Objectives of the consultation
This consultation closed on 23rd December 2011. DECC invited comments on the Government's proposals for the tariff levels available for renewable electricity generation from solar PV installations of 250kW or below under the Feed-in Tariffs scheme (FITs). The consultation applies to England, Wales and Scotland only.
Deployment of PV had, in recent months, accelerated rapidly. Combined with falling installed costs (by at least 30%) and a number of other factors including rising electricity prices, this means that returns available to new generators were higher than envisaged. Revised tariffs had been proposed in accordance with developments.
DECC proposed prioritising energy efficiency by linking PV tariffs to specified minimum energy efficiency requirements from 1 April 2012. DECC also proposed new multi-installation tariff rates for aggregated solar PV schemes, applying to new installations with an eligibility date after 1 April 2012.
Supporting papers
To download the consultation document, please follow the link below.
CIBSE response
CIBSE understands the rationale for a reduction in the rate payable under the feed-in tariff, and accepts that such a reduction is in principle necessary. The Institution's concerns relate to the haste with which the tariff reduction has been implemented, in particular the decision to reduce the rate before the consultation on the proposal has closed, but also the unintended consequences for consumer and investor confidence in green incentive schemes and the potential damage to companies in the sector.
To read the full CIBSE response, please follow the link below.
Results of the consultation and next steps
The Government published its reponse to the consultation on 9 February 2012. To download the response, please follow the link below.