Feed-in Tariff (FIT) Customers Reach 10,000

CHIPPENHAM, 2 December 2011 - Good Energy, the UK’s only 100% renewable electricity supplier, has signed up its ten thousandth  Feed-in Tariff (FIT) customer, Andy Methley. The Feed-in Tariff was launched by the government in April 2010 to provide financial support for small green electricity generators.

Juliet Davenport, Good Energy Founder and CEO, said: “This is a key landmark for us. Twelve years ago we were established to increase the amount of renewable electricity generated and sold in the UK. We have been supporting microgenerators since 2004 when we launched our innovative HomeGen and SmartGen schemes.  This milestone demonstrates that our vision of a renewable electricity future, powered by independent households and businesses, is starting to become reality.” 

Juliet continues: “We have enough solar power and other renewable resources in the UK to become self-sufficient in renewable energy, provided we invest in the right way. Each and every one of those ten thousand FIT customers is a household, community or small business who has made a significant investment in generating their own electricity. We are very proud of these generators, pioneers in a self-sufficient, renewable energy future where we will no longer be reliant on expensive imported fuel.”

Andy Methley is a telecommunications manager who recently installed solar panels on his detached home in the village of Marshfield.   

Andy said, “We had been planning to install solar PV for some time but the recent government announcement meant it suddenly became more urgent! My wife is at home during the day with our one year old son, so she’ll be able to use the electricity our solar panels generate. We see the Feed-in tariff as a great opportunity and hope to really make the most out of generating our own electricity, and reduce our bills at the same time.”

Andy continues “I was pleased when I heard about Good Energy’s FIT service, and that I was able to visit their offices to hand them my form in person. I’m glad to support a local company like Good Energy.”

From April 1 2012, payments for domestic solar electricity generators will be reduced across the board for installations completed after 11 December 2011. Rates for sites of 4kW or below will be reduced from 43.3p per unit to 21p.  Good Energy will open its offices for the weekend of 10-11 December to help small solar electricity generators meet the government’s controversial new deadline for applying for the higher Feed-in Tariff rate. 

The Good Energy office in Chippenham, Wiltshire will be open from 10am – 4pm on Saturday 10 December and 12pm – 6pm on Sunday 11 December to receive applications in person and provide advice over the phone. Applications will also be received by email right up to the deadline of midnight on 11 December. In order to qualify for the higher Feed-in Tariff rate for solar generation under 50kW, customers will need to have commissioned their installation, obtained a Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) certificate number and register with Good Energy before midnight on 11 December. 

“Supporting microgenerators is a core part of our business and we are in it for the long term, regardless of government cuts” continues Juliet.  “We expect the cost of solar panels to continue to fall as the industry matures, and fossil fuel prices are likely to keep rising, so ‘growing your own’ electricity will continue to be a good green investment.” 

For more information visit goodenergy.co.uk/feedintariff.

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