week ending 22 July 2011
Renewable Heat in Northern Ireland
Fresh proposals are being launched to develop the renewable heat market in Northern Ireland - with potential for a boost to local employment skills as a result. There may be opportunities for training in the skills required for the introduction of renewable heat - which is heat produced from sources such as solar radiation, biomass materials, heat pumps, geothermal energy, anaerobic digestion and waste materials. The Stormont Energy Minister, Arlene Foster announced the launch of a public consultation on the design and implementation of a Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) in Northern Ireland.
Build.co.uk 22nd July 2011 more >>
Pig Power
It is not every day pigs are hailed for their waste efficiency, but now an innovative university project plans to turn their dung into renewable heat and electricity using anaerobic digestion. The £1.2m AD facility at Cockle Park in Northumberland is part of a Newcastle University project investigating sustainable agricultural practices. The system is already producing heat from animal dung on the farm, and the next step is to use the heat to keep the pigs warm as well as generate electricity to power the milking parlour.
Business Green 22nd July 2011 more >>
Hockerton Wind Benefits
GREEN-MINDED residents in Hockerton have had a bumper windfall. After investing in building a wind turbine to generate clean, green, renewable energy they are now reaping the rewards. Residents who helped fund the project, by Sustainable Hockerton, have received five per cent interest payments on their cash in the first year – a better rate than any ISA savings accounts that are currently on the market. Not only that, the small parish of 54 households has benefited from £3,000 for village improvements. And that is in the first year, when set up costs have to be settled. Now these costs are paid off it is expected that in future years, interest payments could rise as high as seven per cent and village improvement funds to up to £10,000 a year.
Nottingham Post 22nd July 2011 more >>
Body Shop’s solar roof.
WORK is nearing completion on Britain’s biggest rooftop solar power station, at The Body Shop headquarters in Littlehampton. Thousands of electricity-generating solar PV panels have been fitted to the roof of the large distribution centre at the rear of the Watersmead site and will be switched on towards the end of next week. As well as supplying the company’s industrial units and offices with power, the system will earn The Body Shop money through the government’s Feed In Tariff, which rewards producers of renewable electricity with generous payments.
Littlehampton Gazette 22nd July 2011 more >>
Scottish Farmers’ issues
SCOTTISH farmers will lose out on renewable energy schemes unless changes are made to the current system, NFU Scotland chiefs have warned. The union is calling on the Scottish Government to tackle the ‘growing list’ of issues and challenges being experienced by farmers interested in renewable energy so the country’s full potential for energy generation can be realised.
Farmers Guardian 22nd July 2011 more >>
Solar Race
Solar farm developers look set to beat the clock and deliver at least 16 large projects this month ahead of deep cuts to feed-in tariff incentives that will come into effect from 1 August. Three large solar projects are set to go live during the next 10 days, and at least another 11 have connected to the grid in the last 10 days. Non-profit organisation OVESCo, formed by members of the Transition Town Lewes Energy Group, is also planning to connect the UK’s first community-owned solar park to the grid next Saturday, two days before the FiT cut-off date.
Business Green 21st July 2011 more >>
Small Wind proves its worth
A man who spent £13,000 installing a mini wind turbine to power his house says the switch has proved “worthwhile”. Kevin Field, from south Derbyshire, opted to try out the technology five years ago. Since then, the 18m (59ft) turbine has provided about 60% of his house’s power supply. Now Mr Field is considering going one step further and installing solar panels.
BBC 21st July 2011 more >>
Renewable Heat Incentive
Households will be able to apply for substantial grants towards the cost of renewable heating systems, worth up to 1,250 for the biggest installations, starting from August 1. Biomass boilers burning wood pellets, solar thermal panels for hot water heating, and both air and ground source heat pumps can all be installed with the grants, taking the form of government vouchers. The 15m scheme is part of the ministers’ renewable heat support plans, and will provide funding for up to 25,000 households.
Guardian 21st July 2011 more >>
Brits are now being offered money off green heating installations with the launch of the government’s Renewable Heat Premium Payment. Funding of £15 million is available under the scheme, with each household being able to receive up to £1,250 towards the cost of biomass boilers, solar thermal panels and ground and air source heat pumps
Low Carbon Economy 22nd July 2011 more >>
Scottish Farmers
FARMERS and landowners are expected to play a major role in helping the Scottish Government achieve its aim of being able to generate 100 per cent of the country’s electricity requirement from renewable sources by 2020. However, the National farmers Union of Scotland has made it clear to John Swinney, secretary for finance, employment and sustainable growth, that this aim is being frustrated by difficulties encountered in the planning system. In a letter to Mr Swinney, union boss Nigel Miller has stated that feedback from members interested in the technology has shown that a major stumbling block to progress has been the lack of clarity in planning. Members have also expressed concerns over the “overload” within the planning system. “We have a growing list of incidents where members believe planning authorities have failed to provide proportionate p athways for micro and major developments.
