Feed In Tariffs
By becoming a Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) Accredited Installer with the support of Easy MCS you are Certified to offer consumers the Feed In Tariffs as long as MCS Accredited renewable technologies are used.
Feed-In Tariffs (also known as FITs) are the electricity part of what some people call Clean Energy Cashback, a scheme that pays people for creating their own "green electricity". The Feed In Tariffs have been hugely successful since their introduction with more than 100,000 households having taken advantage.
The Feed in Tariffs were introduced by the Government to help increase the level of renewable energy in the UK towards our legally binding target of 15% of total energy from renewables by 2020 (up from under 2% in 2009).
How do the Feed-In Tariffs help?
The Feed in Tariffs give three financial benefits:
- A payment for all the electricity you produce, even if you use it yourself
- Additional bonus payments for electricity you export into the grid
- A reduction on your standard electricity bill, from using energy you produce yourself
Who are the Feed in Tariffs for?
The FITs are for everyone, including households, landlords, businesses and even organisations such as schools and care homes. There are however different tariffs dependant on the size of the system with the focus of funding being on smaller installations.
What renewable energy systems are eligible?
A number of forms of MCS Certified renewable electricity generation in all sizes up to 5 megawatts (enough for a large factory), which are supported by the Renewables Obligation are eligible for the Feed in Tariffs, including;
- Wind
- Solar Photovoltaics (PV)
- Hydro
- Anaerobic Digestion
- Domestic scale Micro CHP (with a capacity of 2kW or less) – a domestic scale microCHP pilot will support up to 30,000 installations, with a review to start when the 12,000th installation is completed
Do the Feed in Tariffs cover heating?
No; that will be covered by the Renewable Heat Incentive which also requires that installers and products have MCS Accreditation.
What are the EPC requirements on the Feed in Tariffs?
From April 1st 2012, in order to be eligible for the full Feed in Tariff a property must have an EPC rating of Band D or above. Anything less than a Band D will not be eligible for the full Feed in Tariff. The EPC certificate must be sent in with the Feed in Tariff application and the EPC can be assessed once the Solar PV and any other measures have been fitted. This means that some properties may move into a Band D through the installation of the Solar PV system. However, an EPC would have to be performed following the installation and then accompany the Feed in Tariff application.
Can you access the Feed in Tariffs under the Green Deal?
Installations completed under the Green Deal can be eligible for the Feed in Tariffs, please visit Easy Green Deal to find out more.
How much is currently available through the Feed In Tariffs?
For further details or advice on achieving MCS Accreditation which will allow you to offer your customers the Feed in Tariffs, please call our MCS advice team on 0800 882 4308 or email us.
