Large-Scale Solar

The Climate Change Fund programme has now installed its 100th solar photovoltaic system in Islington, London. The scheme, aimed at encouraging microgeneration and energy efficiency in homes in the area, is working towards cutting borough-wide CO2 emissions by 15% by the end of 2011.

Adding to numerous other companies in the race for the first large-scale solar power plant in the UK, Dorset developer Eco Sustainable Solutions reveals its plans to power more than 1,000 homes each year. If it is given the go ahead the thirty acre 5MW project, known as Parley Solar Farm, will also save more than 1,100 tonnes of carbon emissions annually.

A village near Ely in Cambridgeshire could soon be home to a five megawatt solar power plant, becoming East Anglia’s biggest installation to date. Local firm Abbey Renewables has outlined plans to build the 35-acre solar farm in Wilburton on land on Mingay Farm along Twenty Pence Road in the village.

It is no surprise that since the good news about the future of the UK’s feed-in tariff was revealed there have been several announcements about renewable energy projects across the country. In line with this trend, installer Solarcentury has received financial support from Investment management firm Foresight.

Three solar schemes are to be implemented on the Isle of Wight, at land in Blackwater, Newchurch and Porchfield. Two of the plants will be developed by German company Kronos, while the third is to be constructed by new Island firm, Island Energy. All three projects are expected to be complete by the summer of 2011.

Since the Government’s announcement last week in the Spending Review that the feed-in tariff would not be cut, many companies have been given the green light for their UK solar plans. Free home solar company A Shade Greener is no exception.

According to recent media reports, a UK-based asset management group is planning to raise £40 million from wealthy individuals in order to pay for a tax-sheltered venture capital trust that will invest in small-scale British solar power projects.

London Housing Association tenants of the Brentfield Estate near the North Circular in Brent have reportedly seen a £120 saving per property on their electricity bills following the installation of solar photovoltaics roof…

Birmingham City Council has announced its plans to install photovoltaic solar panels on 10,000 council houses. According to reports in the Guardian, the council agreed last week to set the ball rolling on the £100m project.

The race is well and truly on for the development of the first large-scale solar power plant in the UK. With one project in the South West appearing to have taken an early lead, Corby Council today announces that it wants the top spot.