As an energy supply company, here's what we think at Good Energy:

http://good-energy.typepad.com/greenenergyrepublic/feed-in-tariffs/

The Government has proposed that from April 2010, anyone who is generating renewable energy (under 5MW) should be paid for everything they generate, including the units they use themselves.

Good Energy has been doing this for years with its HomeGen scheme, but the Government’s proposals take it to a whole new level. Dealing not just with micro-generation, but all the way up to a medium sized wind farm.

From April 2010, anyone who generates electricity will be eligible to claim a Feed-in Tariff from their energy supplier. Final prices are still to be decided, but many Good Energy customers who decide to install generation at their property – solar panels or a wind turbine, for example --could well see Good Energy paying them, rather than them paying Good Energy! (Don’t worry, there will be a mechanism where Good Energy gets compensated by the other suppliers.)
As ever, there are one or two flies in the ointment. There is concern that existing generators may receive a lower rate than new installations; in fact the government is proposing 9p/kWh which does not sit well with our current HomeGen customers currently receiving 15p/kWh. The Government is also proposing a minimum export price guaranteed for 20 years. We oppose this on two grounds, Firstly it may incentivise people to install export meters when the costs will outweigh the income, and secondly, Good Energy is already offering a competitive rate to exporters, and if the ‘big 6’ are made to offer uncompetitive rates then we will have to offer more and charge our customers more. Our import customers lose out. We are talking to Government on this at many levels.

On the whole though, we welcome the plans and are working hard to ensure the scheme works for our customers and our generators. We certainly intend to be best in class, and at the moment envisage providing new generation products that are the best around, and facilitating ways in which our customers can get involved, with our website www.generateyourown.co.uk offering impartial advice, and our shop www.goodenergyshop.co.uk providing a route for purchasing and getting installed the relevant bits of kit.

Our vision of people and communities providing their own power in their own communities is moving ever closer. Think about it, your energy provider paying you! Maybe you should consider what you can do.

p.s. In 2011, the government intends to launch a similar thing for renewable heat. Bit like our HotRocs scheme launched last year. Come on Government, catch up!

The figures on this page are lower than they should be.

Please update this form. It comes up right at the top of a Google search for "feed in tariff rates" and needs to have the correct figures. Let's not put people off by giving them low figures.

For the correct figures see page 47 of: http://www.decc.gov.uk/Media/viewfile.ashx?FilePath=Consultations\Renewable%20Electricity%20Financial%20Incentives\1_20100204120204_e_@@_FITsconsultationresponseandGovdecisions.pdf&filetype=4

Aldous