Epsom and Ewell Energy Group

Shale Gas: A Boon That Could Stunt Alternatives, Study Says

eeeg — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 19:32:35 +0000

Natural gas derricks like this one near Morgantown, West Virginia have become an increasingly common sight in the United States. A new economic study raises concern that the abundant new resource could delay development of renewable energy and carbon capture technologies.

Photograph by David Smith, AP

Mason Inman

For National Geographic News

Published January 17, 2012

Shale gas has transformed the U.S. energy landscape in the past several years—but it may crowd out renewable energy and other ways of cutting greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, a new study warns.

A team of researchers at Massachusetts Institute of Technology used economic modeling to show that new abundant natural gas is likely to have a far more complex impact on the energy scene than is generally assumed. If climate policy continues to play out in the United States with a relatively weak set of measures to control emissions, the new gas source will lead to lower gas and electricity prices, and total energy use will be higher in 2050.

Absent the shale supply, the United States could have expected to see GHG emissions 2 percent below 2005 levels by 2050 under this relatively weak policy. But the lower gas prices under the current shale gas outlook will stimulate economic growth, leading GHG emissions to increase by 13 percent over 2005. And the shale gas will retard the growth of renewable energy’s share of electricity, and push off the development of carbon capture and storage technology, needed to meet more ambitious policy targets, by as long as two decades.

“Shale gas is a great advantage to the U.S. in the short term, for the next few decades,” said MIT economist Henry Jacoby, lead author of the new study. “But it is so attractive that it threatens other energy sources we ultimately will need.”

A New Resource

Shale gas relies on hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, to open up cracks in the rock layer deep underground. The high-volume water fracking, combined with horizontal drilling, allows abundant natural gas production from rock layers that had not yielded natural gas in economic volumes before.

(See “The Science of Shale Gas” and “Breaking Fuel From the Rock“)

In just five years, the supply from shale gas has soared to become a quarter of all U.S. natural gas production. If this production continues to expand, natural gas prices will remain relatively low for decades, and natural gas will take over more of the electricity market, according to the study’s forecast, published in the inaugural issue of Economics of Energy and Environmental Policy. (The peer-reviewed semi-annual journal is a new venture of the International Association for Energy Economics.)

The study compared two different kinds of climate policies, and two different situations—with or without shale gas.

In the weak climate policy scenario that the researchers examined, the government would mandate that, by 2030, renewable energy such as wind and solar would grow to become 25 percent of the electricity market, and half of all coal power plants would be shut down.

In the strong climate policy case, greenhouse gas emissions would be required to shrink continually, dwindling to about half today’s level by 2050, driven by a price on these emissions, either through a tax or market-based policy to cap emissions.

Either way, the presence of abundant shale gas would make it cheaper to meet the targets, the study found.

“The biggest effect is that it would push out coal,” Jacoby said. This is a climate benefit, because natural gas generates electricity with roughly half the emissions of coal.

However, the expansion of shale gas would also put limits on the expansion of other sources of electricity, because natural gas power plants would tend to be cheaper than wind or solar.

In the strong policy scenario, the study forecasts that natural gas would take over about a third of the electricity market by 2050, completely driving out coal. In this case, renewable energy would increase as well, tripling between now and 2050—but this growth of renewables would be much slower than what the U.S. has seen in the past several years.

Low-cost gas would also hamper the development of carbon capture and storage (CCS), a way of keeping carbon dioxide, the primary greenhouse gas, from going up power plants’ smokestacks, and instead storing it underground.

According to the study, if there were no shale gas, meeting the stronger policy target would first bring CCS into play around 2030, and then it would expand to become a crucial part of the electricity system. But with shale gas available, CCS is projected to be pushed back by up to two decades.

“In the long run, we need renewables, carbon capture and storage, and nuclear power,” Jacoby said. “Shale gas is a good thing overall, but we’ve got to keep our eye on the long term,”—beyond 2050.

Cost, Technology Uncertainty

One reason that it is important to spur development of alternative energy and carbon capture is that there is a lot of uncertainty about the future of shale gas, said Jacoby, who co-authored a major MIT study last year on the subject.

“We’re at the very early stage of this resource,” Jacoby said. “It’s a huge resource, but the main uncertainty is the cost.”

That’s in part because “we’re just learning about the geology [of shale gas areas] and how wells will perform over time,” Jacoby said.

New environmental regulations may also put restrictions on the industry, pushing up the cost of production. And as the prime reserves of shale gas are depleted, the gas from remaining reserves may be more expensive to produce.

On the other hand, there has been rapid technological improvement in fracking, Jacoby said, “so we’ll get better and better at it,” which could help keep the price down.

A Blessing or a Trap?

