Latest News
Department for Energy and Climate Change - written ministerial statement Feed-in Tariffs
, 28 days ago
Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change (Rt Hon Chris Huhne MP): As the House will be aware, the Government’s proposed changes to the Feed-in Tariffs (FITs) scheme are the subject of a judicial review. Specifically, the Government has been challenged regarding its proposal to apply new tariffs for solar photovoltaics (PV) from 1 April 2012 to all new installations with an eligibility date on or after an earlier “reference date”, which we proposed should be 12 December 2012.
Yesterday, the Court of Appeal handed down a negative judgment on the Government’s appeal against an earlier decision by the High Court. We respectfully disagree with the judgment and are seeking permission to appeal to the Supreme Court. In the light of that, we cannot rule out the possibility that lower tariffs could be applied to installations which became eligible for FITs on or after the proposed reference date. It is important that consumers are aware of this.
The reason for appealing is that we want to maximise the number of installations that are possible within the available budget for FITs, rather than use available money to pay a higher tariff to half the number of installations. Solar PV can have strong and vibrant future in UK and we want a lasting FITs scheme to support that future and jobs in the industry.
We have already put before Parliament draft licence modifications that (subject to the Parliamentary process) would bring a 21p rate into effect from April for solar PV installations which become eligible for FITs on or after 3 March, to help reduce the pressure on the budget and provide as much certainty as we can for consumers and industry.
In the meantime, we want as far as possible to minimise the uncertainty for PV and other technologies eligible for support under FITs. We are therefore still intending to publish the phase 2 consultation by 9 February. This will include proposed tariffs for other FITs technologies and a set of reform proposals for the scheme. We are also intending to publish the Government’s response to the other aspects of the phase 1 consultation that are not affected by the Judicial Review (namely the proposals on energy efficiency and for multi-installation tariff rates).
26th January 2012
Court of Appeal rejects Government Appeal
, 29 days ago
The Court of Appeal has just confirmed that they have rejected the Government appeal to overturn the High Court ruling. The basis of the Court of Appeal ruling was that under the Energy Act 2008 the Government does not have the power to change the feed-in tariff rates retrospectively, and therefore any change must come after the process of consultation and then Parliamentary Procedure taking 40 days.
This is crucial as it means Government does not have the power to reduce FIT rates retrospectively, or in the middle of a consultation in the future – and was the whole reason behind the court case in the first place.
However, while the Appeal was rejected, the Government were awarded permission, on the grounds that this Judgement was slightly different to that of the High Court. This means they can seek a further Appeal at the Supreme Court – and they have asked the Court of Appeal for permission to appeal. We will know whether they receive it in the next few days.
What does this mean for tariff rates?
This does not affect the Government's proposal to cut rates for systems installed after 3rd March 2012, because that reduction has followed the correct procedure with regulations being tabled in Parliament already, and the cut coming after the 40 day period required by law.
There is still some uncertainty about rates paid on installations fitted between 12/12/2011 and 3/3/2012 because it is not yet clear whether the Government will allowed its appeal. However, the minimum tariff that people installing in this period will get is 21p, and if Government’s Appeal is unsuccessful or should they decide to withdraw it, then they would get the 43.3p rate (for a sub 4kW system).
A comment from your Chairman.
There is speculation that Government will appeal to prolong the uncertainty in the hope it will put some consumers off - but no doubt DECC will be setting that against the political damage done to them by yet another defeat and the image of a Government refusing to accept it has got it wrong and working to make amends.
The process going forward is that Government has formally asked the Appeal Court for permission to take this matter to the Supreme Court. This however does not necessarily mean Ministers have decided it will do so - at the moment they may simply be keeping the option open. The Appeal Court judges will make a decision on whether to grant permission in the next few days - if it is granted, the case can go to the Supreme Court. If permission is refused the Government would still have the fall back option of applying to the Supreme Court itself for permission to appeal. But this would add a further step in the process - and at each step the chances of success for Ministers recede a little further.
Quoted from a briefing by The Solar Trade Association on 25/01/12
The Solar Trade Association is affiliated to the Renewable Energy Association www.solar-trade.org.uk
Healthier via Hybrid
, 4 months ago
Read Anthony Morgan's article for The Public Service Review: Central Government, issue 23.
He shares his thoughts on the factors needed for new, home-grown innovation to succeed and contribute towards carbon saving.........
