What is the future for Green Energy?

gazza — Sun, 21 Jun 2015 23:00:00 +0000

gazza Mon, 22/06/2015

British people are excited about renewable energy - so why is there so much hesitation from the Government?
With 48 per cent of British people willing to pay more towards investment in renewable energy and tackling climate change and solar PV generating enough energy last year to power over a million typical households in the South of England, the renewables industry has enjoyed strong growth recently, with consumer interest growing.
To maintain this, NAPIT are pushing for continued stable Government support through the Feed in Tariff (FiT). This would enable the domestic market for solar PV to continue on the trajectory to cost-neutral and no longer need Government support, providing a stable future for Solar PV installers.
To ensure this happens the Government must leave the FiT scheme untouched; allowing the continuation of stable growth whilst managing costs through effective degression. Through recently published campaign infographics, NAPIT have effectively summarised the FiT policy and set out potential risks and proposals to mitigate these.
Governmental support to date
The renewable heat market is also receiving a boost through Government policies such as the domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) and a £3 million fund announced earlier this year to aid low carbon heating [3]. With nearly 2,000 installers registered to install renewable heat technologies and over 9,000 installed over the course of a year this market has generated significant interest.
However, as it stands, the RHI budget is only ring-fenced until March 2016 with no promise of funding beyond this. NAPIT are calling for the Government to announce their intention to continue the domestic RHI as soon as possible to ensure installers have long-term certainty and incentive reason to invest in upskilling.
Other changes to the domestic RHI would also create a more stable environment and increase interest in renewable heating such as: introducing third party finance to encourage new sources of investment, re-aligning tariffs to ensure the scheme is technology agnostic and targeting conventional heating installers with diverse training offerings could broaden the supply chain.
Word from NAPIT
David Cowburn, Managing Director of NAPIT Certification, said: “We mustn’t let the positivity seen in the renewables industry go to waste. If an announcement is made confirming the ambition of the Government to continue funding the domestic RHI and the FiT remains in place then there is no reason this growing market can’t become a strong contributor to meeting the UK’s legally binding target of 15% renewable energy by 2020. Installers have the opportunity to position and differentiate themselves as industry leaders if they get trained and certified to install these technologies now.”
Drawing on feedback from members, NAPIT have provided campaign infographics to call for changes to be made to help grow this industry and give new MPs and influential organisations in the sector a unique insight into the way big policy decisions affect the lives of hardworking installers across the country.

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NAPIT Launches Campaign for a better Electrical Industry

gazza — Sun, 31 May 2015 23:00:00 +0000

NAPIT Launches Campaign for a better Electrical Industry

gazza Mon, 01/06/2015

NAPIT have launched a series of Infographics which seek to address some of the more pressing issues faced by NAPIT members and the wider electrical industry. The infographics have been based on survey responses received from the NAPIT Trade Association.
The results do not show anything surprising, however NAPIT aims to use the information to present to new MP's and other influential organisations in the building services sector a unique insight into the way policy changes affect the lives of tradespeople up and down the country.
What issues are represented
Electricians and anyone who works within the electrical industry will not be surprised to learn that campaign topics include:
Electrical safety in the private rented sector
Building Services Enforcement (Part P)
Service cut out fuse removal for safe working
Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) and Feed in Tariff (FiT)
Green Deal and Energy Company Obligation (ECO)
Commenting on the infographics, NAPIT Trade Association Chairman Frank Bertie said: “From proposing a nationwide solution that would allow registered electricians to safely remove service cut-out fuses to offering new policy ideas to stabilize the Green Deal supply chain, NAPIT is committed to tackling the key issues that directly affect the working lives of our members, head on.”
“Together we are stronger, and we are using that strength to make a positive impact on safety, stability and job creation. We’re taking a stand to push the priorities of the trades we represent higher up the political agenda by echoing the voice of our members on a national level.”
Main findings
90% of NAPIT Trade Association members support the idea of mandatory electrical safety checks every 5 years or more frequently for homes in the private rented sector.
One third of registered electricians spend around a quarter of their working time putting right botched DIY.
87% of survey respondents have come across a cut-out fuse which has not been sealed correctly.
The FiT scheme and degression mechanism should remain in place and unchanged to allow for the continued stability, confidence and predictability of this market.
Continuity, stability, consistency and clear long term commitments are key to the success of the Green Deal policy.
What NAPIT are hoping to achieve
The NAPIT campaigns team will be presenting these pioneering proposals to key ministers over the coming months. This will be pushing right to the heart of the matter and presenting the information in front of the very people who make policy changes.
By presenting them with information from tradespeople who work within the industry in accordance with policy, key decision makers will see the real time effects their policies have and see areas already identified as being of major concern.
The format of the infographics allow for the proposition of simple solutions that practically align with the current economic and political climate.

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