The policy gap between the feed-in tariff (FiT) and the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) is set to close by the end of 2019, guaranteeing payment for excess domestic solar generation. Details of the SEG have been much-awaited since the closure of the FiT at the end of March 2019, with concerns over a significant policy gap being raised by many in the industry. Today, the department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) revealed that suppliers must implement the SEG before 1 January 2020.
Solar Power Portal 10th June 2019 read more »
New solar homes and businesses creating and exporting electricity to the grid will be guaranteed a payment from suppliers under new laws to be introduced by the government this week. The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) will ensure small-scale electricity generators installing solar, wind or other forms of renewable generation with a capacity up to 5MW will be paid for each unit of electricity they sell to the grid – tracked by their smart meter. Residential solar panels are now over 50% cheaper than in 2011, and the SEG will build on the previous government subsidy scheme, which drove the installations of 850,000 small-scale renewable projects, but without passing on the cost to consumers. Encouraging suppliers to competitively bid for electricity will give households the best market price for their energy, while providing the local grid with more clean, green energy, as the UK bids to become a net zero emissions economy. Energy and clean growth minister, Chris Skidmore, said: “We want the energy market to innovate and it’s encouraging to see some suppliers already offering competitive export tariffs to reduce bills. We want more to follow suit, encouraging small-scale generation without adding to consumer bills, as we move towards a subsidy-free energy system and a net zero emissions economy.”
Infrastructure Intelligence 10th June 2019 read more »
UK government may step in to impose minimum price for solar power sold to the grid. The launch of the U.K. Smart Export Guarantee regime today failed to include a price floor – as predicted by trade body the STA – but the government did not rule out future intervention. Commercial customers, however, still have no way of securing payment for their excess power.
PV Magazine 10th June 2019 read more »
