uk solar

Following the closure of the Department of Energy and Climate Change, an energy and climate change select committee member has all but confirmed the disbanding of the group.

Solar Power Portal runs through this week’s people news from within UK solar including changes at the top of Anesco and Absolute Solar and Wind, as well as the likely new ministerial appointments to the energy brief at the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.

The newly formed Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) could see energy policy relegated to a ‘steady as she goes’ approach while other policy areas take precedence, according to a government MP in the energy and climate change (ECC) select committee.

Building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) firm Romag has been bought by glazing company Clayton Glass from social housing provider Gentoo, which is seeking to focus more heavily on its core housing activity.

Solarwatt’s Pol Spronck explains to Solar Power Portal why the company has come to the UK and what installers can expect from the solar storage manufacturer as it prepares to roll out into the residential market.

Scottish energy minister Paul Wheelhouse is said to be seeking urgent talks with the UK government following its decision to scrap the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) in favour of a new business-led department.

The sale of three UK solar farms is underway after European Solar Farms, a division of European Energy, signed a conditional deal with the subsidiary of a Danish pension provider.

The UK’s energy policy will now be a decided by a new department headed up by former communities minister Greg Clark, who has been appoint secretary of state for business, energy and industrial strategy.

The scheduled rise in business rates on companies owning solar installations on their properties has been raised in the House of Commons, with shadow energy minister Barry Gardiner accusing the government of “sleeping on the job”.

Solar asset management provider GreenPowerMonitor has been bought by international certification and advisory firm DNV GL in a deal that will give the Spanish firm access to a new global network of renewable energy projects.