environment".

Temperatures are expected to rise by between 2 C and 5 C - an increase on the same scale as the last Ice Age - though the increase could be as high as 10 C by 2100 if greenhouse gas emissions continue at current levels.
The changes will see the area affected by "extreme drought" soar from one per cent of the world's land mass to around 30 per cent. In other areas, there will be widespread flooding and more intense storms. "The risk of abrupt and large-scale changes in the climate system will rise." Sea levels could rise by up to 12 metres over the next few centuries.

The severity of the impact requires "strong and urgent global action to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions". There will also need to be "major action to adapt to the consequences that now cannot be avoided".


Impact on growth and development
By 2100, an extra 250,000 children a year will die in the poorest countries as a result of climate change, while up to 220 million more people could fall below the $2 a day poverty line. A temperature rise of just 1 C to 2 C could lead to the extinction of between 15 and 40 per cent of all species.

Rising sea levels will threaten countries like Bangladesh but also some of the biggest cities, including London, New York, Tokyo and Shanghai. Ocean acidification could destroy fish stocks, crop failure will leave hundreds of millions at risk of starvation and up to 200 million people will be displaced by rising sea levels, floods and drought. It is already too late to avoid many of the problems facing people in the Third World.

"Strong and early migration is the only way to avoid some of the more severe impacts," the report warns.
The world's richest countries will suffer with more hurricanes and floods. Climate change could cost between five and 20 per cent of global GDP.

The cost of stabilising greenhouse gas levels
Greenhouse gas levels have increased steadily since the Industrial Revolution from 280 parts per million CO2 to 430 ppm but the process has accelerated in recent years. "Very strong reductions in carbon emissions" are needed to ensure they are cut by 25 per cent by 2050 and "ultimately to less than one fifth of today's levels."

The goal is to stabilise levels at 550 ppm, though existing fossil fuel stocks could take CO2 levels beyond 750 ppm, "with very dangerous consequences".

Early action is vital to stabilise greenhouse gas levels. This will require moves to ensure the price of goods and services reflect their "full costs" to the environment, as well as the greater use of new low-carbon technologies. Policies to reduce emissions

Carbon pricing must be at the core of any policy. Governments must put an "appropriate price on carbon, through taxes, trading or regulation" - and encourage people to buy low-carbon goods and services. There must also be an expansion of carbon trading schemes to give industry and business financial incentives to reduce emissions.

At the same time, governments and the private sector need to step up investment in new technology to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The report calls for a five-fold increase in incentives for "low emission technologies".

This will involve alternative ways to produce electricity, new forms or transport and other low-carbon energy sources.

Policies to cope with existing climate change
Increases in greenhouse gases mean countries must adapt to cope with the "unavoidable impacts of climate change to which the world is already committed". This could include, for example, farmers switching to more climate-resistant crops.

However, this type of adaptation will only have a limited effect and "mute the impacts" of global warming. It must exist alongside strong and ambitious policies to reduce emissions.

It is also expensive. It could cost the world's richest countries up to $150 billion a year - around £80 billion or 0.5 per cent of global GDP - to construct new buildings and infrastructure that can cope with climate change.

Governments can help by investing in more accurate climate forecasting; regulations to encourage better use of land and higher quality buildings; more coastal protection; and help for the poorest families who cannot afford insurance.

International action
The report calls for "stronger, more co-ordinated" international action on climate change, although this requires greater public support.Such a strategy will require a "broadly similar price for carbon" across the globe and close involvement of the private sector. More must be done to encourage developing countries to opt for low-carbon technology.

 

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Q. What is sustainable energy?

A. Sustainable energy is best thought of as energy which can be replenished within a human lifetime and which causes no long-term damage to the environment. Solar energy, wind energy and geothermal energy, amongst others, are all self-sustaining. They all have sources that cannot be depleted. Extended use of these energy sources aids the conservation of other non-renewable energy sources such as fossil fuels.

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Q. How does solar technology work?

