Solar ... In the news

penrhyn

The Grauniad, is not just bad it is a treacherous anti British leftist rag.

EricMears

The_Green_Hornet wrote: »

Labour leader Ed Miliband has vowed to freeze bills for 20 years if he wins the next election

And of course King Canute ordered the sea to obey him. On reflection, I'd say Canute's chances were slightly better than (the other) EM's

Cardew

Cardew wrote: »

In your desperation to score points, you really are continuing to make a fool of yourself on this thread.

Add in pathetic attempts to score points - really grown up dialogue.

Thanks from Martyn; you must be so proud. You won't get any thanks from him when you attempt, and fail, score points against zeupater.

spgsc531

Cardew wrote: »

Add in pathetic attempts to score points - really grown up dialogue.

Thanks from Martyn; you must be so proud. You won't get any thanks from him when you attempt, and fail, score points against zeupater.

I'm still busy laughing at you, and what you wrote

doughnutmachine

spgsc531 wrote: »

I'm still busy laughing at you, and what you wrote

Is there a daily MSE sphincter award I've not heard of? You would surely win it if there was.

penrhyn

You mock the sphincter, but the sphincter is a special class of muscle without which the human race could
not survive.

Shelbot.

Martyn1981

As PV production and demand are ramping up fast, Europe is steadily becoming a smaller player (% wise) in the PV market. China, Japan and America are really getting into their stride now.

So I thought I'd post a few articles concerning PV in the US, that people might (or might not) find interesting. Since I believe the US could and should become the main driver of PV, as they have the money, good sun, and high leccy demand.

1. Cost Of Solar Getting Competitive With Wind

http://cleantechnica.com/2013/10/01/cost-solar-getting-competitive-wind/

The cost of large-scale solar projects has fallen by one-third in the last five years and big solar now competes with wind energy in the solar-rich south-west of the United States, according to new research.


2. Study: American middle class embracing solar technology

http://www.pv-magazine.com/news/details/beitrag/study--american-middle-class-embracing-solar-technology-_100013208/#axzz2iZkeCtUA

Middle-class homeowners in leading U.S. solar markets are increasingly adopting solar technology, according to a new study by the Center for American Progress.


3. California net metering report biased, claims solar advocacy group

http://www.pv-tech.org/news/california_net_metering_report_biased_claims_solar_advocacy_group

A report by California’s utility commission that identified a growing financial burden for non-solar consumers in the state was biased from the outset, a solar power advocacy group has claimed.

[Background - not just the US, leccy companies in sun rich areas all over the world, are starting to complain about the impact of PV on their business and market share.]


4. Walmart and Costco top commercial solar users in US, SEIA study finds

http://www.pv-magazine.com/news/details/beitrag/walmart-and-costco-top-commercial-solar-users-in-us--seia-study-finds_100013054/#axzz2hu1y5zab

The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) in the U.S. publishes its latest Solar Means Business report, finding that the country's two largest retailers are committed to solar power.

[Just to pick out some numbers and future potential. Ikea has panels on 89% of their stores and an installed capacity of 35MW. Walmart has panels on 5% of it's stores, but an installed capacity of 89MW.]

Mart.

tunnel

Just had a letter from my FITs provider stating they're changing their t's & c's to include a clause that I must now keep a rolling record of the meter readings provided and the payments I receive for at least one year.

As far as I was aware the t's & c's that was given at the point of contract were legally binding and cannot be added to at a later date(consumer law) so are these revisions legally binding? They don't particularly bother me as I keep full records anyway but some may be a little daunted by the prospect, anyone else had something similar?

tunnel

EricMears

tunnel wrote: »

Just had a letter from my FITs provider stating they're changing their t's & c's to include a clause that I must now keep a rolling record of the meter readings provided and the payments I receive for at least one year.

As far as I was aware the t's & c's that was given at the point of contract were legally binding and cannot be added to at a later date(consumer law) so are these revisions legally binding? They don't particularly bother me as I keep full records anyway but some may be a little daunted by the prospect, anyone else had something similar?

tunnel

Contractual terms can of course be amended with the consent of both parties.

How about writing back 'responding to their request for your permission' and advising that you will be prepared to consider their suggestion in return for an additional annual payment of (whatever you think they can afford) ?

Martyn1981

tunnel wrote: »

Just had a letter from my FITs provider stating they're changing their t's & c's to include a clause that I must now keep a rolling record of the meter readings provided and the payments I receive for at least one year.

As far as I was aware the t's & c's that was given at the point of contract were legally binding and cannot be added to at a later date(consumer law) so are these revisions legally binding? They don't particularly bother me as I keep full records anyway but some may be a little daunted by the prospect, anyone else had something similar?

tunnel

Hiya T, I got the same from EDF at the start of September. I think everyone will be notified eventually as this is a government (DECC) change. This is part of what I got:

4. FIT Payments
4.6 - The Generator acknowledges and agrees that;

(c) details of all FIT payments made to the Generator shall be retained by it for a period of not less than 12 months

5. Meter Readings

5.2 The Generator shall retain all meter readings from or supplied to EDF Energy for a period of not less than 12 months. This includes the Generation meter Readings or Export Meter readings supplied to EDF Energy as part of the request for FIT Payments in respect of the Accredited FIT Installation.

As a mandatory FIT Licensee EDF Energy has been obligated by the Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) to make these changes to your Statement of FIT Terms.

As far as I can see this info is contained within the confirmation/notification of FiT payments each quarter, so I'll just continue to save mine, as before.

Mart.