Renewable energy technologies are still not widely familiar in the UK. Therefore, there is no problem in feeling you are starting from a low level of knowledge and need to address questions to a range of people.
A community group will not want to waste money on more than one feasibility study. Equally, making a final decision on the choice of technology may not be possible before a later stage in the project, following an independent feasibility assessment (if one is required) and planning applications (e.g. for non-domestic installations). There is an alternative route on feasibility at microgeneration scale, through MCS.
The up-front costs for these technologies are quite high, not only for products, but also for installation and maintenance. Communities might be able to bulk-buy to help keep down costs. Keeping an eye on the rough costs of domestic scale technologies on the Energy Saving Trust's website could be a useful point of reference.
The real advantage of getting a wider and better technical understanding of the technologies, at an early stage is to prevent misconceptions becoming barriers to considering cost-effective projects.
Stage one: introducing the technologies
A series of useful introductory Plan Local videos:
The Energy Saving Trust's interactive "Home Energy Generation Selector" can offer advice on suitability of technologies to particularly locations and domestic buildings
Stage two: getting more information on technologies
A series of more advanced PlanLoCaL videos on "Things to Consider before Starting":
Stage three: getting technical and feasibility advice from MCS installer companies
Some communities may be able to identify for themselves which technology is likely to be cost-effective and viable in principle, using the links above.
If an installation is < 50KWs (for electricity) and <45kWs (for heat), a community can seek informal technical and feasibility advice an MCS installer company. MCS companies are approved for access to Feed-in Tariffs, RHPP and RHI.
If a community wants to avoid undertaking a feasibility study, or does not have sufficient funding for one, MCS is an alternative option. Some MCS installer companies are able to deliver advice on technical and feasibility issues on one technology (and possibly on one particular MCS product). Others, possibly larger companies, are able to deliver advice on a range of technologies, and on a range of MCS products. In that sense, they can offer a degree of impartiality in relation to technologies and products.
MCS installer companies must give communities written estimates about likely energy outputs from an installation. They can also advise on technical issues such as noise, tilt angle, overshading radar, building regulations etc (although independent verification checks e.g. on planning and any regulations are recommended). We would recommend communities seek quotations and estimates from at least three MCS installer companies, as costs are likely to vary.
The Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) is a third party EN45011 scheme for installers and products. Installers and products are approved against sets of robust standards. There are standards for biomass, solar PV, solar thermal, heat pumps, micro-CHP, hydro and wind turbines. All MCS products, such as wind turbines, are robustly third party tested, over a number of months. MCS testing confirms whether the claims of the manufacturer for its product's performance, durability and safety can be independently verified. MCS installer companies are subject annual surveillance by certification bodies which ensure that quality control is in place.
At household level, MCS integrates an OFT level consumer code of practice, currently only delivered by REAL Assurance Code which does not cover to community-scale installations e.g. on schools, village halls etc.
Communities protection and complaints
At community scale, protection is afforded by putting in place tight legal contracts and by the principle of "buyer beware". Nevertheless for all MCS installations, including those at community scale, there are routes for complaints, through MCS certification bodies (on technical issues) and through MCS complaints procedures (on any aspect of MCS).
An MCS installer company which loses its MCS certification (e.g. due to complaints not being addressed) will no longer be able to undertake work which is eligible for financial incentives.
MCS standards and MCS listing
There are published MCS standards for microhydro and microhydro "transition" lists, but the companies and products listed on the MCS website do not have MCS certification. Access to financial incentives for hydro <50kWs to financial incentives is currently through the Ofgem ROO-FIT system. Accreditation for microhydro is being considered as part of the FITs review currently underway.
There are no MCS standards for anaerobic digestion, or for micro-fuel cells, though it is likely that standards for fuel cells will be put in place, as systems develop.
Further advice is available on the Selecting suppliers and installers web page.