2008 saw us launch Good Energy HotROCs, the UK’s first renewable heat incentive, paying solar thermal generators for the heat they generate. It was developed in conjunction with our Gas+ tariff.

47% of the UK’s overall energy is used for heat, creating 175 million tonnes of carbon emissions a year. And with 75% of UK households reliant on mains gas for hot water and to keep their homes warm, a renewable alternative is vital. ‘Green gas’ (or biomethane) – despite the hype – is still some years away from being economically viable, so we developed a product which would encourage the growth of renewable heat generation in the UK.

Some of the revenue from Good Energy Gas+ is used to reward customers generating their own heat. HotROCs paved the way for a national Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI), which due to be implemented for domestic technologies by October 2012.