Scotsman 21st July 2011 more >>
Lighting Efficiency
A council in south-west England has installed what it claims to be the first smart street-lighting system on a busy roundabout. More than 70 LED lights have been installed at the junction between Bath and Bristol. Their brightness automatically adjusts depending on how dark it is but also takes into account the number of vehicles on the road at any given time. Bath and North East Somerset council believes it is one of the first times such a system has been put into place on such a busy road. It claims the lights will reduce carbon emissions and save 4,500 a year, although there is a initial outlay of 36,000.
Guardian 21st July 2011 more >>
Northumberland Solar
RENEWABLE energy firm Solar Energy Centre is targeting a rise in public sector contracts following a rise in interest in solar panel systems. The Northumberland company is seeing a burst of interest in installing photovoltaic systems, following the Government’s move to allow householders to sell their solar generated electricity to energy companies.
The Journal 21st July 2011 more >>
Largest Rooftop Solar
Power is now on at one of the UK’s largest rooftop solar PV installations - a 277kWp scheme in Hampshire. Located on the 55,000sq ft roofspace of manufacturer Hampshire Cosmetics, the installation combines two major solar technologies, Thin Film and Polycrystalline. It is believed to be one of the largest “zero capital” projects in the country.
Anesco 21st July 2011 more >>
Lightsource Renewable Energy and Octopus Investments are claiming that the newly installed 1.65MW rooftop project at the Promens warehouse in Beccles, Suffolk is the largest of its kind in the UK. Developed by Lightsource and constructed by Grupotec, the solar installation was financed by hundreds of investors throughout the UK.
PV Tech 21st July 2011 more >>
Solar Frontier
Solar Frontier’s SF130-150 series CIS modules have been newly minted with Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) certification, which was bestowed upon them through BRE Global. MCS certification is a requirement for solar modules to be worthy of feed-in tariffs for PV installations below 50kWp capacity. The MCS certification, combined with IEC 61646, IEC 61739 and UL 1703 certification allows for Solar Frontier’s modules to be carried throughout the UK.
PV Tech 20th July 2011 more >>
Welsh Red Tape
FARMERS say trying to embrace renewable energy on their farms is like “wading through syrup” because of red tape. The Country Land and Business Association (CLA) Wales said many of its members are keen to introduce energy sources like solar and wind power and anaerobic digesters onto their land. But they claimed their efforts are being thwarted by needlessly lengthy application procedures, some of which can take up to two years to process.
Western Mail 20th July 2011 more >>
Solar-powered cars
WESSEX Renewable Energy, part of the Wessex Group of Companies in North Dorset, have secured a major commercial solar photovoltaic installation contract. The installation with F J Chalke in Wincanton will consist of 96 solar panels that will output in excess of 23KWp. The panels will be situated on the roof of their Wincanton showroom where F J Chalke is currently selling the new electric Nissan Leaf Car. Customers will be able to see a working demonstration of how the solar panels will be generating the electricity to charge the new electric car in the showroom
Dorset Business 20th July 2011 more >>
Solar Costs
In the U.S., the DoE is pioneering research in order to reduce the cost of installed PV to below a dollar-per-Watt by 2017.
Renewable Energy Focus 20th July 2011 more >>
Solar Industry
Renewable Energy Corporation, one of the world’s biggest makers of solar power equipment, said the worst was over for the solar industry after a sharp drop in prices this year resulted in heavy second-quarter losses for the Norwegian group. Prices for solar panel components have fallen by as much as 45 per cent this year amid increasing low-cost supplies from China and uncertainty over government subsidy schemes for renewable power at a time when many western countries are struggling with mounting debts.
FT 19th July 2011 more >>
Growing Interest in Solar
THE recent Investors in the Environment free seminar by Lark Energy and Eco Building Products raised significant interest in renewable energy and solar PV (photovoltaic panels). Local businesses were joined by representatives from Nene Park Trust, IPM, Peterborough City Council and Cambridgeshire Police. Attendees were attracted by the financial benefits of installing renewable energy provided by guaranteed index-linked returns from the Feed in Tariff, savings in energy costs and also by its contribution to reducing their carbon footprint.
