Solar thermal to remain in UK's RHI scheme

The UK government on Wednesday published a response to its consultation on changes to the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI), including a reversal of its plans to remove solar thermal from the scheme.

Solar thermal will stay in the RHI for domestic systems with support over seven years kept at the current level of GBP 0.1974 (USD 0.25/EUR 0.24) per kWh, the Solar Trade Association (STA) said. Uses of the technology in industry up to 200 kW will also continue to receive support.

The Renewable Energy Association (REA) gave a cautious welcome to the changes. "The reforms made today to the Renewable Heat Incentive are an improvement to the earlier consultation and will go some way to grow an effective renewable heat sector in some cases to 2021," said REA chief executive Nina Skorupska.

The association, however, expects some key segments to struggle such as biogas and non-domestic biomass boilers.

The RHI has so far supported over 50,000 domestic renewable heat installations and more than 15,000 non-domestic installations in the UK.

Subject to parliamentary approval, the changes are expected to become effective in spring 2017.

The government response to the consultation can be viewed here.

(GBP 1.0 = USD 1.254/EUR 1.193)

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