Create your own clean electricity and benefit from super-lucrative Government Feed-in-Tariff
With growing concern on saving our environment and increasing public awareness on renewable energy, RGE Services Ltd offer the design and installation of Solar Photovoltaic (PV) panel systems, for Households and Commercial enterprises. These installs are eligible for the new Government Feed-In Tariff. Guaranteed for 25 years, index linked and tax free for domestic properties. Most households will make a risk-free profit of £20,000 over the 25 years while enjoying lower electricity bills. If you leave your cash in the bank you’ll get 1-2 %, with solar you’ll get 8-10%, Find out more on how the Feed in Tariff can provide you with a risk free investment and save you from future energy price rises.
- Earn up to £1,450 a year tax free for producing your own electricity
- The tariffs are tax free, index-linked and guaranteed for 25 years
- Benefit from lower electricity bills- save up to 50%
- Feed unused electricity back to grid and earn more!
- Tailored systems to suit all needs and requirements
- Strong links with all leading manufacturers including BP Solar; Sharp; Schuco; Sanyo and more!
- All Panels installed with manufacturers guarantee of 25 years
- Save around 40% of your households yearly electricity
- Save around 1 tonne of Co2 a year
- Make a great return from your roof!
Case studies here
FAQ and Answers
Q. What is a solar PV system?
A Solar PV system consists of solar panels (modules), cables connecting the modules, an inverter to transfer electricity generated directly into your home and to the electricity grid. System components come with extensive warranties; product guarantees and RGE Services Ltd installation/workmanship.
Q. How does a solar PV system work?
Solar PV panels generate electricity using the energy from the sun. The panels produce energy from daylight, not direct sunlight, so they still produce energy on cloudy or overcast days. An inverter converts the electricity from direct to alternating current, for use in the home.
Q. What is the feed-in tariff and why has it been implemented?
The Feed-in Tariff is a scheme backed by the UK Government that guarantees to pay you a fixed amount for every unit of electricity you produce through your Solar PV system, this payment applies to EVERY unit whether you use it in your home or not. It was introduced as one method by which the government could reduce their carbon footprint. Payments are tax free; guaranteed for 25 years; and RPI index linked.
Q. What exactly do I get paid for?
You can earn a fixed income for every kilowatt hour of electricity you generate and use in your property. And you can also earn an additional fixed income for every kilowatt hour of electricity you generate and export back to the grid. You will also benefit from lower electricity bills as you will be using your own electricity generated rather than receiving it all from the grid.
Q. Who pays me for the feed-in tariff?
The energy suppliers pay the feed-in tariffs to those who generate the clean electricity. When you apply for the feed-in tariff, you should ask your energy supplier how and when payments will be made. Payments will be made at least quarterly. RGE Services Ltd again can administer this for you; we will fill in these forms with you explaining what each criteria means. This is a part of our full circle service to our customers.
Q. Will I qualify for the Feed-in tariff?
As a Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) accredited company using MCS approved products, all the systems we install qualify for the Feed in Tariffs. Therefore you can apply for the Feed-in tariff from your electricity supplier once your Solar PV system is installed.
Q. Will my Feed-in tariff rate change over the years?
The rate you are eligible for in the year you install your system will be the rate you will receive for the duration of the 25 year contract. As an added benefit, the Feed-in Tariffs are RPI index related therefore your rate can increase in line with inflation.
Q. How long is the pay-back time on my investment?
This will depend on factors such as the performance of your system and electricity costs but it is thought to take around 10 years for the system to start earning you profit. It is important to remember that a system is for 25 years and so the remaining years will be index- linked tax free profit. Current inflation is higher than interest rates and investments are devaluing. Energy prices are set to continue to rise; pay-back times are therefore significantly reduced.
Q. Do I need planning permission?
Solar PV installations are authorised as ‘permitted development’ in the UK and are therefore not subject to planning permission. In certain circumstances, such as if you live in a conservation area; listed property or in an area of ‘outstanding natural beauty’ it is advised to speak with your local planning authority as some restrictions may apply. This is something RGE Services Ltd can do for you in our step-by-step service provided. More info can also be found at planningportal.gov.uk.
Q. How do I know if my roof is in a fit condition to support the Solar panels?
Though it is unlikely that your roof will not be strong enough to support a Solar PV system, it is recommended that you survey your roof to provide confirmation of this. RGE Services Ltd now offers a complete and comprehensive RICS approved (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) roof survey. This will provide piece of mind and confirm to your council’s building control that your system has been designed in accordance to your property structure, ensuring its durability for the lifetime of a panel which is over 30 years. A certificate of inspection will be issued.
