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NAPIT DISAPPOINTED BY GOVERNMENT PROPOSAL TO END MICROGENERATION INSTALLATION GRANTS

In response to the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) consultation on Renewable Electricity Financial Incentives NAPIT openly welcome most of the proposals to provide a guaranteed long term income through Feed-in-Tariffs (FITs) to those householders that embrace microgeneration technology to generate clean electricity at small scales. Under the proposals generators will get payments for all electricity generated, plus a top-up for electricity exported. The payments will be fixed for 20 years (25 years for PV).

NAPIT Certification, which operates the UKAS accredited microgeneration certification scheme (MCS) for installers, has had considerable feedback from members about the barriers that exist to householders and small businesses taking the decision to have equipment installed.

David Cowburn, NAPIT Certification’s Managing Director, said “The proposed feed-in-tariff is simple, practical and guarantees an acceptable return on investment. However, to end capital support for new installations from next March runs the risk of stifling the growing interest in small scale generation.”

DECC’s stance on ending installation grants is that because FITs provide a good return on investment, the market will provide the necessary loans or financial packages on a commercial basis. NAPIT believe that under the current economic climate such financing will remain difficult. In responding to the government, NAPIT have lobbied for a choice where a householder can apply for capital support in return for a reduced FIT payment (either in the rate, or by taking a shorter support period).

Cowburn continued, “Installations completed since 15 July 2009 will be eligible for FITs which means that there is no reason to hold back on installing systems now, interest in installer registration and householder investment is growing all the time and the new rewards will only support this further.”

For further information on NAPIT’s Microgeneration Scheme and how to register please contact NAPIT on: 0870 444 1392 or email:microgeneration@napit.org.uk

Microgeneration installers can currently direct their customers to: www.lowcarbonbuildings.org.uk, to gain access to Government grants.