week ending 29 April 2011
E.On goes solar
Up to 15,000 homes could benefit from solar power installations costing as little as £99 as part of a scheme being run by E.ON, one of the UK’s leading energy companies. Up to £150 million is being invested in the SolarExchange scheme which could see those E.ON customers taking part becoming more energy fit; generating renewable power at home and potentially cutting their electricity bills by up to £180 a year. Solar panels typically cost around £12,000 but SolarExchange lets E.ON customers benefit from the savings made by the electricity generated without needing to find that up-front investment.
Build.co.uk 29th April 2011 more >>
Energy Efficiency News 28th April 2011 more >>
Farm Wind
A farm near Driffield has applied to build two wind turbines on its land. Richard Bradley, the owner of Broachdale Farm in Kilham, wants to erect two 50-kilowatt wind turbines. The farm is an arable, pig and free range chicken farm with a high electricity demand and the turbines would be used to offset this demand.
East Riding Mail 29th April 2011 more >>
Lincolnshire Schools
PUPILS are monitoring their school’s electricity use and pulling teachers up on bad habits as county schools embrace the green revolution. Lincolnshire County Council is also offering to help, by lending schools chunks of money to let them buy things like wind turbines and solar panels. Previous funds restricted this type of purchase as they stipulated the scheme had to be paid back within five years, based on the savings the projects, such as lighting improvements, would make.
This is Lincolnshire 29th April 2011 more >>
DWP goes all CHP
GSH Group, ENER-G and Telereal Trillium teamed up to install a combined heat and power (CHP) system at Quarry House in Leeds. The occupiers, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and Department of Health are set to save £90,000 per year and reduce annual carbon emissions by over 430 tonnes with the high-tech energy-saving system. The 500kW ENER-G CHP system, which produces 500kW of electricity and 568kW of heat, is set to transform the way DWP and the Department of Health use heating and reduce carbon emissions by converting a single fuel into both electricity and heat in a single process at the point of use. It represents the first installation of its kind within DWP’s portfolio and is designed to reduce energy consumption by up to 20 per cent at Quarry House.
Low Carbon Economy 28th April 2011 more >>
FiT Success
The first full year of the feed-in tariff scheme has seen over 28,000 solar PV installations as householders rush to take advantage of payments for producing clean electricity. Government figures released today show a record 11,314 PV systems fitted over the first three months of 2011, despite the perceived threat to feed-in tariff levels posed by the government’s early review.
Business Green 28th April 2011 more >>
Renewable Heat Incentive
The heating and plumbing industry is well poised to benefit from the Renewable Heat Incentive, which the government believes will see a seven-fold increase in the number of industrial, commercial and public sector installations by 2020. Some 150,000 manufacturing, supply chain and installation roles will also be supported under the scheme. Kevin Wellman, operations director at the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering, said it is vital that the government is committed to green technology, as members of the public are becoming more accepting of “discussions about carbon footprint”. However, he said the “big fear” for members of the industry was that the small minority of bad installers could damage the reputation of others.
Low Carbon Economy 28th April 2011 more >>
Solar Windows
Researchers in the US have developed a new kind of organic solar cell that converts a small but significant fraction of the sunlight that falls onto it into electricity, while still allowing most of the visible part of that light to pass through. Thanks to this transparency, the team says that the cell could be mounted onto windows in buildings or cars in order to tap a currently under-exploited source of energy.
Environmental Research Web 28th April 2011 more >>
Dorset Solar Farm
A MEETING this morning will decide whether Dorset’s first solar power farm can go ahead.Planning officers at North Dorset District Council have recommended approval, although concerns about the visual aspect of a field full of solar panels and the effect on walkers have been raised. The proposals for farmland at Iwerne Minster will result in a field of nearly ten hectares close to farm buildings being covered in solar panels, generating just over 3 MWh electricity annually. The application was submitted in February by Low Carbon Energy Limited following a pre-planning consultation held in the village. A Government announcement that it will be cutting the feed-in tariff offered to larger solar power developments from August 1 has prompted a degree of urgency in deciding the application.