A. The idea behind technologies which use solar energy is to harness the freely available rays from the sun in a useful form.The technology used for solar water heating is simple and effective. The basic principle uses an absorber plate which is heated by the sun's rays. The heat is collected in a transfer liquid which is in turn used in a heat exchanger to heat water. The technology used for solar PV uses silicon wafers to transform energy from sunlight into electricity.
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Q. Do I need a particular type of roof for solar installation?

A. In the UK the best orientation for solar panels is facing due south and tilted at between 30 and 45 degrees from the horizontal. The gains available will reduce as the orientation moves away from due south. A variety of brackets and frames are available for solar systems to suit different roof types (pitched and flat) and different types of roof tiles.

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Q. What if there is no sun or it is a cloudy day?

A. There is a widely held opinion that the UK does not have enough 'sun' to make solar systems worthwhile. In fact parts of the UK have enough annual solar radiation levels equal to 60% of those experienced at the equator.
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Q. Do I still need a boiler if I have a solar thermal system?

A. Solar heating on a normal domestic scale in the UK will provide around 50%-70% of the annual household hot water requirements. Although the system may provide most of the hot water required in summer, the winter results, due to the lower intensity of the sun and the shorter daylight hours, will be reduced. As such the property will need a boiler (or suitable alternative) to make up the difference in domestic hot water requirement and for the central heating of the house.
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Q. How much will a solar hot water system cost me?

A. The cost of the system and installation will depend on a number of factors. The main one being the type of hot water system currently used in the property. Do you have a vented or unvented system or use a combination (combi) boiler? To utilise solar heating you need to have a solar compatible hot water cylinder installed. Unvented hot water cylinders are more expensive then vented systems. If you have a combi boiler supplying your hot water then it will need to be capable of accepting warmed water from the solar array. Another factor will be the height of the property or indeed where the solar collectors will be located. And of course we need to consider how many people the system will cater for.

As a general guide for a system supplying four people installed in a two storey house you should budget for around £4000 - £5000. A full price will be quoted at the end of the site survey which will be valid for one month.

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Q. How much will a solar PV system cost me?

A. As a general rule the cost of a solar PV system will be approximately £4000-£5000 per kWp installed depending on a number of factors such as collector and inverter manufacturer, type of mounting system used and size of system being installed. A typical household would benefit from a 1.5-2.5 kWp system.

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Q. Is there any Government funding available?

A. The Department of Trade and Industry has funded an initiative called the Low Carbon Building Programme. This scheme entitles home owners and not-for-profit organisations to financial help with a solar heating system when installed by an approved MCS installer. Householders can apply for a grant of £400 regardless of system size. For non-profit organisations the funding can be up to 50% of the installation costs. Full details and an application form can be found at the Low Carbon Building Programme website.

For solar PV, from 1st April 2010 the UK Government are bringing in a feed-in tariff (FIT) for small scale renewable and low carbon electricity. The FIT for solar PV will reward electricity generators with £0.413 per kilowatt-hour generated plus £0.03 per kilowatt-hour exported back to the grid. These tariff rates are guaranteed for 25 years.

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Q. Will I have to pay VAT for installing solar panels?

A. At the present time the installation of solar heating systems attract a reduced rate, currently set at 5%.
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Q. Will I need planning permission?

A. Unless the installation is on a listed building or in a conservation area, it is unlikely that planning permission will be necessary. However it is always a good idea to check with your local planning authority first. It is also possible that you may need approval under the building regulations, although unlikely as most solar installations do not involve structural changes. Again however it is best to check with your local council who administer the building regulations. The local water company should also be informed of any changes to domestic plumbing, including solar water heating installations. We as a company will help and advise where ever possible.

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Q. I have decided to install a solar system. What happens next?

A. Excellent decision. You will be joining over 10,000 people that already have a solar system installed and enjoy the benefits of reduced energy bills as well having the knowledge that you are helping to reduce greenhouse gases.

Domestic solar systems are essentially custom-built taking into account the requirements of the individual household and the characteristics of the property in which they are to be fitted. Therefore, in the first instance we need to visit the property and complete a site survey.

After the survey is completed we will send you a completed report with the exact price of your new solar system. This price will be valid for three calendar months should you decide to go ahead with the installation, however you will be under no obligation to do so.
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Q. What is the difference between solar thermal and photovoltaics?

