Isra-Mart srl : Be aware of feed-in tariff

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Isra-Mart srl news:

GREEN energy installers on Teesside are calling for more consumer awareness campaigning as the North-east’s first renewables sector alliance is launched.

According to Ofgem, just 28 small-scale renewables installations have been registered under the Government’s Feed-in Tariff scheme on Teesside since it began on April 1.

Region-wide there have been just over 200 sign-ups - compared to 2,148 in the South-west.

Delegates from across the region who met yesterday for the launch of the North East Renewables Alliance (NERA) - the sector’s first region-wide coalition - say more needs to be done to build customer confidence and awareness of the fledgling industry.

The feed-in tariff (FIT) scheme, brought in to promote the widespread uptake of small-scale renewables, pays householders for generating their own green electricity from technologies
such as solar panels or turbines.

Teesside installers are expecting a wave of work, not least from the UK’s agenda to make every new build home zero carbon by 2016.

NERA will help preserve industry standards and bring small North-east renewables companies together to fight for their fair share of work, from domestic installations to large- scale housing and commercial contracts.

First must come better public awareness, members claim.

Speaking at yesterday’s launch at Ramside Hall, County Durham, Andy Gunn, from Teesside installers Agelec, said: “There is a big fear among the public about quality issues on installations, we need to give them peace of mind and get the message across.

“I spoke to hundreds of people at Hartlepool’s Tall Ships event about renewables - and hardly anyone knew about the feed-in tariffs. The Government also has a job to do here, it isn’t good enough to say ‘there are the feed-in tariffs, get on with it’.”

NERA secretary Don Lord said the organisation would focus on quality, skills and training to maintain standards for the sector.

“Renewables is such a new industry, it has to start from a credible and professional footing. Many transient companies see it as an opportunity to make a quick buck. “The industry will get a bad name if we’re not careful.

“This alliance will help us to build on our strengths.”