On January 6th, 2012 the U.K.'s Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) announced that an umbrella manufacturer and the owners of holiday cottages have become the first two applicants for the nation's Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI).

Both umbrella maker Booth Brothers (Knottingley, U.K.) and Broadgate Farm Cottages (Beverley, U.K.) will use the program to help pay for heat pumps. The program opened in November 2011 and also provides incentives for solar thermal systems.

"It’s fantastic news that the Renewable Heat Incentive has received its first two successful applicants, and this is just the start," stated U.K. Climate Change Minister Greg Barker.

"Renewable heat is a largely untapped resource and an important new green industry of the future. It’ll help the U.K. shift away from fossil fuel, reducing carbon emissions and encouraging innovation, jobs and growth in new advanced technologies."

Half of U.K. carbon emissions from heating

The DECC estimates that roughly half of the UK's carbon emissions come from energy used to produce heat, and that this represents a greater source of carbon emissions than electricity generation.

The agency also estimates that over 95% of the heat in the U.K. is currently produced by burning fossil fuels, noting a slowdown in North Sea production has lead to increasing imports to meet these needs.

Residential systems not included in current phase of program

The U.K. solar industry has criticized the Conservative government for the slow pace of roll-out of the RHI, as well as for not including residential systems in the current phase of the program, which only provides incentives for solar thermal systems for commercial and industrial customers.

Residential systems make up the vast majority of the U.K.'s solar thermal market.

However, energy policy expert Paul Gipe of Wind-Works notes that the program represents a significant step forward as the world's first feed-in tariff for renewable heat.

2012-01-11| Courtesy: U.K. DECC | solarserver.com © Heindl Server GmbH

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