With the Green Deal scheme being simplified and starting to gather momentum, the domestic RHI launching in the Spring and renewables maintaining popularity in the UK, 2014 is the perfect year to expand into the renewables and energy efficiency markets, according to Napit.
The latest Green Deal statistics show 129,842 assessments have been carried out up to the end of December [1]. This comes at a time when the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) has announced the scheme is to be improved and simplified for consumers [2]. These proposed changes include launching a new online tool for consumers, improving the Green Deal Advice Report by making it clearer and introducing a £1000 stamp duty rebate for all new householders who make Green Deal approved energy efficiency improvements.
As well as the energy efficiency market receiving a boost through the Green Deal, the renewables industry is seeing a boost as the Feed In Tariffs (FITs) are also seeing positive take up in the UK. According to the latest figures, at the end of December 2013 just over 2.2 GW of installed capacity was confirmed on the FIT scheme, totalling 448,222 installations [3].
It is quite possible incentives such as the FIT scheme could be a contributing factor to the recent public support for the use of renewables, as well as the recent coverage about ‘keeping the lights on’, energy bills and questions over the security of energy supply. From the latest DECC public attitudes survey, around three quarters (76%) of people continue to support the use of renewables in the UK [4].
These trends from 2013 are not likely to dwindle in 2014, especially with the arrival of the domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) in Spring [5]. The domestic RHI is designed to drive uptake of renewable heat technologies in homes across Great Britain to cut carbon, help meet renewables targets and save householders money on their bills.
Managing director of Napit Certification, David Cowburn, said: “So much positivity is evident in these industries at the moment, it is quite likely 2014 could be the year of renewables and energy efficiency. With Greg Barker announcing in Parliament he believes renewable heat installations will increase to approximately 35,000 installations in 2014-15, as a result of the domestic RHI scheme [6], this shows the government’s commitment.
Therefore, now is a great time for installers to place themselves in the ideal position to take advantage of this by gaining the correct qualifications and becoming certified under MCS and Green Deal. A lot of business is set to be generated through renewables and energy efficiency measures in the coming year; installers are perfectly placed to reap the benefits.”
Napit offers MCS and Green Deal certification for installers working in the renewables and energy efficiency industries, as well as training courses that cover everything from solar PV to the Green Deal Assessor qualification.