A county-wide strategy for major investment in renewable energy

Members of the Dry Drayton Green Group have been attending meetings of the Cambridgeshire Renewables Infrastructure Framework (CRIF) project over the past six months.  The aim of the CRIF project has been to develop a strategy for renewable energy provision in Cambridgeshire over the period to 2031.  The project has focussed particularly on the need for partnership between local communities, business and local government if the strategy for sustainable growth and carbon reduction is to be successful.

The draft final proposals from the project were presented at a meeting on 15^th November and they are available for study via the project website www.crif.citizenscape.net.  A total investment of £6 billion in renewables is seen as being needed by 2031 if the county targets are to be met.  Among other things this would include 30,000 houses with PV installations, 30 new community wind turbines, and much more.  Since these suggestions for action have the general support of the local authorities in the area, it seems that proposals for community investment in renewables will remain well on the table for the foreseeable future.  The question for us in Dry Drayton is how far we can or should play a part in this process?  Views please, to the DD Green Group.  Please contact: Sandra & Bill Martin 782705  sandrabill78@gmail.com   Rob Howard 780644  robhoward@constcom.demon.co.uk

Green elements in village and district planning

The Village Plan Implementation Sub-Committee met on 15th November to discuss progress on the plan published in 2009.  A summary of progress was given by Nick Irish who also introduced Stuart Morris from Cambridgeshire ACRE who is now helping the village to realise the plan.  Stuart said that the Localism Bill, currently being enacted, will allow some more local control of development but within the statutory role of South Cambs DC as planning authority.  Many of the proposals in the Village Plan are below the level at which formal planning is required. Some of these are being progressed by individual groups, including the Green Group.

 A brief report from the Green Group mentioned the failure to put PV panels on the Village Hall roof owing to possible delays in getting planning permission and the limited use of the electricity which makes the economics worse than for a housing installation.  Other recent Green Group activities have been related to district wide groups such as the Sustainable Parish Energy Partnership.  Among their initiatives, SPEP is proposing a Climate Change Charter under which local businesses are asked to sign up and commit themselves to energy saving targets.  More information on this is available from the DDGG contacts below.

 There were reports on other aspects of the Village Plan which impact on sustainability in Dry Drayton.  Val Perrin has produced a detailed biodiversity plan for the village noting what exists at present and suggesting ways of encouraging, or discovering, new species, by leaving the cut grass longer for example.  Traffic calming proposals are being considered for the Scotland Farm area.  The proposed cycle path to Cambridge has involved discussions with the University and neighbouring villages and it is hoped that links might be made with the new Cambridge NW development.  The route from Madingley into Cambridge seems feasible and we can only hope that the link with Dry Drayton will become possible in future.

STOP PRESS – Reduction in FiT on PV panels from 12th December

It is not often that decisions taken at a national level have an immediate impact on people living in a small village like Dry Drayton.  But at the end of October, the Government announced that it plans to reduce the feed in tariff payment for new installations of PV (photo-voltaic) panels from 43.3p for each kWh generated to 21p, with effect for schemes completed and notified on or after 12^th December 2011.   A cut had been expected from April 2012, but the bringing forward of the date and the large cut in FiTs reduces the attractions of new investments in PV and undermines the viability of the firms delivering such schemes until the price of the panels comes down significantly further.  

We understand that the eCoton group and their contractors Upbeat Energy are still working towards completing the installations that were quoted for in October.   But there are a number of other contractors cold calling in Dry Drayton who are seeking new PV contracts and claiming that they can install and complete before 12th December.  Anyone considering a new installation should check out thoroughly the contractor’s ability to fulfill any such claim.  In fact, even with the lower FiT rate, the expected return of 4.5-5.0% plus is competitive in current conditions, but it is clearly not as obviously interesting as previously.  It is important to note that existing installations, already registered for FiTs, are not affected by the change.

Update on community schemes for renewable energy

Ideas for renewable energy schemes that might generate funds for village projects are being sought.  If you have suggestions, please get in touch with a member of the Green Group Planning Team (see below).  There has been a proposal for putting PV panels on the Village Hall roof, but this will not go ahead, largely because the Hall does not use much electricity at a time when the sun is at its strongest.  For the present, people in Dry Drayton are invited to join the eCoton Green Local Energy group of which details were given in the last newsletter. This has a scheme for PV roof rental in which those who cannot fit panels on their roofs and wish to gain a share of the FIT can participate from panels installed on other roofs (for more information, e-mail ecoton@hotmail.co.uk or phone Madingley 211033).  Such a scheme is expected to provide greater financial benefit than the roof rental schemes being touted commercially where the householder just gets the free electricity when the panels are working. Many of the commercial offers being made at present, before the FIT on new installations are reduced in April 2012 (now 12th December 2011), should be looked at carefully to ensure that the returns offered are actually as good as they seem.

For further information on these topics, or to join in the Green Group planning, please contact:  Sandra & Bill Martin 782705  sandrabill78@gmail.com       Rob Howard 780644  robhoward@constcom.demon.co.uk

PV Panels at Scotland Farm follow the light – a British first!

