The Solar Trade Association (STA) have expressed dismay that funds in the Low Carbon Building Programme (LCBP) programme (Phases 1 and 2) are set to expire within the next 2 months, a full 10 months ahead of the introduction of the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI), which could lead to job losses and bankruptcies within the renewable heat industry.Currently, the Low Carbon Building Programme Parts 1 and 2 provides grants to householders and public sector buildings to encourage the uptake and installation of renewable heat technologies including Solar Thermal technologies.

Plans to encourage householders to make their homes much warmer and cheaper to run have been announced by ministers.
Consumers will be offered long-term loans to install insulation, solar panels or other green technology, which they can repay through energy bills.
The government wants to save 29% of carbon emissions from UK homes by 2020.
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said the scheme would lower energy costs but campaigners say not enough is being done in the short term for renters.

Householders will soon be able to enjoy tax-free returns above 8pc, add to the value of their property and do their bit to help the planet.

Perhaps it was inevitable that Britain would experience the coldest winter in decades as political bigwigs returned from the Copenhagen summit on global warming. But, despite falling temperatures and rising scepticism, it seems householders will soon be able help the environment and gain electrifying returns.

The Department of Energy and Climate Change today published plans for a scheme to incentivise renewable heat generation at all scales. The Renewable heat incentive scheme (RHI) will be a world first.

The RHI will come into effect in April 2011 and guarantee payments for those who install technologies such as ground source heat pumps, solar thermal hot water systems, biomass boilers and air source heat pumps.

Energy and Climate Change Secretary Ed Miliband today announced the feed-in tariff (FITs) levels and also published a blueprint for a similar scheme to be introduced in April 2011 to incentivise low carbon heating technologies. The renewable heat incentive (RHI) will be a world first.

The schemes are designed to bring about a significant increase in the amount of locally produced green energy, as a contribution to the wider shift of the energy mix to low carbon.

We are pleased to confirm, following today's Pre-Budget Report, that earnings from the tariffs will be free of income tax for householders who install systems for their own energy production.

Extract from Chancellor's speech:
"From April, people with a home wind turbine or solar panels who plug their excess power into the national grid, will receive on average £900 a year.
I intend to make this payment tax free."

Extract from Pre-Budget Report:

Domestic UK energy bills could rise by 60% by 2016 in a worst-case scenario identified by the energy regulator.

However, most other estimates outlined in the Ofgem report would see prices rise between 14% and 25% above inflation by 2020.

The review also said that up to £200bn of investment was needed to secure supplies and to meet carbon targets.

Volatile gas markets and power stations nearing the end of their use were the chief concerns, the regulator said.

The Government has today launched a search for local authorities, charities and social enterprises to take up the challenge to help communities fight climate change.

Communities can apply for a share of a £10million fund as part of the Low Carbon Communities Challenge to build on existing low carbon schemes.

Around a quarter of the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions come from heating, lighting and powering electrical appliances in homes. By 2050 this needs to be almost zero if the UK is to cut its emissions by 80% highlighting the importance of local action.

As part of the UK Low Carbon Transition Plan the Government has announced the details of the proposed feed-in tariff for electricity generated through renewable energy systems, like solar photovoltaics.

The new tariff will pay for ALL electricity generated by your system, irrespective of if you use it yourself or sell it back to the grid. The amounts paid are in addition to any saving you will make by purchasing less electricity from your supplier and any income you earn from selling your surplus power to your electricity supplier.

The key points of the announcement are:

Loan schemes and finance for energy efficiency or renewable energy schemes are thin on the ground, so it's always good to hear about a new one. It's especially good to hear about a pioneering new approach that has the potential to be replicated around the country.