1. Solar Energy/ Energy Saving Getting the best out of FITs / RHI Save Money? and the Planet? Is it as simple as that? - what are the catches? 1 Reach Within to Embrace Humanity Keith Tovey ( ) United Reformed Church and Rotary District 1080 22 nd October 2011 Presentation will be placed on WEB tomorrow at: http:/www2.env.uea.ac.uk/cred/creduea.htm

2. 2 Summary of Session Presentation of key issues ~ 30 minutes Questions and Answers Examination of actual examples for solar energy Several people has sent in information of their actual properties and these will be used as potential assessments Computers available for exploring options Final Discussion / Question and Answer Session

3. 3 Summary of Presentation Background to issues facing energy supply in UK Renewable Energy Options available to Householder/Community Background to the financial incentives for local energy generation Background to the Solar Technologies An example of solar thermal and solar PV The subject is so wide ranging – so please as questions as we go along if there are things you do not understand

4. Potentials for Saving Money and the Planet In next 10 years there is a need to address the issues of Energy Security and Carbon Reduction of Energy Supply. In Energy Efficiency In Energy Management In Electricity Production Move from high carbon fuels: coal, oil, gas to Nuclear Renewables Carbon Capture and Sequestration 4 Reduction in Energy Use Will not be available on scale required until 2025 at the earliest. An important component to consider now because of inaction on renewables and conservation in past - but not until 2019 at earliest Available now but financial support needed for small scale and emerging technologies. STOP PRESS! 19 th October 2011 Plans for the UK's first carbon capture project at the Longannet power station in Fife costing £1bn have been scrapped, the energy secretary has confirmed. 19 October 2011 Last updated at 16:35 Longannet carbon capture scheme scrapped

5. 5 Import Gap Energy Security is a potentially critical issue for the UK On 7 th /8 th December 2010: UK Production was only 39%: 12% from storage and 49% from imports Prices have become much more volatile since UK is no longer self sufficient in gas. The prognosis for future energy prices is not good Gas Production and Demand in UK UK becomes net importer of gas Completion of Langeled Gas Line to Norway Oil reaches $140 a barrel

6. Existing Nuclear Existing Coal Oil UK Gas Imported Gas New Nuclear 1 new nuclear station completed each year after 2020. 1 new coal station fitted with CCS each year after 2020 1 million homes fitted with PV each year from 2020 - 40% of homes fitted by 2030 19 GW of onshore wind by 2030 cf 4 GW now Data for modelling derived from DECC & Climate Change Committee (2011) - allowing for significant deployment of electric vehicles and heat pumps by 2030. Our looming over-dependence on gas for electricity generation 6

7. 7 Options available for the Householder Energy Generation Solar thermal - providing hot water - most suitable for domestic installations, hotels – generally lees suitable for other businesses Solar PV – providing electricity - suitable for all sizes of installation Example 2 panel ( 2.6 sqm ) in Norwich – generates 826kWh/year (average over 7 years). The more hot water you use the more solar heat you get! Renewable Heat Incentive available from 2012 Area required for 1 kW peak varies from ~ 5.5 to 8.5 sqm depending on technology and manufacturer Approximate annual estimate of generation = installed capacity * 8760 * 0.095 hours in year load/capacity factor of 9.5%

8. 8 Options available for the Householder Energy Generation Micro Wind - roof mounted turbines Mini Wind - mast mounted turbines – can be good as long as well clear of buildings, trees, etc – can be a good option for farms Building Mounted - ~ 1kW machines ~ generally poor performance because of turbulence except in a few locations Not generally recommended Mast mounted away from buildings - 6kW Potential output 6000 – 10000 kWh depending on location Vertical Axis machine – better in turbulence

9. 9 Options available for the Householder Energy Generation Onshore Wind - sensible for community schemes – e.g. Orkney, Germany, Denmark etc – the cheapest form of renewable energy Biomass boilers - can be sensible but need a reliable fuel supply. In cost terms with the proposed Renewable Heat Incentive there are attractions for homes heated by oil or electricity but not, at present, mains gas. Most convenient if running on pellets Cheaper with wood chip but more difficult to automate

10. 10 Options available for the Householder Energy Generation Other schemes - mini hydro – site specific - anaerobic digestion – suitable for large installation - gasification/pyrolysis – very large installations Micro-Hydro (Itteringham Mill, Norfolk) 5.5kW annual output depends on flow 12000 – 18000kWh Advanced Biomass CHP using Gasification at UEA

