Renewable Heat Premium Payment Grant finally announced
If you are installing renewables, then you need to read on, the Government Renewable Heat Premium Payments (RHPP) have finally been announced and will be availale from 1st August 2011.
What is great about the RHPP is that so far the scheme seems to be very simple. This will help its success – something we saw with the boiler scrappage scheme, which was kept very clear and subsequently worked very well.
The premium payments demonstrate that the Government is backing renewable technologies and recognising their importance in meeting our carbon reduction commitments
The announcement from the DECC on 21st July 2011 has confirmed the scheme will start on 1 August. Installers who have not started need to get prepared. Vokèra’s advice to installers is to get MCS accredited, finish off any necessary training so they can offer these additional services to their customers alongside their core business.
The RHI (Renewable Heat Incentive) tariffs which are expected to launch in October 2012, will further encourage their uptake. We are expecting announcements regarding the criteria and amount of ongoing tariffs for households who invest in the eligible renewable heating technologies later this year.
Vokèra is urging the Government to announce the RHI tariff criteria as soon as possible. The ideal situation would be that the criteria is the same for the tariff as it is for the RHI Premium Payment, so people are assured of this continued support. Alternatively, the Government should allow homeowners who do not meet the criteria a chance to implement any necessary changes and reapply.
RHPP Factfile
What is the RHPP?
The Renewable Heat Premium Payment scheme is a Government scheme that gives householders a one-off payment to help them buy renewable heating technologies – solar thermal panels, heat pumps and biomass boilers. It will run between 1 August 2011 and 31 March 2012. It only runs for eight months – because from October 2012, the Renewable Heat Incentive tariffs will be launched for the domestic sector and the Green Deal will come into force.
What is the criteria?
Where practical, loft insulation to a minimum of 250mm and cavity wall insulation needs to be in place. The products installed and the installer must be MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme) approved.
Following installation the homeowner will complete two surveys and could have the opportunity to have a free meter installed to monitor the energy performance.
How much is it worth?
ALL HOUSES
£300 – Solar thermal -voucher valid for 3 months
HOUSES NOT HEATED BY GAS FROM THE GRID
£850 – Air source heat pump – voucher valid for 5 months
£950 – Biomass boiler -voucher valid for 6 months
£1250 – Ground source heat pump -voucher valid for 6 months
How do you apply?
Apply online at the Energy Saving Trust website. If the criteria is met, a voucher will be issued, which must be returned before its expiry date with a copy of the invoice and certificate from the MCS.
The Scheme will end on the 31 March 2012, or when the allocated funding has been issued.
So, how do we access the RHI tariffs?
Installations that have received the RHPP will be eligible for the RHI tariffs, providing you meet the RHI criteria, which has not yet been finalised. Full details of the scheme and eligibility can be found on the EST website: www.est.org.uk
