The process takes around 2 weeks from application to install so do not delay.
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Example of an energy efficiency rating graph for homes

What else does the certificate tell you?

The ratings are measured using the same calculations for all homes, so you can compare the energy efficiency of different properties. Part of the EPC is a report which will list the potential rating that your home could achieve, if you made the recommended changes.

The report lists:

• suggested improvements (such as fitting loft insulation)
• the approximate cost
• possible cost savings per year if the improvements are made
• how this would change the energy and carbon emission rating of the property

You can use this information to:

• cut your fuel bills
• improve energy performance in your home
• help cut carbon emissions
• help you choose a more energy efficient home to rent or buy

You do not have to act on the recommendations contained in the recommendation report. However, if you decide to do so, then it could make your property more attractive for sale or rent by making it more energy efficient.

Turn your thermostat down. Reducing your room temperature by 1°C could cut your heating bills by up to 10 percent.

Did you know? If you don’t give notice to your current energy supplier when the renewal letter comes along, you could end up rolling over into a new contract and end up paying over the odds for your electricity, gas and other utilities.

By default, that means your existing supplier could charge you a much higher price without you even noticing until the next invoice arrives.

The UK wants to create a more secure FIT environment.
Flickr/ell brown
In a statement released today, it was said that the new proposals aim to create a scheme for the masses, rather than having FITs for the few. Barker boldly declared, “Our new plans will see almost two and a half times more installations than originally projected by 2015, which is good news for the sustainable growth of the industry.”

The Government says a “huge strain” was placed on the FIT budget after photovoltaic installation costs plummeted by around 45 percent in 2011. According to the Guardian, which interviewed Climate Change Minister, Greg Barker yesterday, the cost for an average residential photovoltaic installation has fallen from £15,000 in 2010, to around £8,000 today. This is forecast to further drop to £6,000 this year, according to research from the consultancy Parsons Brinckerhoff, commissioned by the DECC.

Looking to Germany

In order to ensure there are no more surprises, the DECC is proposing to align FIT levels with cost reductions and industry growth. This will both ensure levels are in line with the market, says  the department, and will build on the “best of the existing German system”, thus removing the need for emergency reviews. The goal is, says the Guardian, to ensure a rate of return is kept steady at around five percent.

Furthermore, DECC says that £460 million will be allowed for new installations over the spending review period, and that budget flexibility will be used to account for the overspending from high photovoltaic uptake. “This won’t have any impact on consumer bills beyond the agreed overall cap on renewable subsidies as it will primarily be funded from an under spend on the budget allocated for large-scale renewables,” explained DECC.

Under the latest proposals, a tariff of 21 pence per kilowatt hour (p/kWh) will also apply from April 1, 2012 for domestic-size photovoltaic panels with an eligibility date on or after March 3, 2012. Other tariff reductions will apply for larger installations. On January 19, in announcing its “Plan B”, DECC said the new rates would range from 21 p/kWh for installations smaller than four kilowatts, down to 8.5 p/kWh for “stand alone” installations.

For those looking to install photovoltaic panels on a property after this April 1, will have to produce an Energy Performance Certificate rating of ‘D’ or above  to qualify for the full FIT. “The previous proposals for a ‘C’ rating or a commitment for all Green Deal measures to be installed was seen as impractical at this stage. We estimate that about half of all properties are already eligible for a ‘D’ rating,” said DECC in a statement released.

The U.K. renewable Energy Agency (REA) says that while this is an improvement, it doesn’t make much sense. CE, Gaynor Hartnell commented, “The government has backtracked  should not use energy efficiency requirements requiring an energy performance certificate of D rather than C.  This will constrain the market less, but even so, it isn’t really a particularly logical thing to do.  It makes perfect sense to do this for renewables for heating, but not when it comes to power generation.”

New “multi-installation” tariff rates set at 80 percent of the standard tariffs will also apply from April 1, for an individual or organization that has more than 25 photovoltaic installations. DECC adds that it is looking into whether or not social housing, community projects and distributed energy schemes should be exempt from this rule.

While the proposals aim to secure certainty from April 1 onwards, DECC says that those who install photovoltaics between December 12, 2011, and March 3, 2012, cannot be given certainty on tariff levels, due to the ongoing legal proceedings between itself and the industry. The department, which has said it will seek permission to appeal to the Supreme Court. It has until February 21 to do so.

Today we are announcing plans to improve the Feed-in Tariffs scheme. Instead of a scheme for the few the new improved scheme will deliver for the many.

Greg Barker, Minister of State

As some of you may have heard the Appeal Court announced their ruling on Wednesday, coming down against the Government. DECC have however as expected announced their intention to seek to appeal to the Supreme Court, a process which could take up to a year to complete. What does this mean?

• DECC have issued a statement making it clear that in their view the lower rates could still apply to installations from the 12th December onwards and consumers should be advised of that.
• DECC are enacting legislation that will enforce their new lower rates as of the3rd March, irrespective of the outcome of the court process.
• DECC have published a briefing document giving full details of their position.
• Nobody can say with any certainty what the outcome of the Supreme Court process will be, but for < 4kWp systems the minimum tariff that consumers installing in this period will receive is 21p. If the Government’s appeal is unsuccessful, or should they decide to withdraw it, consumers will receive 43.3p.
• The numerous press reports, web site postings and industry bulletins that were published on Wednesday stating beyond doubt that the rate is now 43p were clearly premature as nothing actually changed as a result of the Appeal Court ruling, except that the uncertainty was extended and placed in the hands of the Supreme Court.

To Apply for our vacancies please send us your details & copy of your CV to    info@switch-solar.co.uk  or post your details to us, address can be found on our “Contact us” Page.

43.3P tariff looks set to be reinstated untill the 3rd of March.

That leaves only 5 weeks to book your install NOW!!

Orders received before the 10th of February are guaranteed for installation before the proposed cut off date. Only specific amount of slots available and will be issued on a first come first derved basis.

Today DECC lost its appeal against December’s High Court ruling, confirming that the government’s proposed retrospective cuts to the Feed-in-Tariff (FiT) were illegal.

This was widely expected after DECC announced last week that they were introducing emergency “backup” legislation to cut tariff rates for installs from the 3rd March. This legislation was designed to provide a backstop to limit damage should the government lose their appeal.

The government have subsequently announced their attention to appeal again, this time to the Supreme Court. However, given the fact that 2 court cases have already been lost, it is widely held that the chances of them even being granted leave to appeal, let alone winning an appeal, are now astronomically small.

What does this mean for me if I install now?

Assuming the Supreme Court does not overturn the High Court’s decision, we’re back to the phenomenal 43.3p tariff rate – but only for systems installed by 3rd March 2012. This means that all systems installed by this date will receive 43.3p per kWh, tax-free, inflation-linked, for 25 years from installation!

On an average home install this would represent a return of over 17%!

Why can’t I just wait for the Supreme Court appeal?

The government have 28 days in which to launch an appeal, and there is no guarantee that this appeal would then be heard immediately. This makes it very easy for the government to delay a decision (which would almost certainly go against them) to beyond the 3rd March.

If, by some miracle, the government go to the Supreme Court and win, then those who have installed would receive the rate of 21p. This will also be tax-free, inflation-linked, for 25 years from installation.

On an average home install this would still represent a great return of around 10% – better than any bank can provide!

So APPLY NOW to ensure you dont miss this great oppurtunity.

Alternatively call us on 01302 745500 to speak to our experienced representatives.