11. 11 Options available for the Householder Energy Saving Technologies Ground Source Heat Pumps: ideal for new building dwellings or new community buildings – schools/community centre. Best if used with under floor heating (hence best with new build) Can be retrofitted using existing radiators – but performance will be lower. More attractive financially for retrofitting if existing heating is oil, bottled gas or electricity. Need a ground area approximately twice area of building to be heated or use more expensive vertical boreholes Air Source Heat Pumps Less efficient than ground source heat pumps Less use can be made of off peak electricity unless there is a sizable thermal store Micro Combined Heat and Power (CHP) generating both electricity and heat ??? Fit double radiators or ones with fins

12. 12 Ground Source: Heat Pumps Typically twice floor area of house is required for heat collection. Best performance with under floor heating – i.e difference between heat supply and source temperature is as low as possible Zones of house can be controlled via a manifold Options available for the Householder – Heat Pumps

13. 13 Heat pumps run off electricity For a well designed ground source heat pump system: Typically 3.5 – 4.5 as much heat is produced as electricity consumed – the Coefficient of Performance (COP). If a buffer tank is included in system, then off peak electricity can be used to heat store overnight – minimising use of full rate electricity. Air source heat pumps require external fan system, and are not as efficient as air temperature is low when most heat is needed. Retro fitting with existing radiators will lead to poor COP, but could be improved by fitting double radiators and/or a buffer tank Options available for the Householder – Heat Pumps

14. 14 Micro CHP Replaces normal boiler Provides heat and electricity – would normally run on gas Currently there are incentives under the Feed In Tariff. Options available for the Householder – CHP To be eligible to claim for any Incentive the installation must be installed by a registered MCS installer. Certificate of installation must be presented at time of registration. All Installations must be MCS Accredited

15. Non Fossil Fuel Obligation (NFF0) - 5 separate tranches in 1990s. Was a Feed in Tariff, but failed to deliver largely because of planning issues. Only suitable for large generators. Renewable Obligation (RO) - from 1 st April 2002. Sets targets which all suppliers had to meet – otherwise they were fined for non- compliance (Buy Out). The fines were recycled to those bodies who held certificates (ROCs) of Renewable Generation. Currently worth around £0.3 billion. These Buy-out Fines are inflating unit price of electricity by around 0.1p or 0.5-1.0%. Used by both large scale and small scale generators From 1 st April 2010 all small generators < 50kW were transferred to the Feed In Tariff (FIT) Scheme as were all new small schemes. Medium sized schemes can opt to be in FIT or RO scheme. Large schemes can only be in RO. 15 Renewable Energy Incentives in UK - Electricity

16. 16 Renewable Obligation Certificates The Regulator OFGEM SUPPLIERS Trader and Brokers Renewable Generator Notifies Regulator how much generated. Sells ROCs to Trader Sells Electricity with or without ROCs Notifies OFGEM of compliance -i.e. ROCs or pays FINE Supplier Buys ROCs from Trader ROCs issued FINES recycled to holders of ROCs in proportion to number of ROCs held. Because of recycling, ROCs have value greater than their nominal face value Notifies Regulator how much generated.

17. Wholesale Price Jan 2011 4.950p cf Jan 2010 4.521p 17 Incentives under the Renewable Obligation Several benefits to generator (e.g. wind) Whole sale price of Electricity Value of the Renewable obligation Certificate Mark up price arising from Buy- Out Fines Other small benefits BUT if target is met – ROC certificates become worthless Overall value might be up to 10p but could be much less At highest level of incentive – i.e. actual current value of ROC ~ 5.0p cost for reducing 1 tonne of CO 2 ~ £95 per tonne ROC Certificate 3.996p Recycled Fines 1.0 – 1.5p Prices per kWh

18. The Renewable Obligation encounters risk and much paperwork for small potential generator Led to Introduction of Feed in Tariff from 1 st April 2010. A fixed amount is paid per unit and guaranteed for up to 25 years. BUT General Capital Grants no longer available Payment is for electricity generated whether it is actually exported to grid on consumed on premises. A frequently asked Question Will I have electricity when there is a power cut – assuming of course the sun is shining (if I have solar) or the wind is blowing (if I have a wind turbine)? NO!! – unless you have facilities for both Island Mode Operation and Grid Connection which can be very expensive for the small generator. 18 Feed in Tariff

