Following the release of the Government’s response to the Feed-in Tariffs (FITs) consultation and the news that it has just launched a consultation on the budget management and environmental sustainability of the non-domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI), Tom Vosper, Head of Climate Consulting, says:

“The Government has clearly listened to feedback, especially in regards to support for the community sector. However it’s clear from its comments that the Government understands there are issues still to be dealt with, primarily the difficulty faced in researching and developing projects due to the associated costs. Removing the requirement for achieving an EPC level D or above will certainly help community organisations to progress worthwhile projects with more certainty.

“Despite the increased level of administration, we also welcome the preliminary accreditation system as it will give confidence to project developers. However as this preliminary accreditation system will mainly benefit larger individual systems, it won’t entirely reverse the slow-down in the PV market because a large amount of the investment in this sector has come in the form of “funds” for multiple installations rather than one-off projects.

“We believe some of the available heat technologies would benefit from a similar preliminary accreditation system, and would like to see one introduced for the non-domestic RHI.”

A new survey carried out by the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) has revealed that renewable energy generation in the UK continues to receive incredibly strong public support as part of a diverse energy generation mix. The survey, which consisted of over 2,000 face-to-face in-home interviews, revealed that the overwhelming majority of Brits (83 percent) supported the implementation of solar, making it the most supported form of renewable energy generation, with offshore wind (76 percent) and wave and tidal (75 percent) distant runners-up.

The public attitude tracker shows extremely strong support for the use of renewables in the UK, with 79 percent expressing their desire for renewable solutions to provide the nation’s electricity, fuel and heat. Only 5 percent opposed the development of renewable generation technologies.

Seven out of ten people surveyed agreed that renewable energy industries and developments provide economic benefits to the UK, a point that the CBI recently outlined in detail. Nearly 80 percent of respondents believed that renewable energy developments provide direct benefit to the communities in which they are located. Impressively, 55 percent of interviewees noted that they would be happy to have a large scale renewable energy development in their area.

Worryingly, the results of the survey reveal that climate change and energy security measures are ‘not top of mind issues’ amongst the British public. Only 2 percent of interviewees indentified climate change as the biggest challenge facing Britain today, with 3 percent expressing concern over energy supply, compared to 45 percent indentifying unemployment as the UK’s biggest challenge.

When challenged directly, 19 percent said that they were concerned about current climate change. Almost 40 percent of people said that climate change was mainly or entirely caused by human activity. Compared to just 15 percent who believe that climate change is mainly or entirely caused by natural processes.

When pressed on the issue of energy security, over half of all respondents raised concerns over steep rises in energy prices. Almost a third of all interviewees believed that the UK is not investing enough in alternative sources of energy, with 40 percent concerned over the UK’s dependence on other countries for energy supplies.

DECC’s ‘Public Attitude Tracker’ survey will run four times a year for issues where public opinion may shift quickly, as well as repeated annually for wider issues. The full report can be read here.

By Peter Bennett

Originally published on Solar Power Portal UK

Late 2011 and the first half of 2012 has seen global investment in renewable energy reach new, unprecedented heights. Solar power has now surpassed wind power as the most popular renewable technology for investment and here in the UK our solar market emerged onto the international photovoltaic (PV) scene thanks to the tried and tested method of Feed-in Tariff (FiT) reduction. Despite being mismanaged by the government, the UK FiT’s have generated the spark required to move commercial solar investment into the realm of reality. This article will take a look at the current state of commercial solar investment in the UK, what kinds of projects are being considered and by whom.

Investment and funding of commercial solar power projects in the UK has never been a more diverse market. Knowing who has the control of this funding, what kind of projects they are interested in and how to produce viable, attractive proposals for the market of private equity and public investment is becoming an increasingly important and lucrative skill.

Here at Solar Selections Commercial we are competent with the understanding and sourcing of highly suitable clients and interested lenders and would be happy to assist anyone with commercial projects in need of funding to move their projects forwards.

Firstly let’s look at how this market has established itself and where it currently stands.

