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Feed-in Tariff for Solar PV Remains the same until January 2015

Feed-in Tariff for Solar PV Remains the same until January 2015

All feed-in tariff levels for solar PV will remain the same from 1 October 2014 to 31 December 2014.  

Ofgem confirmed that deployment in all feed-in tariff trigger bands fell short of enacting an automatic degression, meaning that all FiT rates will remain the same until 1 January 2015.

The FiT rates for installations with an eligibility date on or after 1 October 2014 will remain as follows:

Description

FiT rate p/kWh

0-4kW

14.38

>4-10kW

13.03

>10-50kW

12.13

>50-100kW

10.34

>100-150kW

10.34

>150-250kW

9.89

>250kW-5MW

6.38

Stand-alone

6.38

Export tariff

4.77

The automatic degression mechanism means that, even at current low levels of deployment, the >50kW tariff bands will all be reduced by a minimum of 3.5% across the board on 1 January 2015, depending on deployment levels.

Commenting on the new feed-in tariff rates, Paul Barwell chief executive of the Solar Trade Association said: “Whilst many in the industry will be relieved that there are no looming degressions, we really need to see much higher levels of deployment than at present to keep on track for solar’s excellent cost reduction potential. While much of the current focus is on large-scale projects, deployment at small- and mid-scale is every bit as vital for realising the full potential of solar to reduce costs, emissions and energy dependence.

“Frustratingly, within the >50KW to 5MW banding, once you remove standalone, the volume for the last year from July 2013 to June 2014 the rooftop is only 65MW – for a whole year! 

“This is supposed to be the huge growth area as per the government’s PV strategy. But it shows how much of a rocket boost is required to get this very key growth market to actually grow. 

“Whilst DECC seems intent on pulling the rug out from under the RO ground mount sector from April 2015, which had the potential for 2GW plus per year, there is no real platform for growth in the commercial roof top sector without removing some of the main barriers which the STA highlighted last year (as well as in our recent consultation response). Removing commercial EPC D would be a big step forward, along with the aggregation rule change to 100% and many of the other easily identifiable barriers.

“Meanwhile we remain very concerned by the lack of growth in the domestic rooftop sector. The second quarter of 2014 should be a peak quarter for installing on roofs. We have now under deployed every quarter for the last two years, and yet returns remain very good. We intend to work with DECC and our members to understand what needs to be done to boost the market.”

The full solar PV feed-in tariff rates can be found on Ofgem’s site. 

Atlantic Renewables

Atlantic Renewables are a solar PV design and installation company, providing affordable solutions in Manchester, Cheshire and throughout the North West.