New dawn for PV solar panels
I’ve been crowing about the virtues of solar panels for fifteen years now. Today, we reached a moment I knew would always come. Subsidies are no longer required for PV solar panels (photovoltaic) to be financially viable.
A landmark moment for humanity. Energy consumers can now ‘go their own way’. Astute homeowners are leaving behind those still chasing their tails on ‘Switch’ sites. There’s no pride in finding the best energy deal anymore!
The golden age of cheap energy ended in 2005, and year-on-year energy costs have escalated to an average of £1,200 annually; this trend will continue indefinitely.
All dead money and why PV will become symbolic of “Taking Back Control”.
That price difference, if saved since 2005, could have purchased a PV solar panel installation today, with decades of free power still to come. A proud statement of a change in direction for your family. Pride comes with walking away and knowing your good for the next three decades. That’s what PV solar panels provide for their super-savvy owners.
Now that PV-power can stand proudly against traditional tariffs in the market, there is no need for governmental subsidies, so receiving a reasonable payment (or equivalent kWh) for exports to the grid is just a bonus. In this exciting post-subsidy era, we expect to see the rise of small/medium-sized installations as consumers shift towards self-consumption instead of being wholly reliant on expensively-priced traditional energy.
PV’s export payments are only a fraction of the bonanza that owners enjoy today, especially with the rise of electric vehicles ahead. It does seem counterintuitive to focus on it; as of previous years. Much more useful are the payments for self-generated power that is USED by the householder. – The HUGE reduction in their energy costs through PV-generated hot water, EV-charging, and nighttime usage with battery storage should be focal for homeowners.
I’m predicting a rise in the green pound (advertising aimed at people with more disposable income due to PV) and discontent from home renters who can’t benefit from this technology.
The issue of nuclear power that has been subsidised in the UK now for approx 60yrs, and when Hinkley Point C comes online, it will get a subsidy of approx 5p/kWh (CfD strike price of £100/MWh less the wholesale price of approx £50/MWh) for 35yrs.
Hinkley Point C is going to hurt those still wholly reliant on traditional sources. For context, PV incentives began in April 2010, so in just nine years, solar technology has become self-sufficient even without mentioning the extra plugin technologies available today.
PV will produce more kWh in 2019 than coal. Yes, In the UK! However, we’re always behind Germany who’ve declared an end to coal by 2038. Germany also added an additional 3 gigawatts of PV-generation in 2018, about 68% more than the previous year due to lower costs.
A vision for Brexit Britain perhaps?
The good news is that current gas plants can act as standby/backup for alternatives coming online moving forward or in case they are ever needed. A future worth fighting for in the end.
Subsidy-free solar parks break in the UK
The “economic engine” is the renewables sector that’s not realised yet.
Key barriers facing the solar industry are coming down and finally bringing about a level playing field in 2019.
PV’s thirty years operational lifespan tips the scales in favour of solar panels today. Remuneration for electricity generated and supplied to the grid will continue to receive export payments with the Smart Export Guarantee as the feed-in tariff gets replaced this year.
Industries across the world operate with PV and without any form of subsidy too.
Take Nottingham City Council that is set to expand its innovative retrofitting program including battery storage. Nottingham made an ambitious pledge to become the UK’s first carbon-neutral city. Also, the Norfolk council is installing a 150 kW PV array to cut its use of grid-supplied power by around 40%, freeing up cash for other purposes.
Your local Premier Inn will soon generate power with PV with battery storage in a partnership with E.ON as are Amazon and B&Q stores around the UK. Also, 900MW of solar projects in the UK (and counting) is developing the future of energy with utility-scale solar projects to develop subsidy-free solar parks over the next few years.
Shell Oil has teamed up with developer Anesco on the first utility-scale Battery Farm in the UK.
All Budweiser brewed and sold in the UK will sport a new symbol signifying their 100% renewable electricity operations from 2020. All profit-conscious business’s viewing PV solar panels as integral for their future operations. Solar adoption is breaking out of its traditional restraints worldwide!
Time to take a fresh look at a PV installation for your home too.
Maybe?