| THE UK is to introduce feed-in tariffs for household solar and wind installations up to 5MW.The level of tariffs is link to the technology and inflation.UK’s aim is to source 15% of its energy from renewable sources by 2020; it is now around 2%.Commentators feels the tariffs are not high enough to generate widespread take-up.A typical 2.5-kilowatt, solar photovoltaic installation could yield a homeowner up to £900, ($US1,431) leading to a saving of £140 ($US652) a year on electricity bill.For heating, the incentives cover ground-source heat pump instead of oil; biomass boilers and air source heat pump.For the installation a semi-detached could receive £1000 ($US1590) a year and save £200 ($US318) a year on heating bills.Detailed funding will be in the Budget later this year.The renewable heat incentive will also offer long-term fixed payments for every unit of renewable gas fed into the gas network.British Gas, the retail unit of U.K.utility Centrica Plc, said it will go ahead with five biomethane demonstration projects to inject green gas into the grid as a result of the renewable heat initiative. Biomethane will help to decarbonise the gas grid by delivering renewable heat to households through the existing gas network and central-heating boilers.According to a study by U.K. gas and electricity network operator National Grid Plc, biomethane could account for at least 15% of the domestic gas market by 2020. |