19. 19 Renewable Energy Incentives in UK - Heat Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) – Worlds First was due to start on 1 st October 2011 for non domestic properties – but has been delayed because of a technicality over large scale biomass. Domestic RHI will be available from October 2012 and valid for all installations commissioned after 15 th July 2009. Will include: Solar Thermal; Biomass Ground Source Heat Pumps Air Source Heat Pumps – probably This incentive will pay for any heat generated in similar manner to Feed In Tariff for Electricity All Houses: Voucher valid for 3 months Houses not heated by gas from Gas Grid: Vouchers valid for 6 months £300 – solar thermal voucher£950 biomass boiler voucher £850 air source heat pump valid for 6 months £1250 ground or water source heat pump voucher Because of delay in implementation. Temporary Grants for Domestic Installations – implementation 01/10/12

20. Payments currently range from 4.7p per kWh to 43.3p per kWh GENERATED depending on technology and capacity of generator. –e.g. for small scale retro-fitted solar, the payment would be 43.3p for kWh generator and guaranteed for 25 years, but new entrants from 1 st April 2012 will get 37.8p An additional 3.1p per kWh is paid for any electricity surplus to demand which is exported. These prices are index linked to CPI and TAX FREE This amounts to a renewable incentive of ~39p per kWh and £742 per tonne of CO 2 ( assuming a wholesale price of ~ 5p) Nearly 8 times the subsidy for wind generation under the ROC scheme 20 Feed in Tariff

21. 21 Energy Source Scale Installation date EXISTING ONES CONTINUE Duration (years) 01/04/10 – 31/03/12 Post Aug 1 st 2011 > 01/04/2012 Payments To 31/03/11 From 01/04/11 Ofgem – Aug 2011 Reduced tariffs in later years Solar PV4 kW new36.137.834.625 Solar PV4 kW retrofit41.343.339.625 Solar PV>4-10kW36.137.834.625 Solar PV>10 - 50kW31.432.930.125 Solar PV>50-150kW 31.432.9 19.017.4 25 Solar PV>150-250kW 29.330.7 15.013.7 25 Solar PV>250kW - 5MW 29.330.7 8.5 25 Solar PVStandalone29.330.78.5 25 Wind1.5kW34.536.234.220 Wind>1.5 - 15kW26.728.026.720 Wind>15 - 100kW24.125.324.220 Wind>100 - 500kW18.819.7 20 Wind>500kW - 1.5MW9.49.9 20 Wind>1.5MW - 5MW4.54.7 20 Existing generators transferred from RO 99.4 to 2027 Export Tariff33.1 Feed in Tariffs – Introduced 1 st April 2010 Tariffs are index linked each year for existing generators only new generators are affected by revised prices which have still to be confirmed. Tariffs also available for hydro, anerobic digestion and mini CHP.

22. 22 Feed in Tariffs – Example for PV Payment for tariffs will be from a levy on Utility Companies which MAY see a cumulative rise in bills of around £1 billion or more. In addition there will be a payment of 3.1p per kWh for any electricity exported as opposed to consumed on premises. BUT an export meter is needed to identify this. Householder will save on imported electricity at ~ 13 – 14p per kWh, so optimum financial model may not be to generate as much as possible i.e. for each unit generated and consumed it is worth 43.3+ 13 = 56.3p /kWh for each unit exported it is worth 43.3 + 3.1 = 46.4 p/kWh If no export meter is fitted : For domestic consumers it is deemed that 50% of generation will be exported.

23. 23 Technology Domestic Installations Industrial & Commericial Installations Community Installations Total Installations Number Installed Capacity Number Installed Capacity Number Installed Capacity Number Installed Capacity MW NORFOLK Hydro20.02100002 Micro CHP30.00300003 Photovoltaic16674.691170.07170.07416914.836 Wind280.19770.04850.026400.27 Total Installed Capacity (MW) 4.91200.119 0.099 5.13 Total1700 2412 1736 SUFFOLK Micro CHP20.00200002 Photovoltaic15194.216160.10360.02715414.347 Wind280.18820.0110.006310.204 Total Installed Capacity (MW) 4.40600.113 0.033 4.552 Total1549 187 1574 Installations under Feed In Tariff Scheme ( to 28/09/2011) The annual output from all schemes installed is ~ 7.5 GWh – the same output as 1.8 modern 2 MW wind turbines such as those at Kessingland.

