…changes to the legislation could save consumers all over Britain anywhere between £17 billion and £40 billion over the next 33 years, say Ofgem

A major overhaul of renewable energy policies has been announced by Ofgem that will come into effect over the next year. At present, every time a homeowner with solar panels fitted onto their roof imports electricity into their house or exports it back to the grid, they are levied a small tariff but the governmenr have rightly come to the conclusion that this is at times counterproductive. Existing methods mean that it discourages any flexibility in the owner’s use of their electricity.

Director of the National Grid Nicola Shaw pointed out that if commercial businesses and private households made small tweaks to their energy consumption habits, then fluctuations in the grid could be slashed by between 30% and 50%.

By altering the rules surrounding the purchase and sale of solar power to and from the National Grid, the changes will save millions of homeowners money – especially those with solar panel technology in their homes.

Initially, those who have solar panels connected to their homes will be the first to reap the benefits, as the charges which are currently levied when selling energy back to the grid will be lessened or waived altogether.

So who will actually benefit?

Long term, there is scope for everyone to benefit. If a home or business owner is able to connect appliances to a Smart-enabled device, they could optimise energy use and slash bills.

A good example scenario would be switching off a freezer (for only a few minutes, so as not to compromise the edibility of its contents) or turning down air conditioning during peak times of energy consumption.

Collectively, these changes to the legislation could save consumers all over Britain anywhere between £17 billion and £40 billion over the next 33 years, say Ofgem. Meanwhile, the National Grid can also benefit; traders will be capable of accumulating all of the tiny savings made by individual consumers and selling them back to the Grid in one huge energy-saving package. As such, the changes spell good news for everyone.

The full, original article can be read here at envirotech-online.com