Physicist Ray Orbach, director of the Energy Institute at the University of Texas in Austin, agrees that shale gas in the coming years will be cheap and plentiful enough to drive out most other sources of electricity—including coal, nuclear, and renewables.

“It’s a little hard to see how any other source can compete for the foreseeable future,” Orbach said.

But Orbach, who oversaw federal research efforts as director of the Office of Science at the U.S. Department of Energy in the Bush administration, added, “I think it’s a very healthy competition,” since it will drive out coal, the dirtiest source of electricity, both in terms of greenhouse gases and smog. Rather than shale gas being a problem, he said, “it’s a blessing.”

However, James Bradbury, a policy analyst at the World Resources Institute, said energy policymakers face new challenges due to shale gas.

“Given current U.S. policies, abundant and relatively cheap natural gas puts all other energy sources at a competitive disadvantage,” he said. “It is particularly important for decision-makers to . . . usher in more renewable energy by creating incentives to help this industry thrive,” including policies to increase innovation and encourage investment in electric grids.

The infrastructure people build today—power plants fired by coal or natural gas, or solar panels or wind turbines—will likely last for decades, Bradbury said.

“The longer it takes for the [United States] to pass climate policy,” he added, “the more likely it is that we will see . . . gas-related infrastructure become effectively locked in to our energy system for decades.”

The MIT study noted that natural gas is often thought of as a “bridge” to a low-carbon future. But the study also emphasizes that there is also a risk of “stunting” other technologies for reducing carbon emissions. “While taking advantage of this gift in the short run, treating gas as a ‘bridge’ to a low-carbon future,” the study said, “it is crucial not to allow the greater ease of the near-term task to erode efforts to prepare a landing at the other end of the bridge.”

eeeg — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 18:17:49 +0000

19th January 2012 ( Friends of the Earth)

http://www.foe.co.uk/resource/press_releases/solar_tariff_cuts_19012012.html

Government moves today (Thursday 19 January 2012) to cut solar subsidies by early March – reducing the uncertainty hanging over the solar industry since Ministers attempted to rush through payment cuts in December – have been welcomed by Friends of the Earth.

The solar industry was left reeling – and 30,000 jobs thrown into jeopardy – when the Government announced plans last year to abruptly cut payments for any solar scheme completed after 12 December 2011 – 11 days before an official consultation into the proposals had even closed.

Shortly before Christmas – following a legal challenge by Friends of the Earth and solar firms Solarcentury and HomeSun – the High Court ruled that the Government’s plans were illegal, saying Ministers could only alter the payments after going through Parliamentary procedures – allowing industry time to plan for change. Last week the Government challenged the ruling in the Court of Appeal, and a decision is due within the next few weeks.

Friends of the Earth is also calling on Ministers to boost certainty for solar by using the multi-million pound tax revenues generated by solar firms – enabling more homes, businesses and communities to switch to clean British energy.

Friends of the Earth’s Executive Director Andy Atkins said:

“At last the Government is taking steps to sort out some of the uncertainty that’s crippling a thriving UK industry – planned cuts will at last allow solar firms to start planning for the future.

“Solar payments should be cut in line with falling costs – but by trying to rush through payment before the consultation closed Ministers created a shambolic mess that threatens 30,000 jobs and the future of the industry.

“Minsters must urgently use the millions of pounds in tax that solar firms generate to safeguard this industry and the jobs and businesses it has created.

“We must do more to protect cash-strapped families from soaring fuel bills – that’s why we’re campaigning for the Government to fix our broken energy system and enable more people to plug into clean British energy.”

ENDS

Notes to editors:

1. Friends of the Earth’s legal challenge to cuts in solar incentives is part of its campaign, which calls for energy we can all afford and a public inquiry into the power and influence of the Big Six energy companies.

2. http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/news/WMSCH_FITs/ on feed-in tariffs, Thursday 19 january 2011.

3. Friends of the Earth has been urging the Government to put regulations before Parliament as soon as possible to end the uncertainty about tariff payments. Government moves today will enable the industry to know that tariff payment will be cut by the end of February at the very latest. If Ministers win their appeal – the 12 December cut-off date will be reinstated.

4. The Government’s proposals have already had a devastating impact. Countless planned clean energy schemes have been abandoned and thousands of jobs are under threat. In December construction firm Carillion http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2011/dec/01/carillion-job-cuts-solar-energy because of the Government’s proposals. Examples of solar energy projects that have either been scrapped or are in jeopardy are available from Friends of the Earth’s press office – please call 020 7566 1649/ 07712 843 209 for more information.

5. In November last year http://www.foe.co.uk/resource/briefing_notes/element_energy_summary.pdf by Element Energy, commissioned by Friends of the Earth and the solar industry, showed that the premature cuts could threaten 29,000 jobs and lose the Treasury up to £230 million a year in tax income. It showed that additional costs to lift the cap off the scheme will be more than equalled by extra tax receipts to the exchequer and saving on unemployment benefit that would have been paid to sacked solar fitters.

