Microgeneration: The installer perspective
File(s)
Author(s)
Hanna, RF
Leach, M
Torriti, J
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
This paper presents an exploratory analysis of microgeneration installer businesses in the UK during a period of intense change in policies supporting microgeneration from 2010 to 2012. The research examines the influence of installer businesses on rates of uptake and standards of installation, and the interplay between business practices and the policy environment. The research developed new detailed datasets through a nationwide survey, to which 388 installers responded, and follow-up interviews with 22 installers. Focusing on solar photovoltaics and air source heat pumps installed in households, the results show the fundamental dependence of installer businesses on government financial incentives and on the quality assurance scheme in operation. Market confidence was compromised by the sharp reduction in the Feed-In Tariff (FIT) for residential solar PV in 2012 and long delays to the equivalent Renewable Heat Incentive for residential installations. Nevertheless, more modest FIT levels have reduced the risk of sub-optimal installations and inappropriate specification of microgeneration systems. The findings underline the need for consistent policy to allow installer businesses and their supply chains to develop and mature, and thus facilitate commercial deployment of microgeneration of high quality, raise its competiveness with incumbent forms of energy supply and contribute to decarbonisation goals.
Date Issued
2017-09-08
Date Acceptance
2017-09-07
Citation
Renewable Energy, 2017, 116 (Part A), pp.458-469
ISSN
1879-0682
Publisher
Elsevier
Start Page
458
End Page
469
Journal / Book Title
Renewable Energy
Volume
116
Issue
Part A
Copyright Statement
© 2017, Elsevier. Licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
Subjects
0906 Electrical And Electronic Engineering
0913 Mechanical Engineering
Energy
Publication Status
Published
Date Publish Online
2017-09-08