9th February 2012
DECC have announced improvements to the Feed in Tariff Scheme for UK consumers

The Department of Energy and Climate Change have
today confirmed that any properties installing Solar Panels after 1st April this year, will be
required to produce an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC).
They have also lowered the Energy Performance criteria from a 'C' rating to a 'D' rating in order for properties to receive the higher tariff of 21p Kw per hour.
This now means that currently 50% of UK households will be eligible for the higher tariff rate and will be a positive move for PV installers throughout the country.
To summarise, from April 2013 (i.e. 21p Kw for <4Kw domestic) the building connected to the solar PV system must meet one of the following:
- Have an Energy Performance Certificate of band 'D' or higher
- OR Have installed ALL measures recommend by a Green Deal Assessor under the Green Deal Scheme
This would apply to ALL installs after 1st April 2012.If neither of these measures are completed BEFORE 31st March 2012, the buildings Solar PV system will receive the LOWER generation tariff of 9.9p Kw until the measures have been installed.
The result of this proposed measure is that all properties from April 2012 that have a Solar PV installation will have to have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) completed and possibly a Green Deal Assessment, if the original EPC is less than a 'D' rating.
The EPC MUST be completed by a QUALIFIED and REGISTERED Energy Assessor (Domestic or non-domestic whichever is applicable to the building type).
The 6 day
City & Guilds 6361 Domestic Energy Assessing course is delivered by PPL at centers across the UK. PPL deliver this course INCLUDING providing all 5 different property types (unlike most of their competitors) which are completed while on the 6 day course. Candidates leave PPL with their portfolio complete and ready for certification and subsequent registration with a EPC body.
The 6361 DEA qualification (6 days) is also required as a pre-requisite qualification for the new upcoming City & Guilds Green Deal Assessor qualification. The Green Deal Assessor qualification (5 days) allows the holder to act as a Green Deal Assessor, complete assessments and recommendations.
PPL are recommending that all Solar PV installers consider training to be a Domestic Energy Assessor and / or Green Deal Assessor over the next few months. This will remove the need to sub-contract Energy Assessments to third parties. Energy Performance Assessments can cost up hundreds of pounds each, dependent on the property type.
TO VIEW COURSE DETAILS PLEASE CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW:
CITY & GUILDS 6361 Domestic Energy Assessing course