6. Friends of the Earth is calling on the Government to:

- Establish a system which enables feed-in tariff payments to fall from mid February 2012, in line with the falling cost of solar technology, in a way that supports the continued growth of the industry and jobs;

- Increase the overall budget for feed-in tariffs using tax revenues generated by jobs created by the scheme – this will enable more households to benefit from solar power.

- Exclude housing association, school, council and other community projects from the damaging proposal to give multi-building projects even lower financial support.

- Only require solar projects on homes to install loft and cavity wall insulation where possible – rather than imposing much tougher energy efficiency conditions which would make 9 out of 10 householders ineligible for the scheme.

- Relax over-strict energy efficiency proposals which will prevent 90 per cent of housholds applying for solar tariff payments and new measures to boost clean energy for social housing schemes.

and

Telegraph 19th January 2012

Solar tariffs to be cut ‘in April at the latest’

Solar feed-in tariffs will be cut in April if the Government loses its appeal over a December cut-off date.

If the Government wins its court appeal, the current December 12 cut-off date will stand Photo: Simon Burt/PA

By Rosie Murray-West

Chris Huhne, the Energy Secretary, said in a written statement that the tariff paid to customers who generate their own electricity will be cut from April 1 for all installations completed on or after March 3.

If the Government wins its appeal, however, the current December 12 cut-off date will stand. “We continue to stand by our original proposal,” Mr Huhne said. “However, I know that the uncertainty while we await the court’s decision is difficult for the industry.

“If the court finds in favour of the Government’s appeal, we intend to stand by all our consultation proposals, including an earlier reference date, subject to the Parliamentary procedure and consideration of consultation responses.”

Friends of the Earth and two solar panel installers, Solarcentury and HomeSun, took the Government to court over its decision to halve the amount home owners with newly installed panels will receive for every kilowatt hour generated. The total per unit will fall from 43.3p to 21p per kilowatt hour, but the ‘export’ tariff of 3.1p for energy sold on to the National Grid will not change.

However, the environmental charity and the industry protested that the Government had not given enough notice for the change, which was implemented before the consultation period even ended. Thousands of customers who had already signed contracts missed the deadline, meaning that they will receive less for the electricity that they generate.

The Government is appealing against the court’s decision that its abrupt slashing of the subsidies was unlawful. It says that it had to cut the prices because customers were making more money than expected from the panels.

Andy Atkins, executive director of Friends of the Earth, said that although solar payments should be cut in line with falling costs, the Government had created a “shambolic mess” by trying to rush through the cuts before the consultation closed. He said the March date would help to sort out “some of the uncertainty that’s crippling a thriving UK industry”.

“Planned cuts will at last allow solar firms to start planning for the future,” he said.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/consumertips/household-bills/9025454/Solar-tariffs-to-be-cut-in-April-at-the-latest.html

Govt to appeal High Court solar ruling on 13 January

eeeg — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 17:53:20 +0000

6 January 2012 (Friends of the Earth)

The Court of Appeal will hear the Government’s challenge to last month’s High Court ruling that its solar cuts are illegal on Friday [13 January 2012].

The move follows a High Court ruling that the Government’s plans to rush through sudden cuts to solar payments were illegal, following a legal challenge by Friends of the Earth and two solar firms, Solarcentury and HomeSun.

The hearing will be “rolled-up” so that the application for permission to appeal and the appeal itself will be held on the same day.

Friends of the Earth’s Policy and Campaigns Director Craig Bennett said:

“Ministers’ insistence on continuing with the appeal process will simply add to the cloud of uncertainty hanging over the solar industry – and the thousands of jobs at stake.

“Instead of wasting taxpayers’ money fighting this in the courts, Ministers should take steps to safeguard thousands of solar jobs and enable more homes, businesses and communities to plug in to clean energy.”

ENDS

Notes to editors:

1. The High Court said that proposals to cut payments for any solar scheme completed after 12 December – 11 days before the official consultation closed – were unlawful. A working transcript of the court proceedings is available from Friends of the Earth’s press office – 020 7566 1649.

2. Photographs of a Friends of the Earth’s action outside the High Court last month – featuring a solar panel in a dustbin and two solar installers – areavailable for free.

3. At the High Court the judge refused permission to appeal, given that it would have no realistic prospect of success.

4. On Monday 31 October 2011 the Government launched a public consultation that would see the amount of solar panels installed each year fall by between 50 and 95 per cent.

