# RENEWABLE HEAT INCENTIVE - UK ONLY (does not include NI)    
Please note that from NOV, 2011, (revised date due to modification of the Biomass tarrif sought by EU) Phase 1 (commercial & industrial) of the RHI, Renewable Heat Incentive will start later than planned. (Phase II, July 2012 for domestic homes). Surface Power Commercial Solar Thermal systems can provide large amounts of hot water, heating and cooling/refrigeration. RHI is designed for hospitals, nursing homes, schools, leisure centres, hotels, factory's or any other such building which currently uses electricity, oil, gas or other fuel to produce heat or cooling requirements. It is just like the FIT (Feed In Tariff) except for Heat instead of electricity.
       
     
     
Click HERE to get the report and the spreadsheet financial models for RHI & FIT    
   
FAQ - READ ON TO SEE THE ANSWERS TO THE MOST COMMON QUESTIONS ON RHI    
   
Q: What is the RHI (Renewable Heat Incentive) ?
A: The Solar RHI (Renewable Heat Incentive) is a Government scheme that provides a payment from the government for every kWhr of hot water produced by a commercial solar system. It is set at 8.5p /kWhr for commercial. For example, if you put a solar hot water system on your hotel, then you (or the owner of the equipment if not you - see financing below) will get paid 8.5p for each eligible kWhr it produces.
Q: What size is commercial ?
A: Commercial is over 45 kWth (64 sqm) and under 200 kWth (285 sqm) (but in Phase II, July 2012), the government have stated they wish to expand the upper limit of 285 sqm. If you put on 400 sqm, then you will get paid for 285 sqm until it is raised next year.
Q: Can I do this on my house ?
A: No, this phase is commercial, there is a domestic phase promised for 2012 but if you put in a solar hot water system on your house today, you will be eligible for the tariff next year, i.e. you don't have to wait until next year.
Q: How will the kWhrs be measured ?
A: They will be measured by heat metering.
Q: Does this mean the government will pay more to more powerful systems ?
A: Yes. The more powerful the system performance, the higher the amount of heat metered, the more kWhrs produced, the more you get paid.
Q: Do the equipment and the installers have to MCS accredited?

A: No, the MCS (microgeneration scheme) is a consumer protection scheme designed to put a quality control layer on smaller installations (less than 64 sqm) which would typically be carried out by domestic type installers. Commercial systems are far more complex and installed by large professional mechanical and electrical contractors who work directly with the manufacturers. A commercial contractor would typically have the following accreditation's and memberships in the UK.
Q: Is there a standard commercial solar system ?
A: No, all are case by case and subject to engineering visits. A design needs to be created similar to house plans and this design is used by the contractor to install the system.
Q: Can I get a system for FREE, i.e. financed by someone else ?
A: Yes, its possible, but would be subject to agreement that your installation is big enough. If all was OK, you simply sign your roof over for the contract period, 20 years and the investor takes the government tariff, provides 20 years of a maintenance contract and you get all the hot water for a reduced payment over oil or gas. Note: There will be partial finance models as well.
Q: Can I get a bank loan and claim the payments from government myself ?
A: Yes, the payments go to whoever is the owner of the equipment.
Q: What type of buildings can you put these systems on ?
A: Any commercial building that uses hot water, (heating and cooling are more specialist uses), so hotels, hospitals, leisure centre's, laundry's, factory's, clinics, food halls, military buildings, schools, golf and football clubs, fire stations, etc, etc.
Q: I have a group of 100 hotels under my control, can I do them all ?
A: Yes, either with your finance or an investor led financing model.
Q: What groups are being targeted ?
A: The government are targeting the more cost effective and bigger emitting sectors first. The industrial, business and public sectors which contributes 38% of the UK's carbon emissions.
Q: Who will administer the scheme ?
A: OFGEM will administer the scheme.
Q: As an investor in RHI infrastructure, what returns are possible to justify the risk ?
A: A payback of 8 years is possible on RHI using our systems.
USE THIS FORM IF YOU ARE BASED IN THE UK AND WANT TO EARN MONEY FROM YOUR SOLAR HOT WATER SYSTEM; AND WISH TO REGISTER INTEREST
Enquiry Form (UK only)
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