If you install an electricity generating technology from a renewable or low carbon source such as solar PV or wind turbine for a customer, the Government's Feed-In Tariff scheme (FIT) could mean your customer can get money from their energy supplier.

They can be paid for the electricity they generate, even if they use it themselves and for any surplus electricity they export to the grid. And of course they'll also save money on their electricity bill, because they'lll be using their own electricity.

The Renewable Heat Incentive, which is the first of its kind in the world, will encourage the installation of renewable heat equipment such as solar thermal technologies, biomass boilers and heat pumps.

Phase 1 - July 2011

From July 2011, the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) tariffs for non-domestic installations in the industrial, business and public sector will be introduced.

There will also be support of around £15 million for households through the RHI Premium Payment from July 2011. In return for the payments, participants will have to provide feedback on how the equipment performs in practice.

Phase 2 - Oct 2012

From October 2012, RHI tariffs for domestic properties will become available at the same time as the introduction of the Green Deal. The Government has confirmed that renewable heat installations installed in homes since 15 July 2009 will get the Renewable Heat Incentive once it comes in, provided they meet the eligibility criteria. They have also confirmed that this will include those who receive support under the RHPP scheme. However, the Government has not yet published its proposals for how the RHI will work in the domestic sector, so we cannot at this stage provide more information on this. In particular we cannot guarantee that those eligible for an RHPP grant will also be eligible for the RHI.