DECC Feed-In-Tariff Update : 26 January 2012

APPEAL COURT DENY DECC OVER FITS

After deliberating since January 13, the Court of Appeal has today found against the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) at a hearing for its appeal against the High Court's December ruling on UK solar feed-in tariffs. This means the feed-in tariff could now go back to 43.3p/kWh for <4kW systems installed until March 3, 2012, subject to a further appeal to the Supreme Court.

So, what does this mean for the Solar PV industry and its installers? If Court of Appeal finding stands then:

» Solar installations registered between 12 December- 3 March will attract the 43.3p/kWh rate for 25 years

» Installations registered on or after 3 March will also attract 43.3p/kWh, but only until 1 April at which point they will receive 21 p/kWh for the remainder of the 25 years

» All installations from 1 April until the next reduction date will attract 21 p/kWh for 25 years

The Energy and Climate Secretary, Chris Huhne, intends to appeal against today's decision; he commented:

"The Court of Appeal has upheld the High Court ruling on FiTs albeit on different grounds. We disagree and are seeking permission to appeal to the Supreme Court.
"We have already put before Parliament changes to the regulations that will bring a 21p rate into effect from April for solar PV installations from 3 March to help reduce the pressure on the budget and provide as much certainty as we can for consumers and industry.
"We want to maximise the number of installations that are possible within the available budget rather than use available money to pay a higher tariff to half the number of installations. Solar PV can have strong and vibrant future in UK and we want a lasting FiTs scheme to support that future and jobs in the industry."

Uptake recently rocketed when lower rates were originally announced and it's now expected that we'll see a similar reaction. NAPIT members must be careful not to overpromise rates to their customers at a time when DECC are still taking their appeal to a higher level.

HEADS YOU WIN, TAILS YOU WIN !!!!

BOOK YOUR INSTALLATION NOW OR MISS OUT ON THE POSSIBLE EXTENSION OF THE 43.3P TARIFF!


YOU SIMPLY CAN'T LOSE OUT IN THIS CURRENT SCENARIO... because if the government lose their appeal and they have to keep on paying the 43.3p until March 3rd, two things are going to happen:

1. There is going to be another mad scramble and panic for access to the 43.3p tariff payments during the limited period between now and the 3rd of March

2. Many customers will be disappointed by installers and Suppliers who will be unable to cope with the massive demand just like in November and December last year.


It therefore makes sense to book your installation now as we only have a limited number of slots available between now and March 3rd!


The worst thing that could happen is you get a minimum 8% return on your money based on the 21p payments and lower supply costs, but if you're lucky enough to get the 43.3p combined with lower supply costs you can achieve a return in excess of 15%... so if you don't gamble now and book your installation now you might not even get your installation completed by the 3rd of March cut off date and you'll lose out yet again!

With so much uncertainty this is a unique and real "Heads you win, tails you win" situation.


... So call us now on 0113 815 2142