Solar ... In the news

Martyn1981

Martyn1981 wrote: »

Blimey, so a 5kWp install for $5,150, or ~£3,200. Holy cow, I didn't think Australia was that far ahead.

News update. A lovely chappie on the Navitron forum has done some research for me, and there is more to the story.

The prices are in Aussie dollars, but after the solar subsidy has been deducted which is 79c. So actual prices would be AUS$1.82/Wp or US$1.44, or UK93p.

Residential Solar PV Price Index: May 2015

Still very promising news, with a 5kWp system at £4,650*, but perhaps not the jaw dropping figure, first thought.

* I wouldn't put it past tunnel to get a quote like that soon!

Mart

KevinG

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-32782324

nigelpm

Interesting point on the full moon. Anyone also experienced this?

EricMears

nigelpm wrote: »

Interesting point on the full moon. Anyone also experienced this?

No ! Apart from an occasional 10kW 'spike' reported by Wattson

[Deleted User]

lstar337 wrote: »

I'm reading.

What happens if you feed your FIT earnings into an ISA as well?

Or top up your pension with tax relief added

KevinG

nigelpm wrote: »

Interesting point on the full moon. Anyone also experienced this?

Sounds like nonsense to me. Light levels when solar PV stops generating are much higher than a full moon.

nigelpm

KevinG wrote: »

Sounds like nonsense to me. Light levels when solar PV stops generating are much higher than a full moon.

I thought the same but have noted a few other posts throughout the web suggesting it. Definitely sounds unlikely though agreed.

Martyn1981

California Is Giving Poor Residents Solar Energy Using Polluting Companies' Dollars

California's fight against global warming is providing green energy to low-income residents -- and polluting companies are footing the bill.

As the San Francisco Chronicle reported, about $14.7 million raised from the Golden State's cap and trade system is going toward an initiative by nonprofit Grid Alternatives to install solar panels on homes in disadvantaged neighborhoods for free. The program reduces energy costs for families that could use the help, while simultaneously lessening their environmental footprints.

Mart.

Martyn1981

Household generation and energy saving materials could lose 5% VAT status:

Domestic solar facing 15% VAT hike following EU ruling

The European Court of Justice (ECJ) has ruled that the UK’s reduction in VAT rate for energy-saving materials for housing violates the EU’s VAT Directive.

Solar PV and thermal installs on residential accommodation in the UK currently benefit from a reduced VAT rate of 5% instead of the standard 20%.

The judgment handed down on Thursday claims that the UK “cannot apply, with respect to all housing, a reduced rate of VAT to the supply and installation of energy-saving materials, since that rate is reserved solely to transactions relating to social housing”.

A government spokesperson told Solar Power Portal: "The government is disappointed the ECJ didn’t agree that the UK had correctly implemented this relief and is now studying the decision before considering next steps." The government has added that no one who has already pre-ordered or pre-paid for energy-saving materials at the reduced VAT rate would be affected as a result of the ruling.

Seems silly to me that we fail to discourage energy consumption by keeping a 5% VAT rate on energy bills, but may have to discourage investment in energy generation / savings.

I think the FiT is currently FAT, as demonstrated by the recent degressions every 3 months. A 15% price hike might mean a slowdown in rollouts, and a longer retention of higher FiT rates.

I believe that State Aids rules allow for government support in renewables, so they could (possibly?) give new PV owners a 15% cashback incentive, or just use the extra VAT to help maintain FiT rates at a higher than necessary level. But this all seems like a circular waste of time and effort.

Mart.

zeupater

Martyn1981 wrote: »

Household generation and energy saving materials could lose 5% VAT status:

Domestic solar facing 15% VAT hike following EU ruling



Seems silly to me that we fail to discourage energy consumption by keeping a 5% VAT rate on energy bills, but may have to discourage investment in energy generation / savings.

I think the FiT is currently FAT, as demonstrated by the recent degressions every 3 months. A 15% price hike might mean a slowdown in rollouts, and a longer retention of higher FiT rates.

I believe that State Aids rules allow for government support in renewables, so they could (possibly?) give new PV owners a 15% cashback incentive, or just use the extra VAT to help maintain FiT rates at a higher than necessary level. But this all seems like a circular waste of time and effort.

Mart.

Hi

Looks like the sticky fingers of energy sector lobbyists are all over this one ... perhaps it would therefore be seen as completely fair if the capital expenditure on generating assets by large corporates were treated the same as if they were consumers - ie, the generator being seen as the end user and therefore being liable for the full rate of VAT (? :rotfl:) ....

Perhaps this is something we should hold David Cameron's feet to the fire on when 'negotiating' with Brussels prior to the proposed referendum .... nice timing Europe, you seem to be doing an excellent job interfering on UK sovereign policy decisions in a way which would obviously encourage millions of households looking to improve their own energy efficiency to vote out ....

HTH
Z