This video is a great introduction into what Germany has achieved with it’s feed-in tariff, and it highlights the differences between the UK’s policy and theirs. The video features Herman Scheer, who was the instigator of the first feed-in tariff policy, he talks openly about what the UK needs to do to match Germany’s rapid switch to clean energy.

The We Support Solar campaign has welcomed Alan Simpson MP’s call for more effective feed-in tariffs.

Speaking in the Commons climate change debate (21st October), Alan Simpson called for feed-in tariffs to be set at levels that will deliver at least 10% of UK electricity by 2020. The Government’s current proposals are designed to deliver just 2% of UK electricity from all “small-scale” renewables i.e. around 8TWh compared to a potential of 60 TWh from solar photovoltaics (PV) alone.

The full text of Alan Simpson’s remarks about feed-in tariffs follows:
“One of the ways in which they could deliver on it is by not only accelerating the introduction of the feed-in tariff regime that they propose, but changing the framework from one that works back from a minimalist, fairly measly assumption that we can deliver only 2 per cent of our energy by 2020 from renewable tariffs to one with a target of 10 per cent, 15 per cent or even almost 20 per cent.

For those who say that that is too much, let me refer to a conversation that I had with colleagues in Germany this morning about their proposals for delivering 100 per cent of renewable energy for their economy by 2050. I said, “Look, isn’t that a bit ambitious?” One of them said, “Well it might be, but let me ask if you are aware that last weekend 90 per cent of Germany’s energy came from wind and solar?” It presented a bit of a problem on Monday when the rest of the energy-generating systems had to kick back in, but that is an interfacing issue about a transformation into a very different future.

The difficulty for the UK is that we have set a threshold of ambition that will deliver the failure that it is designed to deliver. All we lack is the ambition to drive the transformation. We can start to achieve it by signing up to the 10:10 commitment and raising the level of feed-in tariffs to make a meaningful difference, and then we will save the generations who follow us.”

We are delighted that Boris Johnson, Mayor of London, is the latest high profile politician to endorse the ‘We Support Solar’ campaign.  Mayor Johnson said:
‘Solar power has a key role to play in helping London to become a low carbon city. I want London to take full advantage of the opportunities that harnessing the sun’s energy provides, particularly given the likely introduction of feed-in tariffs. I am encouraging the use of photovoltaics through our ten energy busting Low Carbon Zones and retrofitting measures for the GLA Group buildings include PVs. Indeed, our own City Hall has an array of photovoltaic panels generating power for the building.’

Enter the 10:10 and Great British Refurb “Home of the Future” competition.

As the UK is warned of 60% energy price increases over the coming years, one lucky household may escape rising household bills. Solarcentury has teamed up with the 10:10 campaign to offer a solar photovoltaic system to generate clean, inflation proof electricity at home.

Offering a free eco-refurb, the campaign wants to encourage the UK to cut carbon emissions by 10% in 2010. Together with Grand Designs ‘Great British Refurb’ Campaign, with Kevin McCloud, they are offering the chance to win a full-scale green refurbishment worth £15,000 to any household that signs up to the 10:10 campaign.

The prize winner’s house will be turned into the Home of the Future, with a full-on energy makeover courtesy of community regeneration experts Keepmoat. As part of this makeover, Solarcentury will provide solar photovoltaic technology worth £10,000, to deliver clean electricity to the home. The winning home will be completely upgraded into an intelligent space that is warmer, more comfortable, less expensive to run – and with far lower C0₂ emissions.  The winning house should be the envy of the street, future proofed against energy price inflation.

Furthermore, the photovoltaic installation could earn the owner hundreds of pounds each year when the ‘Clean Energy Cash back Scheme’ is introduced from 2010, paying small-scale renewable energy generators a premium rate for the electricity they produce. Like solar supporters across the country, the lucky winner should sign up to the ‘We Support Solar’ campaign to pressure Government for an even better price for generated solar electricity.

Derry Newman, Solarcentury CEO said

“What a great idea. Solarcentury is happy to be able to contribute to both of these positive campaigns, wishing them every success in raising awareness of what needs to be done both at home and on a policy level to tackle climate change. Together with ‘We Support Solar’ we continue to put pressure on the Government to reward solar homeowners, such as the lucky winner of this competition, with an effective ‘Clean Energy Cash back’ rate. I urge anyone who believes in solar power to join ‘We Support Solar’ to push for green jobs and lasting change in the way we create energy in the UK.”

Launching the competition, Kevin McCloud said

“We’re not beyond a little financial inducement or the razzamatazz of a good old-fashioned competition. Which is why 10:10 has teamed up with its sister campaign, the Great British Refurb to launch this chance to win a low-carbon makeover to your home.  It’s another example of everybody benefiting.  You get a draught-free, comfortable, healthy home; you save hundreds of pounds a year in heating costs; you improve the value of where you live; and you give the environment a break by not heating the planet with your boiler.”

Daniel Vockins of 10:10 added

“We’re delighted to be able to team up with the Great British Refurb Campaign to offer one lucky 10:10 household the chance to showcase the kinds of things we can all do to our homes to make them more climate friendly. The Home of the Future competition reflects our philosophy of celebrating exciting, positive solutions to climate change - the kind of things that make life easier for ordinary people instead of harder.”

To enter go to www.1010uk.org/future-home