5. The Government’s proposals have already had a devastating impact. Countless planned clean energy schemes have been abandoned and thousands of jobs are under threat. In December construction firm Carillion warned 4,500 workers their jobs were at risk because of the Government’s proposals. The Government’s decision to slash solar funding was described by the CBI as an ‘own goal’ in November. Examples of solar energy projects that have either been scrapped or are in jeopardy are available from Friends of the Earth’s press office – please call 020 7566 1649/ 07712 843 209 for more information.

6. In November last year research by Element Energy, commissioned by Friends of the Earth and the solar industry, showed that the premature cuts could threaten 29,000 jobs and lose the Treasury up to £230 million a year in tax income. It showed that additional costs to lift the cap off the scheme will be more than equalled by extra tax receipts to the exchequer and saving on unemployment benefit that would have been paid to sacked solar fittershttp://www.foe.co.uk/resource/briefing_notes/element_energy_summary.pdf.

7. Calculations by Friends of the Earth and Element Energy suggest that the Treasury receives from the solar industry at least £330m per year in income taxes, corporation tax, and VAT. Friends of the Earth’s calculations also reveal that any additional costs over budget that result from restoring the cut-off date to April, as well as allowing for moderate growth in the solar industry over the next three years at lower tariff rates, could be paid for by using this tax income – not increasing the costs to consumers.

8. Friends of the Earth is calling on the Government to:

• Establish a system which enables feed-in tariff payments to fall from mid February 2012, in line with the falling cost of solar technology, in a way that supports the continued growth of the industry and jobs;

• Increase the overall budget for feed-in tariffs using tax revenues generated by jobs created by the scheme – this will enable more households to benefit from solar power.

• Exclude housing association, school, council and other community projects from the damaging proposal to give multi-building projects even lower financial support.

• Only require solar projects on homes to install loft and cavity wall insulation where possible – rather than imposing much tougher energy efficiency conditions which would make 9 out of 10 householders ineligible for the scheme.

9. The feed-in tariff scheme has led to the installation of more than 100,000 solar panel projects since its introduction in April 2010 and created around 27,000 new jobs, the majority of which are now under threat.

10. Friends of the Earth’s legal challenge to cuts in solar incentives is part of its Final Demand campaign, which calls for energy we can all afford and a public inquiry into the power and influence of the Big Six energy companies. Find out more at www.foe.co.uk/finaldemand.

11. Almost 20,000 people have asked the Government to keep supporting clean British energy – join them now at www.foe.co.uk/finaldemand.

12. More than 200 organisations, including community groups, councils, business organisations, solar companies and NGOs have signed a statement calling on the Government to re-think its plans.http://www.foe.co.uk/resource/briefing_notes/fd_joint_statement1.pdf.

FEED-IN TARIFF APPEAL: STATEMENT BY DECC SPOKESPERSON

4 JANUARY 2012 (DECC website)

On the FITs appeal, A DECC spokesperson said:

“We have lodged grounds of appeal with the Court of Appeal. We hope that permission will be granted for an appeal and that we can secure a hearing as soon as possible so that we can provide clarity for consumers and industry on the way forward following the consultation.

“The High Court’s decision was based on the view that the proposed approach to implementing new tariffs for solar PV is inconsistent with the FIT scheme’s statutory purpose of encouraging small-scale low-carbon electricity generation.

“We disagree with this for a number of reasons. The overriding aim of the proposed reduction in tariffs for solar PV (as set out in the recent consultation) is to ensure that over the long term as many people as possible are encouraged to install small scale low-carbon generation (including other technologies as well as solar PV) and benefit from the funding available for the FIT scheme. Without an urgent reduction in the current tariffs, which give a very generous return, the budget for the scheme would be severely depleted and there would be very little available for future solar PV generators, or for other technologies. Our view is that the urgent steps we have proposed to protect the scheme for the future are fully consistent with the scheme’s statutory purpose.

We have also made the point that the judicial review was premature as no decision has yet been taken, and a decision will only be taken after a full analysis of the responses to the consultation.”

UK government grounds of appeal on solar subsidy court ruling

4 Jan 2012: ( the Court document)Chris Huhne sought on Wednesday to appeal an earlier court ruling that found his proposal to cut support for solar power “legally flawed”. This document sets out the grounds for appeal.

and

Solar subsidy confusion continues as government appeals against ruling

Industry remains in dark over feed-in tariff rates after climate minister Greg Barker confirms appeal against high court ruling

Guardian 3.1.2012

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2012/jan/03/solar-subsidy-confusion-government-appeal

and much more on solar PV and Feed In Tariffs on the Guardian’s website at

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/feed-in-tariffs

and earlier

Government to appeal solar subsidy case

By Bryan Johnston

Wednesday, 04 January 2012

The government is to appeal a High Court ruling against its plans to slash Feed-in Tariff (FiT) subsidy rates for small-scale solar power installations.

