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What is the Feed-in tariff?
The Government finalised their Feed-in Tariff, also know as the "Clean Energy Cashback" scheme on February the 1st 2010. This means that from April 2010, schools who install solar electric systems will be paid a substantial premium for all of the electricity they generate whether they us it themslves or not. Installing solar is now a fantastic investment, as well as a hedge against rising electricity prices and a way to cut carbon.
Key points of the scheme
The feed-in tariff for schools is between 31.4p and 41.3p per unit generated from a solar electric system, depending on the size of the system installed.
Schools will also receive an additional payment of 3p for the units they export to the grid
The payments are guaranteed by law for 25 years
The payments will rise with inflation and are tax free.
A typical 3.7kw solar electric generating system, if priced fairly priced, would mean an initial
initial investment from your School of no more than 15k+vat.
A 3.7kw Solar Electric generating system typically repays over £1500 per year for the electricity
you generate whether you use it or not. This figure will rise with inflation
and is pledged for 25 Years by the Goverment.
*You must use an approved Microgeneration installer for your school to qualify for the Feed-in-Tariff
This figure doesn’t take into account the savings your school will make because of the rising energy prices over a 25 year period.
Simple one stop solution. Your school could save thousands by contacting us.
for more info and a free no obligation quote contact us
Additional Grants for Renewable Energy and Sustainable Projects in Schools 2010 Update
If your school is considering introducing micro regeneration technologies the following contacts may be of use to fund feasibility studies and part fund Capital projects. The funding is rarely 100% but more likely match funding but they can often be match funded against another grant.
European Regional Development Fund
Available through Regional Development Agencies this funding is aimed at innovation and knowledge transfer, enterprise, sustainable development and building sustainable communities. In England 3.2bn Euros has been allocated for the period 2007-13.
Switched on Communities
The Switched on Communities grant scheme is available to schools participating in the Eco-Schools environmental award programme. Applications for grants up to a maximum of £5000 will be considered to allow positive change and development within a school. Priority will be given to projects that clearly demonstrate an energy efficiency element or identify technology solutions to environmental improvements. The Switched on Communities grant scheme provides a selection of energy saving white goods (those displaying the Energy Saving Logo) such as fridges, freezers, washing machines, dishwashers and energy efficient light bulbs.
The Community Sustainable Energy Programme (CSEP)
The Community Sustainable Energy Programme will provide £8 million to community-based organisations for the installation of micro generation technologies, such as solar panels or wind turbines and energy efficiency measures including loft and cavity wall insulation. Last deadline for applications is October 2010.
Feasibility study funding
CSEP will provide up to £5,000 per application for project development grants that will help community organisations establish if a micro generation and energy efficiency installation will work for them. Grants can be up to 75% of the feasibility cost so schools must be prepared to spend some money towards this or match fund with another source. CSEP will assess project development grant applications on a first-come first-served basis and aim to let you know their decision within 20 to 30 working days. The form is fairly straight forward to complete with mostly tick boxes and only just two text boxes.
Download the form below or apply on line:
http://www.communitysustainable.org.uk/page.jsp?id=3
Be aware that studies funded by the project development grant must be carried out by one of their registered consultants.
Capital Grants
Capital grants are also available up to a maximum of £50,000. Be aware this application form is quite long and complicated and expects information which will only be available through some sort of feasibility study. Capital grants will be awarded on a competitive basis at quarterly Selection Panel meetings and projects with other match funding will be considered as stronger applications.
http://www.communitysustainable.org.uk/page.jsp?id=3
Technology and regional focus
CSEP are particularly keen to receive more applications for projects in the East Midlands, London, North East, North West and Yorkshire and the Humber regions, as proportionally they have had fewer applications from these areas so far.
Any PV-only application must stand out, and may only be funded up to 25%.
Note the upper limit for heat technologies has been raised to 300kW which is fine for a 420 primary school but might not necessarily heat a large high school. There are some limitations on products and installers but they are more flexible than CSEP above.
Deadlines for receiving applications
Applications for electricity generation (non-PV) can only be accepted up to March 2010 when Feed-in Tariffs will be introduced.
Heating only applications can be made throughout 2010 but applicants will have to claim their grant by the end of February 2011.
Please note that this scheme ends on 1st April 2011 when the Renewable Heat Incentive will be introduced.