Download: public_services_review_article.pdf
Wholebuild
, 4 months ago
Wholebuild is a very useful website filled with the latest information on inspirational, innovative and sustainable building solutions. Wholebuild.co.uk also features several areas dedicated to Microgeneration and Energy Provision.
Newform Energy Insite 11 Runner Up
, 4 months ago
The Insite 11 event delivered by BRE was a two day exhibition of over fifty refurbishment innovations that aim to transform the retrofit arena. The area showcases ideas and products on how to revitalise buildings and communities, in order to create spaces that are great to live in and conducive to long term occupant well-being.
Newform Energy was a runner-up in The Innovation Zone competition run by the exhibition which aimed to showcase exemplary technologies. Over thirty companies were invited to take place in the competition and visitors to the zone were asked to vote for their preferred innovation. The zone provided a lively and interactive forum to explore the new innovations that can be applied to the challenge of retrofit.
Newform Energy are very proud to be associated with this event and invite you to take a look at their ‘sticky room’ created for the exhibition. The room is an interactive area where you can find information on The Hybrid Solar Solution as well as ask questions.
Newform Energy - Finalists in The Renewable Energy Infrastructure Awards
, 5 months ago
The inaugural Renewable Energy Infrastructure Awards, organised by the leading trade publications New Civil Engineer (NCE) and Materials Recycling Week (MRW) have announced the shortlist for the inaugural Renewable Energy Infrastructure Awards.
This year there are 14 categories which recognise and reward the finance, delivery and success of all new infrastructure projects and facilities, within the renewable energy sector.
Newform Energy has been shortlisted for 'The Best New Technology' award.
The awards, evaluated by an independent panel of industry experts, will be announced on November 10, at the prestigious, 5-star Royal Garden Hotel, Kensington, London
The Renewable Energy Infrastructure Awards present an exciting opportunity to champion achievement across the entire renewables sector.
For more information on The Renewable Energy Infrastructure Awards
click on the link below
http://www.reiawards.com/RenewableEnergyInfrastructureAwards2011
Additional Case Studies
, 9 months ago
We have finally got around to adding a few more case studies and photographs... the list is by no means complete, but there are at least a few more to look at.
Please bear with us while we continue to update this section of the website
New presentation
, 11 months ago
Anthony Morgan gave a presentation at the Newform Energy PVT Installation Explored course in conjunction with Bricks And Bread on Monday 28th of March.
We have attached the presentation for your information.
Download: pvt-explored-definitive.pptx
Hybrid Solar Solution Demonstration Video
, 12 months ago
We have produced a demonstration video to compare solar collectors, photovoltaics and the Hybrid Solar Solution. Let us know what you think of it.
Telegraph Feature
, 12 months ago
We have also been featured on The Telegraph website as one of Kevin McCloud's green heroes. Kevin covers our PVT panels and names us as one of his ten heroes.
An Introduction To The Hybrid Solar Solution
, 12 months ago
Nigel Wakefield, Commercial Director of Newform Energy has written an
incisive report for Modern Energy Review titled "An Introduction To
The Hybrid Solar Solution".
It is available to read at the Touch Oil And gas website.
Modern Energy Review can be seen at www.modernenergyreview.com.
Homebuilding and Renovating magazine writes about PV-T
, about 1 year ago
Many thanks to Homebuilding and Renovating magazine and to the author, Tim Pullen, for publishing this article: www.homebuilding.co.uk/feature/solar-panels-next-generation.
We were unaware that this article was being written and published and therefore cannot attest to the accuracy of the contents, although it certainly appears to be factually correct for the most part.
We have been wondering whether Tim referenced the wrong company that "has linked its system to a heat pump to amplify the winter hot water production to useful levels", since this is precisely the solution we launched back in October. For further details, please see our Hybrid Solar Solution.
We received verbal confirmation on 13th January that BSRIA (www.bsria.co.uk/services/testing/standard-testing/heat-pumps) has completed testing of our water/water heat pump, which is designed to work in concert with our PV-T system, using the panels' liquid circuit as its heat source.
The test results apparently show even greater COP efficiency than we had expected - we now believe that we have one of the most efficient domestic heat pump solutions available in the UK, unrivalled in its ability to produce high output temperatures at high COP and all at a cost more commonly associated with cheaper and far less efficient air-source.