In the High Court last month, Mr Justice Mitting ruled that the Department of Energy and Climate Change’s (DECC) proposal to reduce payments for solar schemes completed after 12 December – 11 days before a consultation into the proposals ended – was unlawful. Under the plans, the FiT rate for the smallest solar installations would be cut from 43.3p to 21p per kilowatt-hour.

DECC has now confirmed that the department will ask the Court of Appeal to overturn the High Court verdict. It has until 4pm today to lodge its grounds of appeal.

Campaign group Friends of the Earth (FoE) has urged ministers to drop the legal action.

Head of campaigns Andrew Pendleton said: “Trying to appeal the High Court’s ruling is an expensive waste of taxpayers’ money. The court said the government has no realistic chance of winning, and it will prolong uncertainty among solar companies just when they need reassurance”.

http://www.planningresource.co.uk/bulletin/planningdaily/article/1110531/government-appeal-solar-subsidy-case

Surrey Green Homes 2012 weekend 24th and 25th March

eeeg — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 17:13:36 +0000

Action Surrey, the group working across the whole of Surrey on energy issues, are running a weekend, on 24th and 25th March, where people across the county, who have installed energy efficient or energy generating measures into their homes, invite visitors in on one day, to find out more about the details, benefits, problems, costs etc. They did the same in 2011, with 30 properties open, and several hundred visits. We even had 3 homes available in Epsom.

They are asking if any other home owners are interested in joining the scheme this March.

Action Surrey is asking local eco home owners, who have implemented some energy saving measures, to open their home to the public as part of Surrey Green Homes 2012 on Saturday 24^th and Sunday 25^th March.

Homeowners are encouraged to share their knowledge and experience about making their own homes more energy efficient and ecologically sustainable and report on how these changes have affected their fuel bills, and the comfort of their homes.

This County-wide event will build on the success of last year when 30 homeowners opened their properties to over 300 visitors, illustrating what they could do to their own home to reduce fuel bills and generate their own renewable energy.

Homeowners would have to commit to:

Opening their house for one day during the weekend
Provide a brief summary of the energy saving features of their home (and the suppliers/installers of any technology)
Guide people round the home or enable people to look around
Answer any questions the visitors might have.

Support will be provided by Action Surrey. Homeowners who are interested should contact Action Surrey on info@actionsurrey.org

Many thanks

Sara Winnington

Project Officer for Action Surrey – Surrey’s Low Carbon Community

Mobile:07983 707729 Email:sara@actionsurrey.org

26A Commercial Way Woking, GU21 6EN

www.actionsurrey.org

http://www.actionsurrey.org/latestnews?item=78

Supported by the Surrey Improvement Partnership; managed by ECSC Uk Ltd part of Thameswey Group;owned by Woking Borough Council. Registered The St Botholph Building, 138 Houndsditch, London, EC3A 7AR

Petition to HM Government on getting a better rate for electricity generated by the early PV installers

eeeg — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 19:22:46 +0000

This e-petition to the Government has been set up by Alan Watson, who is a member of the Epsom & Ewell Energy Group.

It is about getting a better rate for electricity generated by the early PV installers, who took the risk and paid a higher price for installation, and now get a very low rate indeed.

Do sign the petition, if you agree. http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/26462

More information from Alan:

You have heard about the Feed in Tariffs (Fits) where small investors in Photo Voltaic (PV) electricity are paid by their electricity supplier cash for every Kilowatt Hour (kWh) that is produced plus another 3 p for every kWh which they have not used and is exported into the grid. Well the Government decided that there would be a cut-off date of 15th June 2009 for the full Fits allowances. Those pioneers of PV who at greater expense had PV installed earlier than this date would get only 9 p for electricity generated instead of 41.3 p for those who at less cost, installed after the cut-off date.

Our PV was installed in March 2009 after having agreed with the supplier Scottish and Southern Electricity (S&SE) that they would pay 28 p for every kWh exported; nothing for kWhs generated. That would have been equivalent to 3 p for export and 25 p for generated kWhs. S&SE evidently thought that 28 p was good value for them in meeting their target for renewable energy! The Fits legislation was passed by the Labour Government. Now the present Government will not correct this injustice; even though I have pointed out that the income and savings generated by our PV is much less that was expected when deciding to invest and may not even cover the cost of repairs and maintenance!

Please click on the link below and put your vote behind the resolution to correct this folly. http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/26462

Next Energy Group meeting – Weds 25th January – on Fracking (hydraulic fracturing for shale gas)

eeeg — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 19:14:16 +0000

Wednesday 25^thJanuary 2012

“Fracking Hell” - the untold story of Hydraulic Fracturing for Shale Gas

“Fracking” is not only environmentally damaging, but there is drilling due to start shortly near Balcombe, in Sussex. Rob Basto, from Transition Redhill will explain what is going on, and why we may need to be concerned. Then there will be questions and discussion.

