Powering Homes News: page 51
- May 2024
PDR changes intended to come into force
Scottish Ministers have laid a statutory instrument changing permitted development rights for solar panels, heat pumps, windows and electricity network infrastructure, intended to come into force on 24 May 2024.
New permitted development classes introduced for domestic solar, wind and windows in Scotland
Scotland has replaced its permitted development class for domestic wind turbines and added new classes covering solar panels, solar thermal and window alterations, in force from 24 May 2024.
Rules and RegulationScotland, Wales and Northern IrelandSolar Panels
Scottish permitted development rights for rooftop solar come into force
Rooftop solar panels in Scotland no longer need planning permission after the Scottish Government's permitted development overhaul came into force on 24 May 2024, removing the previous 50kW limit.
Rules and RegulationSolar PanelsScotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
Boiler Upgrade Scheme marks second anniversary with applications up 93% year-on-year
Applications to the Boiler Upgrade Scheme rose 93% in April 2024 compared with April 2023, as the scheme marked its second anniversary with more than £148 million paid out.
SMMT releases analysis on UK EV model availability and market trends
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders reports 102 battery electric car models on sale in the UK, up from 16 in 2014, and calls for tax changes to lift demand.
Hive Solar Saver offer launched
Hive made its Solar Saver offer available from 22 May 2024 to customers accepting a quote for a Hive solar or battery installation, giving a 25% discount on imported electricity unit rates for 12 months.
Grant categories and grant levels list added for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme
The government has added a list of approved grant categories and grant levels to its published Boiler Upgrade Scheme regulations page, setting out what the Secretary of State has approved under the scheme rules.
Ideal Heating introduces HP290 heat pump
Ideal Heating has announced the HP290, its first domestic air source heat pump to use R290 refrigerant, claiming a seasonal coefficient of performance rating of over 500 per cent.
NEA responds to DESNZ call for evidence on default energy tariffs
National Energy Action has told the government that the price cap's consumer benefits should be kept while reform tackles multi-rate meters and a social tariff is consulted on.
Government states Future Homes Standard will come into force in 2025
The government confirmed in a written statement on 15 May 2024 that the Future Homes Standard will come into force in 2025, with rooftop solar to be encouraged in new homes.
HES Grant and Loan Scheme changes approved
The Scottish Government has confirmed that changes to the Home Energy Scotland Grant and Loan Scheme, including ending new funding for solar panels and batteries, were approved on 15 May 2024.
Grants and SchemesScotland, Wales and Northern IrelandWhere to Start
Andersen EV units purchased on or after 14 May 2024 carry a 7 year warranty
Andersen EV has set a seven year warranty on charge points bought from 14 May 2024, with earlier units keeping three years and pre-administration units having no contractual cover.
Andersen introduces 7-year warranty on all new home charger installations
Andersen has introduced a seven-year warranty as standard on all new home charge point installations, covering units supplied from 14 May 2024, including those fitted by third parties.
Energy Heroes Ltd ceased trading
The Energy Ombudsman has recorded Energy Heroes Ltd, an energy broker, as inactive, with its membership of the ombudsman scheme ending on 14 May 2024.
Ofgem opens consultation on energy price cap operating cost allowances review
Ofgem has opened a consultation on how it sets the operating cost allowances inside the energy price cap, covering core costs, debt, smart metering and industry charges, with responses due by 14 June 2024.
Zapmap suspends EV energy tariff comparison service
Zapmap has suspended its EV energy tariff comparison service, saying it will resume when appropriate, leaving drivers without one route to compare off-peak charging rates.
Consumer Scotland publishes response to Ofgem Future Price Protection discussion paper
Consumer Scotland has published its response to Ofgem's Future Price Protection discussion paper, urging the regulator to place consumer outcomes at the centre of any reform of the energy price cap.
Retrofit Roundtable urges Scottish Government to act on retrofit recommendations
The Retrofit Roundtable, backed by SNIPEF and 12 industry partners, has published a report urging the Scottish Government to act quickly on retrofit so Scotland meets its net-zero and fuel poverty targets.
Scotland, Wales and Northern IrelandRules and RegulationWhere to Start
ECIU report finds real-life fuelling costs of top-selling PHEVs exceed claims by £500 a year
Analysis by the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit finds the UK's ten best-selling plug-in hybrid cars cost about £500 a year more to fuel in real-world driving than their manufacturers claim.
EPC insulation recommendation requirement removed
The requirement for homes to have no outstanding loft and cavity wall insulation recommendations on their Energy Performance Certificate before receiving a Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant was removed on 8 May 2024.
First Warm Home Prescription trial with an energy supplier launched with ScottishPower
Energy Systems Catapult has launched the first Warm Home Prescription trial run with an energy supplier, with ScottishPower installing efficiency measures at no cost to households through the Energy Company Obligation.
Pod Point launches Solo 3S home EV charger with solar integration
Pod Point has launched the Solo 3S home EV charger, adding solar charging modes that let drivers use excess solar power alone or topped up from the grid.
Andersen A3 charge point launched
Andersen EV launched its A3 home charge point in May 2024, a compact unit with a hidden cable that has since collected design and product awards and a colour collaboration with paint brand COAT.
Andersen A3 home charger launched
Andersen launched its A3 home charger in May 2024 with a seven-year warranty, the longest the company says is available on any home charge point, covering the unit and ancillary parts.
Big Energy Credit Claim Back campaign launched
The Warm This Winter coalition's Big Energy Credit Claim Back campaign drew more than 20,000 sign-ups and an average reclaim of £330, as polling found 68 per cent of bill payers want credit returned automatically.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme extended to April 2028 with additional £1.5 billion
The government has extended the Boiler Upgrade Scheme to April 2028 and added £1.5 billion of funding over three years, according to Ofgem's annual report on the scheme it replaced.
British Gas launches You Pay: We Pay bill-matching scheme
British Gas has launched You Pay: We Pay, a £15m scheme that matches the affordable energy payments of eligible customers for six months from June 2024.
char.gy installs its 3,000th public charging point
char.gy has installed its 3,000th public charging point, with new charge points going live at a rate of around 400 per month, according to figures published by Zapmap.
Connect Direct digital platform went live
The Energy Networks Association has confirmed its Connect Direct platform, a standardised digital application system for low carbon technology installations, went live as of May 2024.
First phase of Warm Homes, Healthy Futures begins
National Energy Action has begun the first phase of Warm Homes, Healthy Futures, a multi-year fuel poverty and health programme across England, Wales and Scotland, backed by the four gas distribution networks.