24. Tariff name Eligible technology Eligible sizes Tariff rate (pence/ kWh) Tariff duration (Years) Small biomass Solid biomass; Municipal Solid Waste (incl. CHP) < 200 kWth Tier 1: 7.6 20 Tier 2: 1.9 Medium biomass 200 kWth to 1,000 kWth Tier 1: 4.7 Tier 2: 1.9 >1,000 kWth 2.6 Large biomass Small ground source Ground & Water - source heat pumps; deep geothermal <100 kWth 4.3 20 Large ground source >100 kWth 3 Solar thermal <200 kWth 8.520 Biomethane injection and combustion except from landfill gas – all scales < 200 kWth 6.520 Renewable Heat Incentive from 01/10/11 for Non-Domestic Installations Tier 1 applies annually up to the Tier Break, Tier 2 above the Tier Break. The Tier Break is: installed capacity x 1,314 peak load hours, i.e.: kWth x 1,314 24 Stop Press!!! 18:00 on 29 th September 2011 The EU have rejected support level for large Biomass and scheme cannot now start until amendments to RHI Order are in place.

25. Configuration of a Solar PV System 25 All electricity must be converted from DC to AC by use of inverters. Inverters are only 92 - 93% efficient Often these are installed in the loft Rated Peak Output e.g. 1.25 kW PV panel 1.151kW Inverter Generation Meter Normal House Meter Electricity Supply Connected to spare Consumer Unit outlet (or auxillary)

26. Solar Rosette Diagram for East Norfolk/Suffolk Tilt 90 85 80 75 70 65 60 55 50 45 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 05 1520253035404550556065707580859095100105110115120125130135140145150155160165170175180185190195200205210215220225230235240245250255260265270275280285290295300305310315320325330335340345350355 26 0 30 60 90 120 150 180 210 240 270 300 330 360 N NE E SE S SW W NW N Azimuth <20 20-30 30-40 40-50 50-60 60-70 70-80 80-90 90-100 100 Note: Optimum direction for solar energy in East Anglia is NOT due south but ~ 10-15 degrees West of South. Reduction for west facing roof is < 20% For solar thermal a more westerly orientation is often preferable, but depends on hot water use during day

27. 27 Solar PV – the Technologies Monocrystalline: Traditional Technology with good performance in terms of Peak Watts per given area – typically 6.9 sqm needed for each installed peak kW. Tend to be cheaper than HIT panels. A good option if area is not restricted. Polycrystalline: Cheaper than Monocrystalline – rather less energy dense ~ 7.35 sqm/ installed peak kW. A good option if area is not restricted Thin Film: cheapest panels – can also be flexible: much less energy dense ~ 11sqm/ installed peak kW HIT Techonology: HeteroJunction with Intrinsic Thin Film: Currently most energy dense ~ 5.6 sqm per installed peak kW. Also most expensive. The option to go for if roof area is limited. Note: total installed peak power should be matched with the same size of inverter

28. 28 Simulation of Daily Performance of a PV System Demand 9.62 kWh Generated 6.28 kWh Apparent Saving 3.34 kWh Net Import 6.76 kWh Net Export 3.42 kWh Export ~ 51.5% Note: Amount of electricity consumed during sunshine hours 2.86 kWh

29. 29 Simulation of Daily Benefit of a PV System Option 1: Householder pays for installation Gets 43.3p/kWh for each unit generated Gets a further 1.51p (50% of electricity is deemed as exported) Saves ~14p/kWh for all electricity consumed in day time which is less than that generated Units Cost/ Saving Income Net Benefit kWh Original Consumption9.62£1.35 Saving from day time consumption2.86£0.40 Electricity generated in day6.28£4.17 export ed @50%3.14£0.09 Net benefit£4.66 Residual payment for night time£0.95 Note: This simulation is for a house with 1.25 kW peak array for a sunny day in October. The household daily consumption is 9.62 kWh

30. 30 Simulation of Daily Benefit of a PV System Option 2: Company Pays for Installation Householder gets electricity Three different interpretations of FREE! Free Electricity 1: All electricity consumed by consumed is FREE! Unlikely that this option will apply. Free Electricity 2: All electricity in a day up to that generated is free. Could be an option for an Ethical Company Free Electricity 3: All electricity consumed in day time which is less than that generated is FREE. Probably option most companies opt for Units (kWh)Benefits FREE!GeneratedConsumerCompany Free Electricity 19.626.28£1.35£4.26 Free Electricity 26.28£0.88£4.26 Free Electricity 32.86£0.40£4.26 FREE

