Solar 14
The Government has published its response to the Committee on Climate Change’s (CCC) 2020 Progress Report to Parliament, in which it revealed plans for a “comprehensive” Net Zero Strategy in the lead up to COP26. [1]
This standard aims to significantly reduce the energy use of new homes and marks the beginning of the end for the traditional gas boiler.
Current government proposals indicate that from 2025, newly built homes will not be allowed to be heated with the use of fossil fuels under the ‘Future Homes Standard’. This standard aims to significantly reduce the energy use of new homes and marks the beginning of the end for the traditional gas boiler.
MCS have collaborated with the Independent Warranty Association (IWA) and undertaken system development to enable contractors to raise an IBG for their consumer at the point of raising the MCS certificate for an installation.
A survey conducted by MCS has revealed that almost half of their certified contractors believe that the Green Homes Grant should be extended to 18 months or more.
National certification scheme MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme) has published a new update of their Solar PV Standard. The timely new standard comes as strong signs of recovery can be seen after a turbulent 18-months for Solar PV installers.
The following trade associations, techUK, the Solar Trade Association and RenewableUK, have announced a new partnership to promote the transition to a net zero economy.
New Government figures indicate large-scale solar will be lowest cost deploy and maintain over the next two decades.
A new consultation has been launched to establish if the UK has the necessary skills base to deliver a low carbon economy over the coming years.
Following the government’s provision of further detail on the £2 billion Green Homes Grant to improve energy efficiency of homes and stimulate the economy after lockdown, Mark Wilkins, head of training and external affairs at Vaillant, comments;
Homeowners in England will be entitled to vouchers to install the technology under the Green Homes Grants scheme.
The latest government update opening the new Green Homes Grant scheme up to domestic renewable technology installations including Heat Pumps and Solar Thermal, places MCS certified contractors at its core to ensure quality.
The early signs of recovery witnessed in the UK’s domestic renewable energy installation market has positively continued into June as the country continues to emerge from lockdown.
The Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) has called for a review of the limited £100 million funding that government has provisionally made available for its proposed Clean Heat Grant scheme (CHGS).
With a full Budget to follow in the Autumn, Sunak said that the government wanted to deliver an economic stimulus package with “the environment at its heart”.
Brighton Council says that installations of solar panels on 500 households could help residents cut energy bills by up to £150 and reduce CO2 emissions by 300 tonnes every year.
The chief executive of MCS said he could see some early signs of recovery in the UK’s domestic renewable energy installation market as the government’s coronavirus lockdown restrictions begin to lift, but warned investment in a green economy was needed to increase economic and environmental resilience.
It follows the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) launching the ‘Future support for low carbon heat’ consultation, detailing its proposals for support mechanisms following the closure of the non-domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI).
The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) has taken the decision to approve planning permission for Cleve Hill Solar Park, which is set to be the largest solar park ever constructed in the UK.
The Public Attitudes Tracker (PAT) survey looks into public attitudes towards Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) policies including climate change, artificial intelligence, workers’ rights and much more.
The Government is proposing a Clean Heat Grant Scheme (CHGS) that would commence from 2022, offering upfront funding of up to £4000 for each household or business purchasing renewable heating technologies. A tariff-based Green Gas Support Scheme is also being proposed to increase the percentage of biomethane available on the gas grid from anaerobic digestion facilities.
Concerns about cash flow and the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic have topped a survey of renewable energy installers by the MCS certification scheme.
Clear skies and cool temperatures have helped UK solar to break the all-time peak generation record. Around 12:30 on Monday 20 April 2020, a peak of 9.68GW was recorded by Sheffield Solar live PV generation tracker, surpassing the previous record of 9.55GW set on 13 May 2019. At the time of the peak, solar was meeting almost 30% of UK electricity demand.
MCS has launched a one-month consultation on changes to its installation standard for solar PV systems (MIS3002).