Green Home Grant - Solar Thermal - NO RHI

tango1971

Now the scheme is open - had a chance to read through all the terms and conditions - and there is a BIG thing that wasn't mentioned earlier for anyone who was looking to get solar thermal and hoping for a small income from the RHI scheme along the way - you won't get any.  Apparently the amount of the Grant will be deducted from future RHI payments - so in effect you aren't actually getting anything new - other than getting what you would have got anyway through the RHI scheme.  Saying that though - if it means more people making use of solar energy rather than fossil fuels - you'll still be paying less on your heating bills - so still worth getting I would have thought.... 

matelodave

I think if you get a grant towards installing it in the first place then you really are pushing it if you think you'll get RHI as well. IMO you either get a grant or RHI but not both (that's just being greedy)

You didn't or dont get RHI if you got a grant towards installing air source heat pumps - it's in the rules and declaration

[Deleted User]

I am looking at solar thermal as well because of the grant, it would never be worth spending £5000 to save ~£75/year unless the government was paying for it. Shame solar PV is not included in the scheme as it's a much better option.

jbuchanangb

In my last home I spent £3,600 on solar thermal in 2004. I reckon I saved £300 per year up to 2018 when I moved out. As the price of gas kept going up, so the payback time became shorter and shorter. I have looked at the RHI page and it does appear that RHI could be applicable to the amount paid after the Green Homes grant has been deducted. Seriously considering going for this again here. Anyone know whether solar thermal will work with a pressurised hot water system (Heatrae  Sadie)

matelodave

It will work with any tank that's got a separate heating coil - mine pressurised and has one - you need to check your tank to see if it's got two coils - one for the boiler flow and one for solar.
I only spend around £100 a year to heat my hot water so TBH it's not really worth spending out on i solar thermal (even though my tank is fitted with a solar coil)

jbuchanangb

I would need a replacement tank as I did as I did in 2004. It looks as though Heatrae Sadia sell such a tank preconfigured for connection to solar panels. All part of the total cost.
https://www.heatraesadia.com/products/cylinders-and-hot-water/unvented-cylinders/megaflo-eco-solaready