REI – the leading magazine for the renewables sector since 2008
Renewable
ENERGY INSTALLER
THE BUSINESS OF
CLEAN ENERGY
SOLAR THERMAL SOLAR PV BIOMASS HEAT PUMPS WIND HYDRO
May 2016
Cash down the drain
Green Deal leaves taxpayer £240m out of pocket
Editorial panel members
Is it green for go?
I
n the wind-up to the EU referendum on June 23, it was
interesting to read a recent BPVA report on the likely
consequences of a ‘leave’ vote on the UK renewables industry.
The conclusions paint a mixed picture for the market as
the EU Renewable Energy Directive is the primary driver behind the
Government’s support for the rapid expansion of renewable power
generation so far. Recent policy changes such as scrapping the zero-carbon homes
target show that energy efficiency is not quite on top of the political agenda right now.
However, a Brexit appears unlikely to actually make a difference to UK energy policy
– because the country’s own unilateral Climate Change Act imposes even tougher
requirements for cutting carbon emissions.
The BPVA briefing points out that EU funding is useful for community energy
projects, which also sets good examples of these projects. On the other hand, EU
directives had also caused the community energy sector some problems and there are
some cons from association with the EU, such as complicated EU State Aid rules, which
take a very long time to make, and minimum import prices of solar panels.
One analyst pointed out: “It’s a huge paradox that Brexit could result in a system
where it is easier to develop renewables infrastructure in the UK, but no strong incentive
to make it happen.” The UK’s relationship with product standards development would
almost certainly evolve and could be of significantly reduced influence.
Our commitments in the Climate Change Act and Carbon Budgets originated in the
UK, so we might expect future UK Governments to focus on cost-effectively reducing
emissions, rather than renewables.
The industry faces pros and cons whether the country ultimately decides to leave or
remain – only the future will tell.
Andy Buchan,
CEEC, Future
Renewable Energy
Dave Sowden,
SEA
Garry Broadbent,
Green Thermal
Energy
John Kellett,
Mitsubishi Electric
Paul Joyner,
SBS
Liz McFarlane,
Zenex Solar
Tim Pollard,
Plumb Center
Phyllis Boardman,
Green Deal
Consortia
Robert Burke,
HETAS
Gideon Richards,
MCS
Contents
NEWS
PRODUCTS
04 News
EU reform raises hope for UK solar industry
08 Heat pumps
Taking advantage of energy-efficiency
finance; and choosing the right technology
12 Green Deal
National Audit Office criticises errors made
on Government’s failed flagship scheme
14 The latest green gadgets and innovation
to hit the market
OPINION
10 Expert insight from REI’s contributors
20 Two minutes with... Helen Bentley
Fox, Woodsure
KNOWLEDGE
17 Community energy
Funding for Bristol projects
18 Finance
22 Commercial
24 Case studies
26 Community energy
28 Data
30 My working week
Craig Andrews, Fusion Heat and Power
ISSN 2049-3525
Editor: Stuart Qualtrough
Sales director: Jonathan Hibbert
Circulation manager: Berni Chetham
Published by: Ashley & Dumville Publishing Ltd,
Caledonian House, Tatton Street,
Knutsford, Cheshire WA16 6AG
Advertising
Tel: 01565 626760
Email: [email protected]
Editorial/press releases
Tel: 01565 653283
Email:[email protected]
www.renewableenergyinstaller.co.uk
Sign up for
our digital
newsletter
TODAY
by visiting
Don’t forget to follow us
@REI_digital
Our partner
organisations
www.renewableenergyinstaller.co.uk | 3