News

Specialist PV fund manager Bluefield Partners LLP has signed a strategic agreement with Azur Solar to finance a range of new 50kW and 150kW systems on industrial, commercial and agricultural roofs across the UK. The systems will be installed for free between now and March, 2012 and consequently will be eligible for the Government’s current feed-in tariff rate. Azur will operate and manage all of the systems.

PV engineering, contracting and distribution firm Colexon Energy has received an order for 5,000 First Solar thin-film panels from installers in Cornwall and Oxford. This is the latest major order Colexon has taken for the black, frameless modules, which have proved very popular due to their high energy output.

Aerial mapping company Bluesky is urging property owners to seek independent advice before installing solar panels following recent exposés into rogue traders in the national press. The consumer watchdog Which? found that three-quarters of installers overestimated the production capacity of panels, with many more underestimating the time required to recoup the initial investment.

Adding to the high-profile line up at Solar Power UK 2011, Energy and Climate Change Minister Greg Barker has confirmed he will deliver a keynote speech on the second day of the in-depth conference.

Recent changes to the UK’s permitted development rights (PDR), which remove the requirement for planning permission to be sought for development which meets certain criteria, are expected to bring further clarity to the rules around installing solar systems in the UK.

Inviting leading names from the UK solar industry up to the north east of the country, Solar Flair 2011 will reveal details of the latest advances and opportunities in the UK photovoltaic industry.

Cwmbran-based Ikaros Solar has signed a contract to install 150kW of solar photovoltaics for a poultry farmer near Ashbourne in Derbyshire. Installed over three sites, the solar panels will provide renewable energy for Overbrook Farms’ specialist requirements.

Yorkshire-based companies GMI Renewable Energy Group, Town Centre Securities and Rex Procter & Partners have launched what is thought to be the largest city centre solar photovoltaics installation in the UK. Constructed on the roof of Clarence Dock Car Park in Leeds, the system is expected to supply around 15% of the car park’s electricity.

UK solar investor and developer Orta Solar has launched a series of photovoltaics operations and maintenance packages to suit systems from 20kW to 5MW. The company, which delivers commercial, agricultural and corporate roll-outs of solar PV systems, has 90MW and constructed or financed 30MW of UK solar to date.

Just two months after launching a £20 million investment package for community buildings in Cornwall, Community Energy Plus has now announced it will extend its offer.