Meeting starts at 7.30pm

at WS Atkins, Woodcote Grove, KT18 5BW off Ashley Road, (close to St Martins School)

There is no charge, and the meeting is open to everyone interested.

Ends around 9.30pm

(There is currently the threat of fracking being allowed at Balcombe, in Sussex, near Haywards Heath).

For more information on Fracking, see:

Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydraulic_fracturing

http://frack-off.org.uk/

http://www.gaslandthemovie.com/whats-fracking

http://www.foodandwaterwatch.org/water/fracking/

Poisoning link threatens future of fracking http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/poisoning-link-threatens-future-of-fracking-6276590.html

http://www.carolinelucas.com/cl/media/caroline-calls-for-halt-to-fracking-as-evidence-grows-of-negative-effects.html (Balcombe)

http://frack-off.org.uk/fifty-attend-fracking-meeting-in-brighton/ (Balcombe)

High Court gives solar FiT legal action the go-ahead

eeeg — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 18:56:16 +0000

by GreenWise staff

16th December 2011

Friends of the Earth, Solarcentury and Homesun have won their High Court appeal to challenge the Government over its plans to cut the solar FiT

Friends of the Earth and two solar firms have been given the go-ahead to challenge the Government in the courts over its plans to slash the Feed-in Tariff (FiT) for small-scale solar photovoltaic installations.

The High Court gave permission to Friends of the Earth, Solarcentury and Homesunto take the Government to court over the cuts to solar FiT subsidies at a hearing yesterday. The decision follows an appeal by the three organisations after the High Court first rejected their case on the grounds it was not strong enough. The Judicial review has been set for next week (December 20 and 21). It is the latest twist in a bitter row between the Government and many in the solar sector and their supporters, which claim the speed and scale of the cuts will have a devastating impact on the solar industry.

“We’re delighted the High Court has given the go-ahead to our legal challenge – we believe Government plans to abruptly slash solar subsidies are not only unfair, but illegal,” Friends of the Earth’s executive director Andy Atkins said. “These proposals have already had a disastrous impact on the solar industry – fledgling clean businesses have had the rug pulled from under their feet and a shadow hangs over thousands of jobs.”

Legal case

The legal action focuses on Government plans announced on October 31 to cut FiTs by more than 50 per cent on solar installations completed on or after December 12 this year.

In their case, Friends of the Earth, Solarcentury and HomeSun argue the Government’s FiT plans are unlawful because the December 12 cut-off point is two weeks before the consultation on the fast track FiT review ends on December 23. Friends of the Earth adds this is “unfairly” causing numerous planned solar schemes to be abandoned and could cost up to 29,000 jobs.

But the Department of Energy and Climate Change maintains that the scale and speed of the cuts are justified because delaying them would put at risk the entire FiT scheme.

Friends of the Earth is calling on the Government to maintain existing tariff payments to all qualifying solar schemes completed by April 1 2012 and to extend the consultation period to Friday February 17 2012, at the earliest.

http://www.greenwisebusiness.co.uk/news/high-court-gives-solar-fit-legal-action-the-goahead-2896.aspx

EU bans production of 60 watt bulbs

eeeg — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 18:45:27 +0000

EU bans production of 60 watt bulbs

1 September 2011 – including video clip.

The days of the traditional electric light bulb are drawing to an end.

Under EU regulation the production of 60 watt bulbs will cease, in an effort to encourage the use of more energy efficient lighting.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-14743785

and

60 watt traditional light bulbs to be phased out - EU ban on incandescent light bulbs continues

01 September 2011 (Which?)

Traditional light bulbs are being phased out and replaced with energy-saving bulbs

From today, shops won’t be able to buy in new stocks of clear 60 watt (W) traditional light bulbs under EU rules.

This is the latest stage of the EU phase out of traditional incandescent light bulbs in favour of more efficient energy-saving varieties.

Shops are no longer allowed to order new stocks of clear 60W bulbs – though they will be able to sell off existing stocks – and manufacturers will have to stop supplying them.

Light bulb phase-out continues

The EU phase-out started in 2009 when 100W bulbs stopped being sold, while last September saw the phase-out of 75W bulbs.

All remaining clear incandescent bulbs on the market, including 40W and 25W varieties, will be phased out in September 2012.

Many shops – including all the major supermarkets and DIY stores such as B&Q, Homebase and Wickes – have already stopped selling different wattages of incandescent bulbs ahead of the EU timetable, as part of a voluntary agreement.

http://www.which.co.uk/news/2011/09/60-watt-traditional-light-bulbs-to-be-phased-out-263818/

LEDs offer a brighter future, says report

eeeg — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 18:43:59 +0000

16.12.2011

By Mark Kinver – Environment reporter, BBC News

A field trial of LED light fittings in social housing says the new technology can deliver huge energy savings, reduce costs and makes residents feel safer.