31. 31 Solar Circuit Configuration of a Solar Thermal System

32. 32 Normal hot water circuit Solar Circuit Solar Pump Configuration of a Solar Thermal System

33. 33 Solar Thermal – actual performance However, performance can be significantly affected by way normal central heating boiler is used for backup. A factor of two in output has been measured for otherwise identical installations Typically domestic situations will have 2 or 3 panels

34. Getting the most out of Solar Thermal: Tank with small residual hot water at top of tank in early morning If Central Heating boiler heats up water – less opportunity for solar heating. Zone heated by solar energy 34 Solar Thermal Energy captured when combined with central heating

35. Tank with small residual hot water at top of tank in early morning No hot water provided by central heating boiler. Gain from solar energy is much higher. More solar energy can be gained if boiler operation is delayed. Boiler ON/OFF times should be adjusted between summer and winter for optimum performance 35 Getting the most out of Solar Thermal:

36. The Future The Government will maintain the Feed-In-Tariffs to support investment in emerging small-scale generation technologies in electricity, saving £40M by improving their efficiency, and complement this with the Renewable Heat Incentive to reward ground-source heat pumps and other renewable heat sources, while making efficiency savings of 20% by 2014-15 compared with the previous governments plans. 36 For complete information see Section 4 of http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/d/nationalinfrastructureplan251010.pdf According to the Comprehensive Spending Review

37. 37 The Consequence of possible changes The UK Government has always Grandfathered rights such as these so those receiving FITs etc will continue to benefit for the duration of the contract The incentives are index linked and Free of Tax for Domestic Consumers FINANCIAL TIMES: October 19, 2011 10:00 pm Solar panel subsidy to be slashed By Pilita Clark and Jim Pickard New installations after April 1 st 2012 were scheduled to receive reduced incentives ~ 37p cf 43.3p, but latest indications are that incentive will be much lower 30p or even lower??? However, costs of equipment have come down by ~ 30% in recent years

38. From the National Infra-Structure Plan 2010 following Comprehensive Spending Review The Government will (para 4.18): Support investment in low carbon energy supply by: maintaining Feed-In Tariffs for small-scale generation, funded through an obligation on electricity suppliers equating to a levy of almost £900 million over the period to 2014-15. At the same time, the efficiency of Feed-In Tariffs will be improved at the next formal review [2012], rebalancing them in favour of more cost effective carbon abatement technologies. May be an issue for PV as carbon abatement using PV is >£700 per tonne saved way above many other strategies cf ~£95 for large scale wind, ~£20 or less for cavity insulation 38 For complete information see Section 4 of http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/d/nationalinfrastructureplan251010.pdf Equivalent to £36 per household over 4 years

39. For Renewable Obligation: there is a small levy ~ 1% on all bills meaning that those who use most pay most – For Feed in Tariff: there is also a levy on all electricity consumed. –Those with capital to pay for installation will be paid and will save on electricity consumed and will benefit more than any rise in tariffs. –Those who do not install will see their bills rise and will be subsidising those who have installations. Current Proposals for Renewable Heat Incentive will pay for heat generated from Government Funds from general taxation. Under previous Government the RHI proposal was for deeming payments i.e. You would get the credit even if you did not use a Solar Water Heater. Would have been open to abuse. 39 Who really pays for Electricity Incentives?

40. 40 Conclusions (1) Current Renewable Electricity in UK is saving around 12 Mtonnes of CO 2 a year. The Renewable Obligation is increasing electricity bills by around 1%, levied on all consumers. The Feed in Tariff will see a further increase in bills, and will provide an income for those installing PV, etc as well as reduced electricity consumption. BUT those not installing will see their bills go up disproportionately. There is a greater return on capital if size of scheme is matched with demand

41. 41 Conclusions (2) The Feed in Tariff for PV is currently an attractive method to generate income with returns of > 4% cf savings The Renewable Heat Incentive has yet to be finalised Following the Comprehensive Spending Review a review of incentives in 2012 may well significantly reduce benefits for PV, but increase those for other strategies – e.g. insulation, micro-CHP??? Previous experience indicates that existing Rights to Tariffs/Benefits such as these are always Grandfathered Finally: If you want to take advantage – do so before 1 st April 2012. This presentation is available at http://www2.env.uea.ac.uk/cred/creduea.htm