People driving past Scotland Farm may have noticed a series of large rectangular panels taking up different positions.  These are photo-voltaic (PV) panels and they are the first installation of such steerable panels in this country.  The panels are programmed to follow the sun or to find the brightest parts of the sky and, as a result, they generate about 35% more electricity than fixed panels, such as those on an increasing number of roofs in the village. 

 James Peck, the managing director of PX Farms, has carried out much research into renewable energy use and other farm technologies.  The system chosen for the farm can be controlled and monitored from a smart phone. The farm receives the Feed-in Tariffs for the electricity generated by the PV system, at a lower level than for domestic systems, and much of the electricity generated is used in the new grain drying facility. Sometimes the panels are seen in the horizontal position when the wind is above a certain strength. They will still generate electricity then but at a lower rate. James is willing to consider other renewable energy projects, in which the village might also participate. A small wind turbine is a possibility;  but this would require an investment of well over £100,000 and the returns could be less than for the PV system.  For further information on the PV installation, see http://www.pxfarms.com/index.php/new-news .

Community-based ‘rent-a-roof’ schemes

 

 

Both Coton and Histon and Impington are introducing new Community Investment Schemes to allow local people to invest in solar panels installed on other roofs in the village, either homes or community buildings.  This type of local ‘rent-a-roof’ scheme allows residents with suitable roofs for PV, but without the funds to meet the initial capital cost, to benefit from the free electricity generated by PV panels, sharing the FiT return with the local investor.  Similar ‘rent-a-roof’ schemes are being offered by commercial operators and there is concern that some of these deals may not be as advantageous as they purport to be – see http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/Generate-your-own-energy/Solar-electricity/Consumer-guidance-on-free-solar-PV-offers for guidance on assessing such free solar PV offers.  By basing a ‘rent-a-roof’ scheme in the community with investment by known local people, many worries are removed.  Dry Drayton residents interested in participating in such a scheme, either as investor, or with a roof suitable for PV panels, can explore the possibilities via the links given above, or contact the Dry Drayton Green Group. 

Diagram above courtesy of eCoton.  For further information , or to join in the Green Group planning, please contact: Sandra & Bill Martin 782705  sandrabill78@gmail.com   Rob Howard 780644  robhoward@constcom.demon.co.uk

eCoton launches its PV bulk purchase scheme

eCoton (the Coton green group) formally launched their PV bulk buy scheme at a meeting on 14^th September.  It offers bulk purchase of installations through a preferred supplier, who have been selected by eCoton through a competitive tender process.  The company is Upbeat Energy run by two Germans who have experience of installing PV through another company in Germany. Their British company is established in Cambridge and currently employs 6 people plus subcontractors.  They are offering individual surveys and system designs, followed by contract and installation, aiming for completion and registration by end 2011.  At present some 80 people have shown interest in the eCoton scheme and the prices quoted for installation seem attractive compared with other operators.  For more information, see http://cotonvillage.co.uk/2011/07/26/ecoton-launches-two-solar-power-schemes/ or contact ecoton@hotmail.co.uk.

Village Energy Scheme based in Histon & Impington

Activists in Histon and Impington have been promoting PV for more than a year as part of their general move to encourage low carbon, sustainable living.  Through the combined efforts of  HICCA (Histon & Impington Climate Change Action group) and the local newspaper the H-I Courier, there are opportunities to buy PV installations on an attractive basis and guidance about the best systems and selection of suppliers.  More information can be obtained from Ken Doyle on 07402 674585 or ken@VillageEnergyProject.co.uk.   The HICCA website is http://www.hicca.org.uk/ .

New local solar PV schemes available as the time runs out

There is a dash underway to get solar PV panels installed and registered before 31^st March 2012 when the key feed in tariff (FiT) subsidy will be reduced.  From 1^st April 2012, the starting rate of payment for electricity generated by new PV panel installations under 4 kWp will go down from the current 43.3 pence per kWh to 39.6 pence.  This lower rate will still be adjusted up each year for inflation and guaranteed for 25 years, and the investment return over 25 years on the post March schemes will still be pretty attractive.  But not as good as the rate of 7-8% or more on current installations, net of inflation and free of tax.  For more information on PV costs and returns, see http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/Generate-your-own-energy/Solar-electricity.

 Some local villages have now set up schemes for bulk buying and installation of PV panels which offer participants advantages of cheaper prices and some security of installation quality.  Two of these, in Coton and in Histon and Impington, are outlined below.  For more information either follow the links shown, or contact the Dry Drayton Green Group,(details at end).  The schemes in both villages are open to people living in the Dry Drayton area, and they seem to us worth following up if you are thinking about PV.  The villages are also developing supplementary community-based ‘rent-a-roof’ schemes to bring local investors and roof owners together – see later posts.

New local initiative on bulk buying and installing PV panels

You can reduce your domestic energy bills still further by generating your own heat and power at home.  Of the renewable energy systems currently on offer, photo-voltaic (PV) panels on the roof, which produce electricity, are currently the most attractive in financial terms.  There are already several such installations in the village, and you can get help and advice from the householders.  There is also a new initiative from our neighbouring village Coton, where the eCoton group is setting up a Bulk Purchase Group for PV and a Community Investment Scheme.  If you are thinking about PV for your own house, contact them on ecoton@hotmail.co.uk, or 01954 211033.