The study, carried out by the Energy Saving Trust (EST), measured the performance of more than 4,250 LED light fittings installed at 35 sites.

The EST said it carried out the trial because an increasing number of LED lights were now commercially available.

It is predicted the technology could dominate the lighting market by 2015.

“We like to test things in-situ in order to understand their real performance rather than rely on manufacturers’ claims,” explained James Russill, EST’s technical development manager.

But, he added: “We are at one of those rare times when there is a revolution, I think it is fair to say, within the lighting sector.

“LEDs promise to be the way forward for the whole sector, to be honest. There are so many benefits: they can be smaller, brighter; it is one of those rare technologies where the trial has shown it performs better than the lighting systems it is replacing but, at the same time, using less energy.”

LED appreciation

At the 35 sites in the field trial, the authors of the Lit Up report calculated that the LED fittings saved more than three million kilowatt hours (kWh) each year when compared with the previous lighting.

“The trial has shown that the installation of LED light fittings can be used to maintain or enhance light levels, and in both cases can generate energy savings,” the report’s authors wrote.

They added: “The increase in colour temperature typically produced by LEDs also improved the environments monitored in the field trial, a factor much appreciated by the social housing tenants.

“With the rising price of electricity, the high efficiencies of LED lighting technology will make it an even more attractive investment in the years ahead.”

Mr Russill said that he thought that there would be a natural take-up for the new lighting systems.

“I am already aware of many people that have bought LEDs without any subsidy or incentive,” He told BBC News.

“As with any new technology, there is a higher initial cost – these products are new to market – but people seem to be looking beyond that and seeing they last much longer.

“LEDs will take over the market in due course because I think they are such better products, but I do think introducing them into a subsidy scheme would be a real benefit to speed things up,” he added.

As well as the technical benefits, Mr Russill said feedback from tenants involved in the trial highlighted social benefits too.

“Some of the comments we had was that the light was fresher, brighter and more like daylight,” he said.

“Generally, the feedback was that the lighting make it a nicer place to live.”

The brighter light levels also had a positive impact on people’s sense of security, he observed.

“We also did fit some lighting in external area, such as balcony areas and car parks.

“People also did comment and did make the areas outside feel like a safer environment because it was better lit.

“That also applied to stairwells as well which could be perceived to be an area where shadowy figures like to hang out.”

What is LED lighting?

Light-emitting diodes have been around for years.

Traditionally, they have been used as indicators on electrical devices, such as standby lights on TVs. This was because LEDs were only available in red, but recent advances means that other colours are now available, and the light emitted is much brighter.

White light (used for general lighting) using LEDs can be created via a number of techniques. One example is mixing red, green and blue LEDs.

It is suggested that LEDs can last for up to 100,000 hours, compared with the 1,000 hours of traditional incandescent light-bulbs and compact fluorescent lamps’ (CFLs) 15,000 hours.

The technology is also much more energy efficient, using up to 90% less energy than incandescent bulbs.

The long lifespans and low energy use make LEDs economically attractive because even though the fittings cost more, the running and maintenance bills are lower.

———————————

Setting sun: solar panels feed-in tariff halved

eeeg — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 23:56:48 +0000

Householders fuming as the ‘greenest-ever’ government kills off plans to install environmentally friendly energy and threatens a budding industry

Friday 11 November 2011

by Miles Brignall guardian.co.uk

Householders who are in the process of having solar panels put on their roof have six weeks to complete the job or face seeing the predicted income they generate slashed after the government said it was cutting feed-in tariffs by 50%.

Despite pledging to be “the greenest government ever”, the Tory-led coalition last week shocked the renewables sector by announcing that only installations completed by 12 December would get the full payments they were promised. Hundreds of householders who had signed contracts to have panels fitted have now pulled out and others are expected to follow.

More worrying, say installers, is a proposal to make future feed-in tariff (Fit) payments dependent on the home meeting tough energy performance standards. Around 85% of UK homes would need to spend around £5,600 to meet the requirements. Such a move, which is subject to the consultation exercise announced by ministers, would kill the solar industry, insiders say.

The much-trailed decision to halve the Fits – the amounts those installing photovoltaic panels on their roof get for each unit of electricity generated – sent the solar industry rushing for its calculators in a bid to work out whether solar panels will still be worth installing. It looks as though all but the most committed environmentalists will decide it is not worth the hassle.

Under the original scheme, householders had been promised the higher Fit payments provided they installed their panels before 1 April 2012. Since the scheme’s introduction in 2010, around 100,000 householders have taken advantage of the generous terms.

