Energising home owners with Clean Energy Cashback scheme

Nov 30 2009 by Kelley Price, Evening Gazette

GREEN energy installers in the Tees Valley are gearing up for an influx of work next year as home owners take advantage of new energy incentives.

Consultation on the Clean Energy Cashback scheme - which pays home owners twice for generating green energy and selling back to the grid - ended last month.

Under new Government proposals out this month, planning barriers for small scale green energy projects could be significantly lowered or even removed. The move would be a major boost for green energy installers in the Tees Valley.

Newton Aycliffe-based Resolution Power has just installed an eco- friendly ground source heat pump at the Wilson Centre in Long Newton. Built in 1886, the centre is now at the cutting edge of low-carbon technology after securing the most funding to date in the North-east from the Community Sustainable Energy Programme (Big Lottery Fund) and 50% from the Low Carbon Building Programme.

By 2011, the centre will be paid by the Government for producing its own heat under another scheme - the Renewable Heat Initiative.

Wayne Richardson, MD of Revolution Power, said: “We are expecting more work once the incentives come in.

“It’s marvellous - under the renewable heat plans, you effectively get paid for producing your own heat. Once the system is installed, you are paid for doing nothing.

“The average return on investment time is just under ten years, after which you’re making money. And if electricity prices go up, you save even more.

“We already have a good reputation within the industry, and uptake on things like photovoltaic panels is growing because of the money it will make people. It’s a large part of our business now.”

John Rosser, vice-chairman of The Wilson Centre, said: “Wayne and his team have not only carried out a fantastic job on the centre but played an important role in the funding application, without which the centre wouldn’t have been refurbished.

“Everyone in the local community is very grateful and we were very proud to re-open our doors.”

The six month project was managed by Malcolm Cundick of Alpha Plus Architects, with A&B Joinery also playing a major part in the project.

The growing market has helped Revolution Power turn over more than £500,000 since setting up three years ago. One of its biggest jobs to date was for Middlehaven’s Boho One - to install 70 kilowatts of air source heat pump system and 18 solar panels into the Middlesbrough building.

Uptake by individuals is being boosted further by grants of up to £2,500, which are available for certain householders until April next year. Not-for-profit organisations can also access grants of up to 50%.

Although the exact details of the Clean Energy Cashback Scheme - which is due to come into force by April - have yet to be announced, it’s expected that companies and individuals that generate their own electricity using solar or wind will receive cashback in the region of around three times the price of purchased electricity.