Aide Memoire : Funding for Micro Energy.
1. General.
1.1 Micro-generation is a technology that can generate heat or electricity
from a renewable source whose capacity is less than 50kW of electricity
(photovoltaic, water and wind turbines system only) and 45kW of heat
(all other systems).
1.2 To obtain the overall funding connections it is as well to start
at national level. Since 2006 the DTI's Clear Skies and Solar PV programmes
has been replaced by BERR's Low Carbon Buildings Programme. Very clear
advice through: www.lowcarbonbuildings.org.uk
. Or you can call the local Energy Efficiency Advice Centre on 0800512012
1.3. We can anticipate more schemes to be announced from April onwards
as the Environmental Transformation Fund will have funds of £370m
for the following 3 years.
1.4. You will quickly learn that there are usually two streams of funding
support; one for householders and the other for communities and businesses.
Try the Energy Saving Trust :
householders: www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/cafe/funding/funding/
or tel the helpline of Community Action for Energy 08701261444
1.5. You can also visit the web of the SW Renewable Energy called RegenSW:
www.regensw.co.uk
1.6. And you should also check with your local District Authority as
well as the National Park Authority as to what funding support they
might have.
1.7. If you are searching for grants from other funds our recommended
advice is to try Community Action for Energy. The CAfE database has
61 list of prospective donors for the South West see www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/cafe/funding.
In most cases please be aware that grants are not usually retrospective
2. Businesses
2.1 Contact Envision, a support organisation offering business cost
saving support in the South West www.envision.org.uk
2.2 If you're in Devon contact the Renewable Energy for Devon (RE4D)
for an independent energy assessment and support funds for renewable
energy technologies
3.Communities
3.1 The Exmoor National Park Management Plan sets out the targets for
6 Exmoor Settlements to implement sustainable energy plans and install
50 wood fuel heating systems in the next two years. Applications to
the Exmoor Sustainable Development Fund are in process to support the
delivery of these targets.
3.2 Villages, schools and organisations in West Somerset are invited
to contact www.carbonreinvest.com
to learn how set up a fund for their projects.
3.3 Consider setting up an Energy Services Company (ESCo) to operate
either or both electricity and heat via private wire or other connections.
3.4 Please note that the grants from Phase 2 of the Low Carbon Building
Programme for installing approved micro generation technologies have
some constraints:
* Some must be supplied and installed by 'Framework Suppliers'
* You can apply for up to 50% of total cost.
3.5 There is also a new scheme – the Community Sustainable Energy
Programme offering up to £50,000 or 50% whichever is smaller for
capital costs of installing energy efficiency measures along with micro-
generation installation. See www.communitysustainable.org.uk
. Note that applications for this fund are competitive and judged quarterly.
We have been informed that applicants can be accepted for this and the
one in para 3.4
Judi Boxell Funding Officer from the Somerset Voluntary Sector network is able to help community groups in West Somerset with funding advice contact jodi@svsn.org.uk.
4.Householders
4.1 Under Phase 1 of the Low Carbon Buildings programme householders
can obtain a grant of up to £2500 per property towards the installation
of a certified micro generation system
4.2 Check with Local Councils for support funding.
4.3 Energy suppliers are obliged to help achieve targets for improving
home energy efficiency regardless of the company supplying electricity
to the home.
4.4 Take care over who pays for the meter system... some companies pay
but others do not.
Although there is political pressure to produce a national tariff for
bought in electricity you should ensure that you get the best price
for your exported energy. Prices vary and it depends on whether the
quotation includes the Renewable Obligation Certificate payment.
5. Some tips and limitations
5.1. As a guide - for photo voltaic you will need about 8sqm per Kw
(Panels are circa 1mx1.2m). Each Kw installed generates and average
of 800KwH pa. For a framework approved company installation, say on
a church, producing 3.2kWp ie 2754kWhpa and CO2savings of 1184kgpa would
cost circa £17,500 of which a grant of 50% may be obtained. Electricity
bought from suppliers varies but charges of up to 16p per unit (kW)
have been recently noted, it is well worthwhile checking on the cheapest
supplier for you and there are a number of organisations who can quote
but Energywatch has accredited SimplySwitch who can change supplier
for you over the Freephone 08000111065. Similarly prices paid for exported
electricity also vary up to a recently obtained quote for 18p per unit.
It seems reasonable to assume that bought and sold prices will follow
a similar escalation ratio.
5.2. Non framework suppliers will usually quote a lesser installation
price and recently for an installation delivering the same output as
in 5.1 a quotation of £13,600 was made. However the grant here
is only a maximum of £2500 so that the end cost is £11,100.
5.3. With all systems the distance from point of generation to point
of use and metering will affect efficiency of system.
5.4 There are currently 6 energy suppliers who purchase exported electricity:
Good Energy, Green Energy, EDF Energy, N Power, Powergen/EON and Southern
Electricity. Some companies, especially if the export levels are low,
prefer offering a flat payment based on assessed output and usage.
5.5 Solar heating panels are effective in producing energy although
the efficiency depends on the amount of sunlight. Check whether your
hot water tank could take solar power additional to other hot water
supplies.
5.6 The British Wind Energy Association has just launched a new Small
Wind Turbine performance and Safety Standard see www.bwea.com
5.7. To check the approval rating of suppliers of micro-generation systems
please check www.greenbooklive.com
The Exmoor Trust is a Registered Charity and a Company limited by Guarantee.
This local charity is focused on helping throughout the area of Greater
Exmoor (roughly 10 miles beyond the perimeter of the National Park).
Since 1999 we have sought to help:
Conserve and enhance for the public benefit the area of Greater Exmoor
Educate the public to appreciate and respect all aspects of its historical,
physical and cultural environment
To further such charitable purposes for the benefit of Exmoor as the
Trustees determine.
If you would like to know more about the work of the Exmoor Trust, make a donation or become a member or volunteer please get in touch. It would be helpful if you could let us have your name, address with postcode, tel no and email address. Please send this to Exmoor Trust, Codecombe House, Cutcombe, Minehead, TA24 7AJ or email : info@exmoortrust.org.uk
Disclaimer
This guide has been produced by the Exmoor Trust to help guide interested people to find advice and details of funding available for micro-energy production. Not every source of potential funding has been covered and we would welcome comments and further inputs/sources. The funding picture is time limited and constantly changing so that this advice is only current up to the time of production.
20 April 2008