Watch this space for further details, as we await the full official report
Launch of the Hybrid Solar Solution
, over 1 year ago
"Brilliantly simple, and simply brilliant" to paraphrase one customer.
The new "Hybrid Solar Solution" was launched with great success at the Big Green Home Show in Swindon from 29th to 31st October. Customer feedback was overwhelmingly positive for this unique and innovative but very simple and efficient solution.
We have combined our PowerVolt PV-T panels with a bespoke water/water heat pump to create a solar-based hybrid electricity, domestic hot water and heating solution.
The system works harmoniously; the solar thermal pre-heat feeds into the heat pump in winter at an average temperature of 19 to 20 degrees centigrade, giving the heat pump an operational COP of 4.0 (or higher), while the cold reverse flow from the heat pump feeds back into the PV-T array, reducing panel surface temperature and boosting electricity output.
With 6 KW output the heat pump, when combined with an adequate thermal store, is sufficiently powerful to handle the heating load of most medium-sized, reasonably-insulated homes, and is designed to work with a PV-T array of 2.5 to 5.0 KW electrical peak output (13 to 26 panels)
We recognise that 6 KW of heat is probably overkill for certain types of house; we are therefore commissioning a smaller version of the current pump which will work better with smaller PV-T arrays of 1.15 to 2.66 KW electrical peak output (6 to 14 panels) or with homes with very high levels of insulation (Code 5 and 6).
As a result of the great success of the show, traffic has increased massively through the website. We aim to respond to all emails and enquiries in a timely fashion, and we assess and design each individual project to a customer's bespoke renewable energy requirements . During this very busy time it is possible that there may be a small delay in response - please bear with us, and, if your requirements are relatively urgent, please consider using the telephone rather than email to make contact.
New Heat Pump Developments
, over 1 year ago
Newform Energy is about to launch an exciting, innovative and unique new product - a high efficiency, low cost heat pump, which, in concert with our hybrid PV-T panels, can supply your year-round heating and hot water needs on a carbon neutral basis.
Not only can your future heating needs be met at little to no cost in carbon emissions, but you will also be paid for the electricity and heat your system generates with tax-free and RPI-linked revenues from the Feed In Tariff and Renewable Heat Incentive.
Interested? Watch this space for more news or contact us on info@newformenergy.com for further details.
Carbon Neutral Heating System Tests Complete
, over 1 year ago
Newform Energy and Kool Engineering have completed testing of a new combined heat and power system which promises to be a revolutionary development in the UK heating market. The test results from the climate-controlled test facilities at Enertek International have been exceptionally promising, with potentially market-leading performance on a cost/efficiency basis.
Test data suggest that a fully-developed system will have an average Coefficiency of Performance (COP) in excess of 4, which would compete at the highest levels of ground source heat outputs with a similar cost base. Moreover, net electricity production is expected to be sufficient to offset running costs over the course of a year, thereby making the new system essentially carbon neutral. Unlike other CHP systems available on the market there is no fuel input cost, since the fuel source is solar.
Newform And Kool Engineering Announce Launch Date
, over 1 year ago
The official launch date for the first versions of the Newform Energy and Kool Engineering carbon neutral heating system has been announced. They will be unveiling their next generation solution to the public at the Big Green Home Show in October at the National Self Build and Renovation Centre in Swindon.
Newform Energy Awarded MCS Accreditation
, over 1 year ago
Newform Energy has final been gained a place on the MCS list of approved products for its Volther Hybrid PV-T solar panels under the “Transition Scheme”. Customers installing the Newform Energy combined heat and power solar panels are now eligible to claim for payments under the new Feed in Tariffs (FiTs).
Newform Energy At Grand Designs Live
, almost 2 years ago
Newform Energy are proud to have been presented with the accolade as one of Kevin McCloud's 10 Green Heroes for the forward thinking innovation of PVT. Visit our exhibition space in the hall of fame at the Grand Designs Live Exhibition at the Excel in London to see one our PVT panels and learn more about us. The exhibition runs from 1-9 May at the Excel conference centre. www.granddesignslive.com
Anthony Morgan MD of Newform is guest speaker at the Big Debate at the Grand Designs Live Exhibition on Saturday the 8th May.
Above: Our MD Anthony Morgan and Kevin McCloud at Grand Designs Green Heroes Awards.
