Powering Homes News: page 50
- June 2024
BEAMA publishes policy recommendations for the next UK Government
BEAMA has published four policy priorities for the next UK Government covering grid investment, electricity markets, heating technologies and smart metering, ahead of the General Election on 4 July.
Citizens Advice publishes response to government consultation package on energy smart appliances standards
Citizens Advice has responded to three government consultations on standards for energy smart appliances and load control organisations, backing wider consumer protections for the load control sector.
ECIU report finds net zero upgrades could cut household energy imports by 80% by 2030
An Energy & Climate Intelligence Unit report says a household with EPC C efficiency, a heat pump and an electric vehicle could cut its annual imported energy from 17MWh in 2024 to 3.4MWh by 2030.
SolarEdge unveiled the NextGen 3PH Solution at Intersolar 2024
SolarEdge has unveiled a next-generation three-phase solar inverter and dedicated home battery for the European residential market, with availability expected in the second half of 2025.
CTSI warns energy-efficiency pledges undermined by lack of consumer confidence
The Chartered Trading Standards Institute has published polling showing that low awareness of funding and installers is holding back home energy-efficiency work, and has called for mandatory licensing of installers.
Which? warns EPCs are unreliable and calls for reform
Which? has published mystery shopping research finding that Energy Performance Certificates are often inaccurate and recommend costly improvements, and is calling on the next government to reform them.
Nesta publishes analysis of factors affecting heat pump cost parity with gas boilers
Nesta analysis published on 13 June 2024 quantifies how subsidies, levy rebalancing, wholesale prices, interest rates and efficiency each affect heat pump against gas boiler annual costs for a 2030 installation.
OVO and Hypervolt launch Charge Anytime integration
Hypervolt has announced that its home EV chargers are now compatible with OVO's Charge Anytime add-on, which charges at 7p per kWh and can be controlled from the Charge Anytime app.
Connect Direct integration raises instant approval rate to over 90%
UK Power Networks says linking its Smart Connect system to the Energy Networks Association's Connect Direct portal has lifted instant approval of domestic connection applications from 86% to over 90%.
Solar PV and battery storage removed from HES Grant and Loan scheme eligibility
From 6 June 2024 the Home Energy Scotland Grant and Loan scheme stopped accepting new referrals for solar PV and battery storage, ending support even when these were installed alongside a heat pump.
Cadent Foundation marks five years and publishes 2024 Impact Report
The Cadent Foundation has marked five years with an Impact Report showing over £3.3 million awarded in 2023, support for more than 35,000 people, and plans to double its reach.
Ed Miliband promises not to press ahead with 2035 boiler ban
Ed Miliband promised before taking office not to press ahead with a 2035 ban on gas boiler sales, leaving the phase out date for existing homes uncertain.
Electricity system operator to become National Energy System Operator
The electricity system operator for Great Britain is to become the National Energy System Operator in summer 2024, a change set out in the Energy Act 2023.
Freedom Heat Pumps and Baxi announce strategic partnership
Freedom Heat Pumps has chosen Baxi as a strategic distribution partner for its heat pump range, bringing together two businesses based less than two miles apart in Bamber Bridge, Lancashire.
Nesta and The MCS Foundation partnership to enhance GaHP website
Nesta and The MCS Foundation worked together in the first half of 2024 to develop and enhance the Get a Heat Pump website, after its beta launch drew more than 35,000 views in four months.
Rural uplift of £1,500 introduced for heat pump and energy efficiency grants
Home Energy Scotland has added a £1,500 rural uplift to its heat pump and energy efficiency grants, raising the maximum support for eligible rural and island homes to £9,000.
Grants and SchemesHeat PumpsScotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
Smart Charge and Nectar loyalty offer launched
Sainsbury's Smart Charge says it became the first EV charging service to offer loyalty benefits from a leading UK loyalty programme, letting drivers collect Nectar points while charging.
UPP PV module warranty became effective
Maxeon has published a utility-scale PV module warranty with an effective date of June 1, 2024, covering Performance 6 and Performance 7 modules under terms of 12/30 and 15/30 years.
- May 2024
Solar Energy Scotland welcomes removal of planning permission requirement for Scottish rooftop solar
Solar Energy Scotland has welcomed the removal of the need for planning permission for rooftop solar in Scotland, saying the change cuts red tape and will speed up deployment.
Rules and RegulationSolar PanelsScotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
Warranty conditions for RI-ENERGYFLOW-MIDI inverters issued
Rayleigh Instruments has published warranty conditions for its RI-ENERGYFLOW-MIDI inverters, giving a five year repair or replace term where the unit was installed by an MCS certified installer.
Lowcost Solutions Ltd recorded as inactive by Energy Ombudsman
The Energy Ombudsman has recorded the energy broker Lowcost Solutions Ltd as inactive, with a trading period that ended on 29 May 2024, and says it cannot review disputes about it.
Which? publishes policy paper calling for mandatory installer certification
Which? has called for mandatory certification of installers of low carbon heating, micro generation and insulation, plus government oversight of the schemes and a review of Trading Standards Services.
Scottish Government publishes planning circular 1/2024 on householder permitted development rights
The Scottish Government has published planning circular 1/2024, setting out the householder permitted development rights covering heat pumps, wind turbines, solar panels and biomass flues in Scotland.
Rules and RegulationScotland, Wales and Northern IrelandHeat Pumps
Public Accounts Committee publishes report on decarbonising home heating
The Committee of Public Accounts says progress on heat pump installations falls short of the government's ambition of 600,000 a year by 2028, with costs and confusion holding households back.
Titon launches HRV Cool Plus with integrated cooling module
Titon has launched the HRV Cool Plus, an MVHR unit with an integrated cooling module rated at up to 3.3kW, aimed at residential overheating where standard ventilation is not enough.
Changes to Permitted Development Rights for solar expected to come into effect in Scotland
Changes to permitted development rights for solar in Scotland, expected to take effect on Friday 24 May, remove the 50kW ceiling on rooftop installations and relax rules in conservation areas.
Rules and RegulationSolar PanelsScotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
Citizens Advice responds to Ofgem's call for input on the future of domestic price protection
Citizens Advice has told Ofgem that time-of-use tariffs expected after marketwide half hourly settlement bring new risks, and that default tariff consumers still need protection.
Rules and RegulationEnergy Bills and the Price CapEnergy Suppliers
Government publishes plan to empower and protect energy consumers
The government has published an 18 page plan setting out how it aims to empower and protect consumers in the retail energy market through greater transparency and competition.
Ofgem confirms energy price cap for July to September 2024
Ofgem has confirmed the energy price cap will fall by 7% from 1 July to 30 September 2024, giving a typical dual fuel direct debit household an annual bill of £1,568.
Ofgem price cap falls but bills remain far above pre-crisis levels
Analysis from the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit finds average annual dual fuel bills remain around 40 per cent, or £450, above pre-crisis levels even as the Ofgem price cap falls.
Energy Bills and the Price CapRules and RegulationStatistics