Large Scale Solar Power in the UK

The first standalone MegaWatt (MW) solar power installations in the UK involved forward thinking blue chip utilities such as Thames Water, major renewable energy manufacturers such as Canadian Solar and offshore equity investment groups like Isolux Corsan. The risk assessments and returns were scrupulously appraised by all involved and this is testament to their eventual success. This has in turn opened up the market for other projects to get off the ground.

What we are seeing now and through 2012 has been more farmers, private conglomerates, property owners and investors becoming involved in the MW scale of solar PV investment. Of importance to all of this local councils, energy utilities and infrastructure services have also adapted their once somewhat prohibitive policies to make solar a more straightforward investment opportunity. Renewable Obligation Certificates (ROC’s) are present and despite an upcoming review in early 2013, are providing some stability on Return On Investment (ROI) figures.

Establishing Viability

As with all investment some opportunities are more attractive than others. We can separate ground and roof mounted solar power systems because the criteria differ slightly for each. It is important to note that whether the funding be private equity based or public, these factors hold equal importance.

Ground Mounted Solar Installation

The more of these considerations a potential site adheres to positively, the better chance that investors are going to be interested and the better returns are going to be involved. Note that this is not a comprehensive list, but a starting point.

• The history of the land – especially including previous production capacity such as for agriculture or industry.
• The size and location of the land.
• Presence of rocks/debris.
• Proximity of the area from major roads, communal areas and foot traffic.
• Proximity of the land from protected regions of natural beauty.
• Status of the land as ‘Derelict’.
• The rating and age of the connection to the grid – energy capacity and phases present are of special interest.
• Proximity to a suitably sized energy substation.
• Potential of a potential Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) client.
• Energy usage on site.

How does one know whether the energy usage or substation status of any one potential site is considered positive or not? Best to consult a professional such as Solar Selections; in short, it differs.

Roof Mounted Solar Installation

Roof mounts are similar in most respects. Factors that can affect viability include:

• The roof space available for panel installation.
• Location of the site.
• Orientation and pitch of the roof.
• Visibility of proposed panel location to highways and major thoroughfares.
• The number of energy meters on-site (triple phased especially).
• The status of the site as protected or heritage listed.
• The rating and age of the connection to the grid.
• The proximity to a power station or substation.
• Presence of a potential PPA client.
• Energy usage on site.

Types and Sources of Investment

Sites that can tick the boxes on the above considerations are in amazing demand at present. Private equity sources running through brokerages or consultancy firms are especially interested in outright purchases of such leads. Depending on the company rates for commissions to purchase the entire opportunity, finance the required capital or pay as a rental amount differ. For a better idea on what is available for your potential site, contact Solar Selections on 0844 567 9835.

Depending upon the clients profile and security there are many ways funding can be found. Let’s start at the top and work our way down through the various parties and possibilities involved.

‘Low Risk’

Client: For a freeholder or client to be considered low risk, they would need to be substantial, well established and profitable businesses. We are talking about organisations from HM Government to Tesco’s and British Gas to McDonald’s. To give an idea, Tesco’s had a turnover of £62.5 billion in 2010.

Fund: Large, international asset finance groups and commercial fund managers not specifically interested in renewable energy technologies. They would provide excellent rates of interest and usually no upper limit on funding available with a minimum spend of £150,000 being the norm.

An example of this would be Commercial Asset Finance Group Australease (CAFGA) who have an Operational Lease Funding arrangement openly available in the UK. The client needs to be suitable as outlined above and also the freeholder of the site. As well as this they would need to consume the majority of energy from a proposed PV installation on-site. For more details, contact Solar Selections on 0844 567 9835 or go to www.solarselections.co.uk/commercial/commercial-solar-finance-package

Approach: A plethora of options from competitive out and out finance provision to tax-break inclusive operational lease arrangements and roof/site rental agreements with eventual transfer of ownership.

‘Medium Risk’

Client: Established business with healthy balance sheets and turnover in the general range of £1,000,000 to £50,000,000 or public sector clients such as councils. Turnover could differ significantly for private clients on this scale, and comprehensive vetting process would take place to verify assets and suitability.

