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Increasing concern is being expressed by UK industry over the cost of reducing large-scale Feed-in Tariffs to the economy. Earlier this month the Government confirmed reduced tariffs for large-scale schemes to protect money for smaller projects, with Energy and Climate Change Minister Greg Barker saying: "Without action, the scheme would be overwhelmed."
But renewable energy development company Oxford Sustainable Group says that while the cuts to the FiTs will save utility companies millions in reduced subsidy payments, based on an expected reduction in solar projects which will now not be funded, it estimates the loss to the overall economy could be around £750 million in inward investment for new green technology. OSG's CEO, Hadley Barrett said: "The sentiment amongst our investors following the policy review is that there are more stable opportunities outside of the UK right now."
Solar industry organisation Solarplaza says that since the introduction of FiTs in April 2010, small-scale domestic PV arrays have accounted for 101.5MW of the 107.5MW total installed UK capacity. It says that the commercial sector "probably needs more awareness and a better understanding of the business case for solar. Unfortunately, the current uncertainty over the future of the FiTs will not help this sector get off the ground."
EVENTS & EDUCATION
 London conference to debate UK's 'solar future'
This month's Solar Future UK conference in London brings together 150 industry experts to analyse the UK PV market. More?
 Energy Event seminars set to tackle industry's key issues
Aiming to be the UK's largest case study-led conference, The Energy Event has lined up top speakers and an exhibition of leading suppliers. More?
MACHINERY & PRODUCTION PROCESSES
 Hybrid motors exceed impending efficiency classification
Hybrid design allows WEG's new WQuattro motors to exceed forthcoming IE4 Super Premium Efficiency classification. More?
 Motor-mounted inverters offer energy saving potential
Lenze's Motec 8400 drive mounts directly onto a motor where it can offer energy savings over conventional DOL motors. More?
BUILDINGS & FACILITIES
 PV energy scheme to encourage uptake of solar power
Renewables firm EOS Energy is offering PV installations without charge to small businesses and local authorities. More?
 Monitor predicts energy savings offered by presence detectors
Steinel's new energy monitor predicts savings an organisation can make by installing presence detectors in a building. More?
VEHICLES & TRANSPORT
 SKF and Volvo to develop energy-saving KERS flywheel for cars
Using kinetic energy technology, SKF and Volvo are developing a flywheel system to deliver major fuel savings. More?
 Project to develop lightweight, fuel-saving vehicle components
Johnson Controls and industry partners are developing lightweight materials to improve vehicle fuel efficiency. More?
ENERGY PROCUREMENT & MANAGEMENT
 Retro-fit energy meters keep data mobile
Carlo Gavazzi's EM21-72R compact energy meter offers a detachable display to mount on either a panel or on a DIN-rail. More?
 Control system links solar and grid for rural refrigeration
National Instruments' LabVIEW has been used to design a refrigeration system powered by a combination of solar and grid power. More?
MICRO-GENERATION
 Chipset detects hazardous DC arc faults in PV systems
National Semiconductor has introduced the first commercially available chipset to detect hazardous DC arc faults in PV systems. More?
FUNDING & FINANCE
 Atlas Copco loan scheme offers zero per cent equipment finance
As a replacement for the withdrawn Carbon Trust zero per cent loans, Atlas Copco has launched its own interest-free finance scheme. More?
LEGISLATION, REGULATION & STANDARDS
 ISO launches new energy management standard
ISO's new International Standard for energy management is expected to impact on about 60 per cent of the world's energy use. More?
David Keighley
Editor
EfficientEnergy.net
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