This is Dorset 28th April 2011 more >>
Siemens and Carbon Trust Funds
Applications are now being accepted for grants towards energy-efficient equipment provided by Siemens and the Carbon Trust. Last month, the two organisations announced they will be making available £550 million over the next three years for UK companies looking to invest in low carbon technologies and more energy-efficient equipment.
Low Carbon Economy 27th April 2011 more >>
Co-operative Renewables
The Co-operative Group and Co-operatives UK are joining forces to work on a new piece of research to support the development of community renewable energy in the UK. With increasing levels of local innovation in the field of community renewable energy, The Co-operative Group has commissioned Co-operatives UK to work in partnership with existing renewable energy co operatives on research to examine current practical and policy challenges. The action research project, Community Energy, which will be completed in March 2012, will address the urgent need to understand how to support new co-operative and community-owned initiatives to network, share learning and develop a coherent voice in the energy policy debate. Paul Monaghan, Head of Social Goals and Sustainability at The Co-operative Group, said: “The UK has challenging carbon reduction targets and to meet these we need collective solutions.
Click Green 27th April 2011 more >>
Breweries Biogas
Breweries’ wastewater biogas could be turned into renewable energy for the breweries, according to environmental solutions company Talbot & Talbot.
Renewable Energy Focus 27th April 2011 more >>
Solar Contribution
Much more than just a tool to engage communities in climate change issues, the solar industry argues it could meet between 6-8 per cent of the UK’s electricity needs by 2020. Not surprisingly, the number of solar photovoltaic installations has leapt since the feed-in tariff was launched. According to Stuart Pocock, technical director of the Renewable Energy Association, the combined capacity of solar photovoltaics in the UK rose from just 30 megawatts on 1 April 2010 to around 77 megawatts a year later, with some 26,000 new installations, mostly on homes. Installations were growing so rapidly that, according to Pocock, solar photovoltaics could have provided four to six per cent of the UK’s total electricity by 2020, had the government not cut the tariffs. The association, which represents generators and equipment companies, argues that the 2009 target of just 1.6 per cent of our electricity from small-scale renewables by 2020 was ‘woeful’ and should have been much more ambitious, at 6-8 per cent of the UK’s electricity. In the longer term, it believes that 20 or 30 per cent of the UK’s electricity could come from solar photovoltaics.
Ecologist 27th April 2011 more >>
Good Energy
Renewable energy group Good Energy posts pre-tax profits of £705,340 for the year to the end of December - up from £662,607 last time. Revenues rose to £20.0m from £18.3m and operating profits increased to £724,778 from £675,336. CEO Juliet Davenport said: “The successful completion of the new Delabole wind farm means it should now supply around 20% of our electricity and gives us better control over pricing, and more wind farm developments will be a key part of our future strategy. “Thanks to the new feed-in tariff, which really plays to our strengths, our community of independent generators has increased by 70% in a year.
Money AM 27th April 2011 more >>
Business Green 28th April 2011 more >>
Crewe Green Festival
A FREE event demonstrating how businesses, community groups and householders can save energy and reduce pressure on the planet attracted county-wide interest last week. Cheshire Greener Futures Festival at Reaseheath College featured more than 30 exhibitors supported by specialist workshops outlining ways of generating renewable energy and offering tips on energy reduction.
Crewe Chronicle 27th April 2010 more >>
Henry Boot
Henry Boot is moving into the renewable energy business. The Sheffield-based group’s construction subsidiary has launched a renewables division to target growth in the market in the coming years. Henry Boot says contracts with public and private landlords means work designed to take advantage of the Government’s Feed in Tariff domestic generation initiative and Renewable Heat Incentive already forms a significant part of its core business. Its new division is a natural extension of that activity and will initially focus on the Solar PV, heat pump and wind power markets, targetting demand for energy efficient retrofits and rebuilds through the government’s Green Deal and other associated initiatives.
Sheffield Star 27th April 2011 more >>
Biomass-powered swimming pool
NORTH Somerset MP Liam Fox officially opened Portishead Open Air Pool for the summer season. He was joined by Good Energy’s CEO Juliet Davenport and trustees of the pool to also be shown the new biomass boiler which is expected to save about £6,000 a year in running costs. The boiler has been funded largely by 100 per cent renewable electricity supplier Good Energy as part of its commitment to the independent Green Energy Supply Certification Scheme, with the South West Regional Development Agency contributing to the ancillary costs. The boiler is powered by locally-sourced wood pellets.