Fund: Far more open than low risk opportunities, the specifics of site viability come into play more than before. These firms will usually possess some kind of interest in renewable energy above more mainstream investment markets like shares or bonds. Incredibly suitable sites owned by businesses with relatively weak security assurances would still be considered and possible. It’s as much about who you know as what you know in the finance market so best to consult with a professional for further advice.

Approach: More likely to involve partial generation benefit for the client with a view towards eventual ownership after a fixed term or perhaps a site rental arrangement. Usually the tariffs and earnings would be allocated towards the fund temporarily. Still a very attractive prospect for the client considering the lack of Cap Ex required.

‘High Risk’

Client: A renewable energy enthusiast with some land or property looking to how they could generate income from an installation. Generally this would be anyone from a farmer, freeholder of land to estate managers and smaller scale building developers that cannot provide large private or business turnovers or security assets. Realistically capital outlays over £20,000 are beyond this kind of client depending on site characteristics of course.

Fund: Generally smaller, less prohibitive and capital heavy private equity lenders specifically interested in renewable energy. They can also take the form of PV installation companies and their direct partners.

Approach: The Rent-A-Roof scheme is an example of this at a domestic level, as is the more recent cash-flow positive domestic finance. Essentially the client would receive the installation for no or nominal cost but receive limited benefits for the first 10 years or so.

Summary

It’s a complex and often fruitless task marrying up sites, clients and funding in the one project. Each party has it’s own variables and opinions on how best to go about installing a MW or large scale commercial PV installations. On top of this, solar installers differ massively in their capacity to provide experienced, timely and professional installation services. The success or failure of a project can come down to the meeting of deadlines and information provisions  as well as the ability of a fund or installer to provide their services as proposed, so vetting is of incredible importance within a potential project.

Solar Selections work with some of the most prominent, experienced utility and large scale solar installers in the world. We also have a network of funding partners such as the aforementioned CAFGA with which we can provide funding solutions for installers with their own clients or direct to clients looking for a complete management service. For specific assistance or advice on commercial solar project viability, funding or installation contact Solar Selections 0844 567 9835 and one of our commercial team will get in touch with you today.

Written by Jarrah Harburn

jarrah@solarselections.co.uk

0844 567 9835

© 2012 Solar Selections Ltd

When connecting a solar power system to the grid, the application process involves submission of a form to the relevant Distribution Network Operator (DNO). Which form and when are two important matters covered in this article.

Read the full article here

Registering Solar Generators with the DNO

Depending on who you ask these days, different sized systems require different application forms be sent to the DNO. The general expectation is that the larger a system, the more preemptive information is required to be transferred. Let’s look at the two main forms that will affect systems of 4kWp and smaller.

Small Scale Generator and the G83

Systems deemed to be under 16 amps per phase are considered ‘small scale’. They can be installed straight away and registered by submitting a G83 form to the DNO following the installation. EON has a copy of their G83 form here for download.

In order to establish if your generator is under 16 amps per phase, it is best to consult with your solar installer. The correctly trained electrical staff they have on hand will be able to assist. As a rule of thumb, systems under 3.6kWp will be under the 16 amps limit the vast majority of the time. However, seeing as the feed-in tariff changes after 4kWp this presents a grey area for installations between 3.6kWp and 4kWp.

Large Generation and the G59

For generators over 16 amps per phase it is a legal requirement for the DNO to be consulted prior to an installation taking place. In addition, a G59 form (download here) is required to be submitted. The process of a DNO reviewing and returning a successful G59 can take up to 8 weeks.

Obviously the important aspect of this process is establishing the amp levels of the proposed solar power installation with the installer’s electrician. The tilt, orientation and location of a solar generator can affect the amps, so it is vital that anyone installing systems from 3.6kWp upwards establishes the correct process for registering their system. This is especially the case with the deadlines of April 1st and July 1st 2012.

Written by Jarrah Harburn