Q. How will I know how much I am earning from the Feed-in-Tariff or of the performance of my system?
RGE Services Ltd can supply you a monitoring meter that enables you to monitor the power generated and , at the same time track the income generated from your system and much more. We currently offer monitoring displays such as the wireless sunnybeam device which produces a complete breakdown of your system; including graphs and fuel savings. You can quite literally sit back, put your feet up as your investments pays off.
Q. Do I have to have a south facing roof to benefit from a Solar PV installation?
With technology constantly advancing in the industry, modern solar panels are designed so that the efficiency is not massively impaired even if conditions are not perfect. As part of our FREE no obligation quote we will carry out the survey and provide you with the statistics giving you a good indication of what return you can expect given the orientation of your property and the pitch of your roof.
Q. How about roof space?
Ideally you’ll need at least 16m of roof space within 90° of facing due south and which ideally receives direct sunlight for most part of the day.
Q. What is a kilowatt peak (kWp)?
Kilowatt peak refers to the value of power generated by a solar panel system under full solar radiation (under set Standard Test Conditions). Solar radiation of 1,000 watts per square meter is used to define standard conditions. In the UK, one kilowatt peak of solar will generate roughly 850 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year.
Q. Are the panels subject to VAT?
The standard rate of VAT applies to businesses. However, to encourage domestic uptake of renewable energy, a VAT rate of 5% is applied. Though the panels are subject to this reduced 5% rate, any payments you receive are not.
Q. How much roof space do the panels require?
As a guide, enough panels to produce, say, 1 kW of energy would require approximately 10m2 of roof space.
Q. What guarantees apply to my Solar PV system?
Your Feed-in-Tariff payments are guaranteed for 25 years after installation. Solar panels from RGE Services Ltd carry a 25 year performance guarantee. The RGE Services Ltd workmanship guaranteed is valid for a full 5 years. All other installed parts are also guaranteed for 5 years.
Q. What is the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS)?
The MCS is an independent certification scheme accredited by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS), which assesses installer companies and products against robust standards. It enables the provision of accurate forecasts of energy outputs to generators as well as a level of consumer protection which meets the Office of Fair Trading requirements. The MCS database records installations and the MCS work with Gemserv to develop and administer Solar PV in the UK. Certification to the MCS standards is a requirement of the government’s Feed-in Tariff scheme.
Q. What is the REAL scheme and does RGE Services Ltd abide by it?
The REAL Assurance scheme was set up by the Renewable Energy Association (REA); the UK’s leading trade association. The consumer code within the scheme sets out clearly that a customer expects that goods and services supplied perform correctly, and meet the quality standards you would reasonably expect. The code safeguards consumers and sets out what a company can and cannot do. RGE Services Ltd is a responsible, customer focused company and we are proud to display the REAL logo and adhere to all the provisions in its consumer code.
Q. Is the cost of electricity rising?
Yes, and rising industry costs mean that suppliers will continue to increase their prices. E.ON has increased their prices by 9% this year (2011) adding around £42 per year extra to the household electricity bill. British Gas, within a year has raised its electricity prices by 25%. EDF, Scottish Power, npower and Scottish & Southern Energy are amongst the other growing number of suppliers who have all recently raised their energy prices. According to consumer groups, household energy bills could reach £2,000 a year over the next ten years!
Q. What if I want to sell my house?
A Solar PV system is a very desirable addition to any home. You will start receiving quarterly payments from your electricity provider almost immediately after your system has been registered. Payments are guaranteed for 25 years and are transferable to the new owner, making your home a very attractive proposition to any prospective buyer and might well tip the balance in favour of your home where buyers have two similar homes to choose from.
Q. What is the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)?
EPCs are part of the Home Information Pack that the vast majority of house- sellers must now provide by law. Using an A-G rating, where A is the best, it tells your buyer about the energy performance of your house. EPCs also rate your home’s impact on the environment through its carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. 66% of people believe that in light of the current economic climate, homebuyers are more likely to consider the EPC to get a property with lower running costs AND 78% of people agree that a ‘poor’ energy rating could lead to buyers haggling down the price of the property (Energy Saving Trust Research). Installing a RGE services solar PV system will therefore improve and increase the energy performance of your house, thus increasing its monetary and environmental value.
Q. What maintenance is required for my PV system?
PV modules are self cleaning when mounted at an angle above 16 degrees. Solar PV systems don’t have moving parts to wear out and all components have extensive warranties. RGE Services Ltd offer system checkups by maintenance schedule or upon customer request.
