News

A popular community sports complex in the North East of England looks set to secure a financially viable future thanks to two social enterprises and the Government’s feed-in tariff (FiT).

Despite the recently launched feed-in tariff review, Cornwall Council is pushing ahead with plans for the first council-owned solar farm in the UK, Kernow Solar Park. Cornwall Council has reportedly submitted a planning application to its own officers, regardless of the fact that the Government has scared many investors away…

This 3.68kWp ground-mounted solar installation was completed by the Green Home Company for Mr & Mrs Metcalfe, who live in Ashford, Kent. The system, which is expected to generate over 3,000kWh of renewable energy a year, is comprised of 16 Conergy 230 solar panels combined with Fronius IG TL 3.6 inverter.

The Green Home Company installed this 1.2kWp system for Mr Graham Bridge in Tenterden, Kent. The system is comprised of six Suntech Power STP200 solar panels combined with an SMA Sunny Boy 1200 inverter.

In response to the UK Government’s recent decision to launch a fast-track feed-in tariff review, We Support Solar has composed an open letter to send to Energy Secretary Chris Huhne. The letter urges Huhne to act quickly to repair the damage done to the fledgling UK PV sector by his Commons Written Statement and press release sent out on February 7th.

The UK’s first commercial solar photovoltaics centre of excellence is set to open in Nottingham. Established by IPSol Energy, the 8000ft2 facility based at Nottingham’s Easter Park will provide global manufacturers and installers of solar PV modules with independent strategy advice and validation of their products.

Kinglong New Energy (KLNE), the joint venture company based in Beijing, has received G83 and G59 certification for its Sunteams inverters, marking the company’s entrance into the UK solar market.

UK-based renewable energy company, TwentyNinety has won a Shell Springboard award, for its photovoltaic technology Active Array, which is launching later this year.  The prize, which provides a financial boost to innovative, low carbon business ideas from across the UK, has been awarded in recognition of the potential of Active Array, to make a significant impact on the global PV business.

Reacting to the early review of the UK’s feed-in tariff, the European Photovoltaics Industry Association (EPIA) has come forward and asked the Government to “take all the necessary caution to let the market deploy [solar] and avoid destabilizing many British communities and companies which are starting to invest.”

Sharp Solar today officially announced the opening of its new Renewable Energy Academy in Wrexham, launched to reach out to building and home maintenance professionals across the UK. The Academy aims to train those interested in entering into the solar panel installation market, which is expected to be worth £500 million a year by 2015.