Social Housing PV Unviable Unless FIT Rates Double

Incentive payments for electricity generated from solar panels need to be set at nearly double the proposed rate for installations to remain viable for social landlords, according to research. Figures produced by consultancy Camco for the National Housing Federation show feed-in tariff payments would need to be set at 32.4 pence per kilowatt hour to remain attractive to the sector. The government is currently proposing to cut FIT payments from 43.3p/kWh to 16.8p/kWh for social landlords from April, although its plans are subject to legal proceeding, with a key appeal being heard in the High Court. Camco’s research has found the 16.8p/kWh rate would be too low to make schemes viable for social landlords, mainly because they depend entirely on the FIT payment to justify investment as the energy savings that also result are passed on to tenants. Read more on Inside Housing.