Guardian: “Householders will be able to claim hundreds of pounds a year for green heating technologies such as solar hot water systems from next year under a flagship renewable energy scheme. But Guardian analysis shows that despite the increases in the government payment levels announced on Friday, it will still take decades to recoup the upfront costs of installing these technologies.” “Under the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI), homeowners will be paid for energy generated by solar thermal panels, biomass boilers and heat pumps that they install in their homes at their own cost.
When initial tariffs were announced last September, the Guardian estimated it would take 20 years for owners of houses that are heated by oil to recoup their initial outlay on a £3,000 solar thermal unit. Under new tariffs, which will become available in the spring, owners could receive around £220 for the first seven years, in addition to savings of around £80 a year on their bills – meaning payback would come in 18 rather than 20 years. Savings for houses heated by gas would be significantly less.
The tariff levels were set at 7.3p/kWh for air source heat pumps; 12.2p/kWh for biomass boilers; 18.8p/kWh for ground source heat pumps and at least 19.2 p/kWh for solar thermal. Those figures are largely in line or modestly higher than the indicative ranges published last year, of 6.9-11.5p, 5.2-8.7p, 12.5-17.3p and 17.3p, respectively.”
When initial tariffs were announced last September, the Guardian estimated it would take 20 years for owners of houses that are heated by oil to recoup their initial outlay on a £3,000 solar thermal unit. Under new tariffs, which will become available in the spring, owners could receive around £220 for the first seven years, in addition to savings of around £80 a year on their bills – meaning payback would come in 18 rather than 20 years. Savings for houses heated by gas would be significantly less.
The tariff levels were set at 7.3p/kWh for air source heat pumps; 12.2p/kWh for biomass boilers; 18.8p/kWh for ground source heat pumps and at least 19.2 p/kWh for solar thermal. Those figures are largely in line or modestly higher than the indicative ranges published last year, of 6.9-11.5p, 5.2-8.7p, 12.5-17.3p and 17.3p, respectively.”