A. Both solar thermal, as well as photovoltaics, are systems which utilise the energy from the sun. Solar thermal systems generate heat with the radiation of the sun to produce hot water. A photovoltaic system uses the solar radiation to generate electricity.


Q. Is there enough sunlight in the UK?

A. Generally YES! For solar thermal, the Ritter CPC INOX evacuated tube collector is designed to collect solar energy even under diffused or weak daylight. And, thanks to the vacuum, the collector provides enough energy to heat domestic hot water or to support room heating even in extremely cold winter months. Similarly solar PV technology has advanced greatly over recent years and produces usable electricity all year round.
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Q. Is a solar system economical?

A. The economic efficiency of solar systems is widely calculated by comparing the one-time investment in the solar installation to savings made in the reduced consumption of other energy sources like oil or gas. Rising prices for oil and gas make solar energy more and more attractive from day to day.
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Q. Can hail cause any damage to the collectors?

A. Hail resistance of the solar thermal Ritter CPC INOX evacuated tube collector according to DIN / EN 12975-2 has been approved by TÜV Rheinland. To achieve this certification the collector has had iceballs of a 25mm diameter fired at it at a velocity of almost 83 km/h (about 50 miles/hour). No damage of the collector or the tubes was detected. Additionally all MCS approved solar collectors, both thermal and PV, must past stringent tests. We only use MCS approved products.
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Q. What are the advantages of a solar thermal system?

A. Solar thermal systems provide not only your domestic hot water (DHW), but can also support space heating. if utilising a thermal store and underfloor heating. A solar thermal installation helps you save up to 50% - 70% of conventional fuel you need for the supply of DHW. If your solar system is also designed for space heating support, you can save up to another 20% of the energy needed for room heating.
Apart from the financial advantages, a solar thermal system helps to protect the environment due to reduced CO2 emissions. An average household of 4 people produces about 1.5 tons less CO2 if it runs a solar thermal system, equivalent to the emissions of a car travelling 6000 to 8000 km a year (3700 - 5000 miles). The reduction of other harmful gases like nitrogen oxides is comparable with the filtering by a 1000 sqm forest.

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Q. What is the life expectancy of a collector?

A. The materials in the Ritter CPC INOX evacuated tube collectors are guaranteed by Ritter for 10 years and have a life expectancy of more than 20 years.
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Q. What kind of maintenance does a solar installation require?

A. A solar thermal system does not require a lot of maintenance. Ideally you should have the system checked once a year. The fluid in the system should be changed every 4-5 years. Solar PV installations have minimal maintenance requirements.
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Q. Can I cover my whole demand of DHW (Domestic Hot Water) with a solar thermal system?

A. The average percentage of annual household DHW requirements which can be met by solar energy is about 50%-70%. In summertime it is no problem to cover the whole hot water demand with a reasonably sized solar thermal system. If solar radiation is not sufficient, your DHW is pre-heated by the solar system and, if necessary, topped up by your central-heating boiler.
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Q. Is my house suitable for a solar system?

A. Ideally the solar collectors would be installed in a south facing orientation. However an East-West orientation is also possible resulting in a lower amount of energy produced.

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Q. How can the collectors be mounted?

A. The collectors can be mounted directly on pitched as well as elevated on flat roofs. It is also possible to mount them on facades vertically or ground mounted.

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Q. What kind of fluid runs through a solar thermal system?

A. In a solar thermal system a heat transfer liquid based on glycol (Tyfocor) is used.

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Government Grants

Solar Thermal

The Department of Trade and Industry has funded an initiative called the Low Carbon Building Programme. This scheme entitles homeowners and not for profit organisations to financial help with a solar heating system when installed by an approved MCS installer.

Householders can apply for a grant of £400 regardless of system size. For non-profit organisations the funding can be up to 50% of the installation costs.

Full details and to apply for a grant visit the Low Carbon Building Programme website.

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Solar Photovoltaic (PV)

From 1st April 2010 the UK Government are bringing in a feed-in tariff (FIT) for small scale renewable and low carbon electricity.