Last week’s cuts have already led some in the renewables sector to predict the end of the solar industry, which employs 25,000 people. Others are wondering if this government can ever be trusted again, so annoyed are they by the imposition of the 12 December deadline, particularly as it comes before the consultation period ends on 23 December.

At least two legal challenges have been threatened, including one by Friends of the Earth, if the government doesn’t back down on the 12 December deadline. A protest is also set to hit Westminster on 22 November, though with the industry now working round the clock to complete ongoing installations, no one can afford to take time off to attend, even though it looks as though many one-man companies that spent thousands of pounds training to become accredited installers won’t be around in 12 months’ time.

Jeremy Leggett, chairman of the UK’s biggest installer, Solarcentury, says: “In just 18 months, this government has conspired to destroy one of the very few growth industries in the economy. The industry has contracts, staff, purchase commitments, stock – all have now been massively compromised by this short-term knee jerk. There is not even any recognition that the industry will need time to adjust.”

So what do the changes mean?

• The feed-in tariff payable on installations of up to 4kW used to attract a generation rate of 43.3p per kWh. This will be reduced to a proposed 21p for all installations with an eligibility date on or after 12 December – unless the government relents voluntarily, or is forced to by a legal challenge. This slashes their viability; the financial return on the investment falls from around 12% to 5%-7%.

• If you are in the middle of an installation, you need to have it completed and registered with your power company by 12 December. If your supplier won’t play ball and demands paperwork by 5 December (as some reportedly have), switch to Good Energy, which says it is planning to take registrations right up to the deadline.

• If you complete your installation between 12 December and 1 April, you will get the new Fit of 21p, but won’t have to conform to any energy efficiency measures.

• Perhaps the biggest change, and the one that has attracted the least publicity, is the plan to make the payment of Fits dependent on other energy efficiency measures. Ministers have indicated they want only homes that have an energy performance certificate rating of C or better, ruling out many homes, as it will be prohibitively expensive. Most pre-1919 homes require the installation of some or all of the following measures: loft insulation, cavity wall insulation, heating controls, hot water cylinder insulation, replacement boiler and solid wall insulation – at a typical cost of £5,600.

Critics say that for the hardest-to-heat houses, solar PV is a practical way of reducing carbon emissions, and probably much less disruptive than solid wall insulation.

• The proposals are also expected to put an end to free solar installations (often called “rent-a-roof” schemes) through a new multi-installation rate – where an individual or company receives Fits from more than one installation. They will get just 16.8p per kWh for systems up to 4kW, a rate which the chief executive of HomeSun says makes the business no longer worth pursuing.

Friends of the Earth’s energy campaigner Donna Hume says the changes have cast a shadow over the UK’s thriving solar industry. “The government should be encouraging more people, not fewer, to save money by making their own electricity, freeing us from the stranglehold of the big six energy firms which are pushing up our bills.”

She says significant time and money has been invested in solar schemes for homes, schools and libraries, and described giving them just six weeks to install as “completely unacceptable”.

A spokeswoman for the Department of Energy and Climate Change says it is consulting on proposed new tariffs to protect consumers from footing the bill for excessive subsidies: “The government stands by its pledge to be the greenest government ever. We are taking action to ensure that the Fits scheme stays within budget, and to put the solar industry on a steadier, clearer and sustainable growth path, avoiding boom and bust.

“We believe solar PV can have a vibrant future in the UK, and are proposing changes to ensure a lasting Fits scheme to support that future.”

Is it still worth it?

Guardian Money has long been championing solar PV as one of the best investments. The question is whether it’s still worth investing in.

In 2010, anyone spending the typical £13,000 to fit an average sized (2.5kW) system would receive around £900 a year in payments, on top of a £140-a-year saving in reduced electricity bills. Feed-in tariffs are paid for 25 years, tax-free, and rise in line with inflation. To really make it work, you had to plan to stay in your home for at least 15 years. The price of installations has fallen by 20%, which is why the industry expected a cut to Fits from next April.

Gabriel Wondrausch, the man behind one of Britain’s longest established installers, SunGift Solar, says investors will be still able to get an average 5%-7% return under the new rules. He says that by switching to cheaper Chinese panels (rather than the better European ones he favours), it is possible to make a decent-ish return. His estimates beat the government’s claim that the return is now 4.5%.

However, he predicts the changes will lead to a return to pre-Fits days, which saw only the keenest “greens” making the investment – particularly if the government goes ahead with its plan to impose the energy performance requirement, which will rule out most potential buyers if they have to spend £5,000 on a new boiler and other measures.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2011/nov/11/solar-panels-feed-in-tariff-halved?CMP=twt_fd

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