Larger Boiler Projects 6th round of funding announced 15th Dec 09
The 6th Round of the Bio-energy Capital Grants Scheme funded by DECC
The purpose of the Bio-energy Capital Grants Scheme is to promote the efficient use of biomass for energy, by stimulating the early deployment of biomass fuelled heat and biomass combined heat and power projects. It will do this by awarding capital grants towards the cost of equipment in complete installations. This round will be funded by DECC and is for England only.
Although there is no minimum size, this grant is really aimed at boilers over 300kw which are not eligible for the CSEP and Low Carbon Buildings Phase II above.
The Maximum grant available to each project, irrespective of location or type of organisation may not exceed 40% of the difference in eligible costs of installing the biomass heat boiler or combined heat and power plant compared to installing the fossil fuel alternative. Applications need to be received by 30th March 2010
visit www.bioenergycapitalgrants.org.uk/
Feed -in -Tariffs
Individuals, local authorities, community groups and other organisations who install low carbon electricity generating technologies up to 5MW will be eligible to receive Feed-in-Tariffs. The introduction of Feed-in-Tariffs aims to incentivise the installation of small scale, low carbon electricty generating technologies. Each installation will qualify for a payment for each kW they produce and a further payment for each kW exported to the grid.
Green Energy Fund - EDF
Funding is provided to cover the costs associated with the installation of small-scale renewable technology.
The funding covers a wide range of technologies and it is open to non profit or charitable organisations and/or organisations involved in education and/or work at the community level.
Funding for Community Projects
Community Sustainable Energy Programme
Available to not-for-profit community based organisations in England. Funding is available for the installation of energy efficiency measures and microgeneration technologies as well as feasibility studies. Not available to local authorities or housing associations, but good to be aware of.
Scottish Power - Green Energy Trust
Supports renewable energy projects across the UK and aims to promote education in the community on renewable energy generation. The Trust can provide up to 50 per cent of project costs up to a maximum of £25,000.
Big Lottery Fund
Grants are available to organisations in the public and private sectors. This funding supports a range of measures and proposals are welcomed. Big lottery fund offers a large number of programmes - a search function on their website can help to identify the most relevant funding.
Funding for Local Authority owned estate and other initiatives
Salix Finance
Salix is an independent company funded by the Carbon Trust to work with the public sector to reduce carbon emissions by investing in energy efficiency measures. Salix provides both grant funding and expertise. A range of measures are eligible for funding and Salix typically provides grants of £250,000 and up to £500,000.
Regional Improvement and Efficiency Partnerships (RIEP's)
A share of a three-year funding package of £185 million from Communities and Local Government is available from the nine RIEPs which were created in April 2008. Depending on your RIEPs priorities funding is potentially available for projects relating to climate change.
EU LIFE + Fund
Offers co-financing of projects under three headings: nature and biodiversity; environmental policy and governance; and information and communication. Up to 243 million euros is available and project proposals should be sent to the relevant national authority by 1 September 2010.
North East Community Foundation
This organisation hold funds on behalf of a number of local charities and legacies. Local community grants available at:
http://www.communityfoundation.org.uk/funds/fundsk-r/local_environmental_action_fund.php
This is a generic application form Ð you submit details and they find the most suitable fund to match it to. A response usually takes two weeks.
Utility Companies
Green energy funding from Utility companies
Almost all companies provide a fund and you don't have to be a customer!
The Carbon Emissions Reduction Target (CERT) is a statutory obligation that requires the 6 major energy suppliers in Great Britain to deliver carbon dioxide emissions reductions in the domestic sector. As part of this obligation many also provide grant funding to community groups including schools. A selection of the best schemes are shown below
More details available at:
www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/business/Global-Data/funding-Information/Carbon-Emissions-Reduction-Target-CERT
http://www.edfenergy.com/products-services/for-your-home/our-services/green-energy-fund.shtml
also have a great web site with useful teaching resources
http://www.jointhepod.org/
The Low Carbon Buildings Programme has now been replaced by the solar energy 'Feed-in Tariff'.
Here are some more great links for the Kids. Have fun!
http://www.touchstoneenergykids.com/fun.php
http://www.eia.doe.gov/kids/energy.cfm?page=5
http://www.kidsrgreen.org/game.html
http://www.seussville.com/games/lorax/
http://www.charlieandlola.com/planet/planet-game.html
http://www.meetthegreens.org/games/
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