The FIT for solar PV will reward electricity generators with £0.413 per kilowatt-hour generated plus £0.03 per kilowatt-hour exported back to the grid. These tariff rates are guaranteed for 25 years.

For example:

A mid-range system of 2kWp will cost in the region of £10,000 to install. This system will produce 1747 kWh per year* resulting in a yearly payment of £720 (from FIT) and a yearly electricity saving of £175 (assuming average electricity charge of £0.10/kWh). Combining these figures will give a payback period of around 10 years at present electricity prices.

Download the full system energy report here.

*Figures calculated using PVSYST v4.36 PV simulation software.

VAT

At the present time the installation of Solar heating and PV systems attract a reduced rate currently set at 5%.


Downloads

    
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
   

Additional Services

  

Loft Insulation
To receive the government grant you are required, amongst other things, to insulate your home with at least 270mm of loft insulation. We as a company can arrange this work at very favourable rates if required.

Thermostatic Control Valves
Due to the high water temperatures that can be realised from the solar array, especially in summer, it is advisable to have thermostatic control valves fitted to some taps. This is quite important if there are young children or elderly folk living in the property. We can carry out this work if required.

Additional Plumbing
If any additional plumbing is required to be undertaken during the Solar installation, this can be arranged.

Maintenance

Solar PV
Solar PV installations require very little maintenance apart from occasional cleaning of the collector surface.

Solar Thermal
It is important that once a year you have your solar thermal system checked by a competent person. It is also important that the fluid in the solar thermal system be changed every 4-5 years. We can arrange a maintenance contract, again at very favourable rates.


Links


The Solar Trade Association:

Ritter Solar:

Schüco:

Segen:

Energy Saving Trust:

Low Carbon Buildings Programme:

NICEIC MCS:

Renewable Energy Centre:








  

 


http://www.solar-trade.org.uk

http://www.rittersolar.de

http://www.schueco.com

http://www.segen.co.uk

http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk

http://www.lowcarbonbuildings.org.uk

http://www.niceic.com

Renewalbe Energy Centre

Testimonials

  

Sue King of Leicester

Having decided to install solar heating into my house I looked at a few companies but found they were very expensive except for a local company that had a very cost effective solution. There was no hard sell and no salesman called.

The installation was straightforward with very little upheaval. The company was very professional and used the latest vacuum tubes. The installation has been up and running for a while now and is working very well. Even though it is winter the system is still supplying hot water.
I am very satisfied and would recommend the company to anyone interested in solar heating.

Case study

 

Mr A. Kim of Newark

Mr Kim provided a letter of recommendation which can be viewed here.

Case study

 


Case Study

  

Case Study 1: Vented hot water cylinder. Flat roof

Sue King's installation was very straightforward with no significant problems.

The first job was to replace the existing hot water cylinder with a vented twin coil unit from Gledhill. This cylinder was much larger at 166L compared to 120L, but installed in the same location as the original cylinder. It was decided to install the collectors on the flat roof of the utility room. This allowed the collectors to be directly over the hot water cylinder. This enabled a very short pipe run, which in turn allowed for very little heat loss through the pipes.

The only cause for concern, since the collectors were to be installed on a flat roof, was to make sure that the pipe run through the roof was watertight. This was achieved with the help of lead flashing, felt and bitumen, which made for a very watertight fitting.

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After

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(Click here to read the reference document)

 


Case Study

  

Case Study 2: Gledhill thermal store linked to three SCHOTT solar collectors

Mr Kim's installation was again fairly straight forward with the only concern being a brand new slate roof.

Mr Kim had already installed a 210 L Gledhill solar thermal store with the only problem that the connections for the solar array were towards the rear of the tank leaving very little room for the associated pipe work. With a little ingenuity we were able to accommodate the fittings.

As SCHOTT recommends three solar collectors for a 210 L cylinder this is what was fitted. Because of the new slate roof we had to be very careful in fitting the collectors as slate tiles are very fragile. In the end we broke three tiles and these were replaced.

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(Click here to read the reference document)