Portishead People 27th April 2011 more >>
Green Staffordshire
Staffordshire County Council is planning to power itself with green energy, including greater use of solar panels, solar thermal energy, micro-hydro, and biomass-based power generation and heating. The cabinet has adopted a new green energy policy which is designed to accelerate the authority’s use of alternative energy sources and slash energy bills, without building large-scale wind farms.
Government Business 27th April 2011 more >>
Burton Mail 26th April 2011 more >>
Britain’s Greenest Home
Hundreds of homeowners in Isle of Wight are vying for the title of Britain’s Greenest Home. The competition, launched three weeks ago by leading free solar firm HomeSun and FindaProperty.com, has attracted more entries from Isle of Wight than anywhere else in the UK. CEO of HomeSun, Daniel Green, said: “We’re delighted to have seen such a great response from the Isle of Wight in this competition. It’s clear that the county has some of the most environmentally aware homeowners in the country.”
Low Carbon Economy 26th April 2011 more >>
East England Solar Contractors
A ROOFING firm has joined forces with an electrical engineering company to launch a new business specialising in installing and maintaining solar panels. Deeping St James-based Manor Roofing and Bourne-based Cawoods Electrical last week launched Manor Solar which will provide photovoltaic (PV) panel services across the East of England region.
Peterborough Telegraph 26th April 2011 more >>
Renewables Roadshow
The latest renewable energy exhibition -Renewables Roadshow, powered by Plumb Center - has gained more industry support, including that of plumbers merchants PTS and Graham. The roadshow-styled exhibition will take place at six venues between September 6 and September 22 and will feature manufacturers, merchants & professional bodies as well as four theatres dedicated to seminars and training. “With the Code for Sustainable Homes and the Renewable Heat Incentive, the UK has strong incentives to drive renewables and the Renewables Roadshow is a great way of doing this,” says Nicola Clegg PTS’s head of marketing.
Builders Merchants Journal 26th April 2011 more >>
Farming Renewables
Growing numbers of farmers are looking to harness the power of the sun and wind to boost their incomes and do their bit for the environment. The National Farmers’ Union (NFU) said increasing numbers of members were applying for planning permission for wind turbines or solar panels. Under the Government’s Feed In Tariff (FiT) subsidy scheme, property owners who generate power from renewable sources are paid for the electricity they produce at a premium rate.
Leicester Mercury 26th April 2011 more >>
Solar Boom
As large solar energy companies battle to keep their Government subsidies, one smaller business says domestic demand is booming as householders switch on to green energy. Engensa, based in Willesden, north-west London, is one of many firms taking advantage of Government feed-in tariffs, a scheme launched in April last year to encourage small-scale, low-carbon electricity generation.
This is Money 25th April 2011 more >>
Transition Bewdley Tour
BEWDLEY folk can enjoy a tour of renewable energy installations at homes in the town and learn how to save money and the planet. People who book for the Transition Bewdley tour will also be able to see the technologies in action. They can also have a question and answer session with homeowners about the practical benefits and financial rewards.
Halesowen News 25th April 2011 more >>
Stamford Solar Farm
PLANS for Bourne’s £12m solar farm to create renewable energy could be given the green light next week.The planning application by Lark Energy, part of the Lark eet Group based in the town, has been recommended for approval by South Kesteven District Council planning officers.
Stamford Mercury 23rd April 2011 more >>
Solar Training
Wagner Solar UK Ltd announces the launch of the Wagner Academy training programme for UK installers. The Academy will be run by expert instructors who will provide product training directly to PV and solar thermal installers to promote a better understanding of the latest products and installation techniques. Wagner Solar UK is committed to quality and knowledge transfer, so the Academy will also feature product training delivered directly by solar manufacturers. The first event takes place on 13th May and will feature the new mounting kits from Wagner & Co as well as PV inverter training from inverter manufacturer Fronius. In the future, events are also planned to cover solar thermal space heating technology.
Civic and Public Building 20th April 2011 more >>