Peterborough Today 19th July 2011 more >>
Royal Hydro
Windsor Castle is set to be the “primary customer” of a renewable electricity scheme to harness power from the River Thames. The project from Southeast Power Engineering will see electricity generated from turbines installed in the Romney Weir delivered to the royal residence by underground cables.
Low Carbon Economy 19th July 2011 more >>
Renewable Energy Corporation
Renewable Energy Corporation to temporarily shut Norway plant as revenues fall 17 per cent compared to first quarter 2010.
Business Green 19th July 2011 more >>
Solar Inverter
Solar PV modules would be of little use was it not for an electronic box of tricks that is normally out of sight and out of mind - the inverter. The central role of the inverter is to convert the direct current delivered by the solar panels to an alternating current that can be used by electrical appliances or fed to the grid.
Renewable Energy Focus 19th July 2011 more >>
Hyundai Solar
Eco Environments is the first company of its kind in the UK to sign such an agreement with Hyundai Solar and the company has already received and installed one container of its solar panels with more to follow. Hyundai Solar is already well established in countries like Germany and we are delighted to sign this agreement with them to install their solar panels in the UK.
Building Talk 19th July 2011 more >>
Green (Gas) Deal
British Gas yesterday unveiled a Green Deal-style scheme designed to help customers reduce the upfront cost of installing clean technologies such as insulation and solar panels. The new initiative, dubbed British Gas’s Home Energy Plan, comes just days after the utility confirmed domestic gas.
Business Green 19th July 2011 more >>
Renewable Energy Focus 20th July 2011 more >>
Small Wind in Ireland
Some 145 jobs are to be created at a green energy firm manufacturing small scale wind turbines for farms, factories and homes. The C&F Green Energy plant in Athenry, Co Galway, will take on the staff over the next three years. Taoiseach Enda Kenny announced the expansion and said it would help put Ireland at the forefront of the renewable sector worldwide.
Leinster Express 18th July 2011 more >>
Swansea Environment Centre
SWANSEA’S Environment Centre is urging the public to support its bid to fund its own renewable energy project. Winning a share of a £500,000 Energyshare fund would allow the charity to produce its own solar electricity, install a more efficient heating system, and insulate the ceiling in their meeting hall at their Pier Street base.
South Wales Evening Post 18th July 2011 more >>
Solar Tracking
A farm in Cambridgeshire is helping to develop more efficient ways of generating renewable energy. Scotland Farm is one of the first in the country to have installed solar panels that track the sun’s movements. It means they generate more electricity - and help cut bills.
Anglia Tonight 18th July 2011 more >>
Hydro Share Offer
Residents are to be invited to invest in a new energy scheme aimed at generating hydro-electric power and cut thousands of tonnes of carbon emissions. The Esk Valley Community Energy Group is launching a share issue on Wednesday aimed at raising £320,000, on top of loans and grants worth £240,000, to install a small-scale hydro-electric turbine on the River Esk at Ruswarp in North Yorkshire.
24 Dash 18th July 2011 more >>
Countrywide
Countrywide, the rural supply business, has launched a renewable energy division at the Royal Welsh Farm Show.
Farmers Weekly 18th July 2011 more >>
Renewable Energy Roadmap
Excluding solar power from a list of key renewable energy sources with the greatest potential to reduce the UK’s dependence on gas and oil is disappointing and concerning, an industry pioneer said today. The UK Renewable Energy Roadmap was published last week alongside details of how the Government will meet its target of generating 15 per cent of the country’s energy from renewable sources by 2020. Businessman Andy Boroughs, who was instrumental in introducing biomass wood pellet boilers to the UK market, said he was surprised that despite the action plan highlighting the usefulness of solar PV, the technology was not considered to have the potential of other sources of energy.
Click Green 18th July 2011 more >>
Loughborough Solar
THE atmosphere at The Complete Wastersproject in Sileby is electric after the new roof at The Green Place in Cossington Road was completed with huge solar panels. The eco-friendly house now has a 3kw system of solar panels up and running which should generate over 2000kw of electricity per year, which is about a third of our current usage, and amounts to a saving of almost1.5 tonnes of CO2 per year.
Loughborough Echo 18th July 2011 more >>
Green Deal for Business?
Big businesses believe government should help them invest in “Green Deal” technologies, such as smart meters and onsite renewable energy systems, after a survey today revealed a majority of large firms struggle to identify the finance necessary to roll out green improvements.
Business Green 18th July 2011 more >>
Inefficient fridges put profits at risk
Businesses feeling the heat over rising energy bills have been told they can trim up to a fifth of the cost of running refrigeration equipment by deploying cheap and effective technologies such as more efficient appliances and energy recovery systems. A new guide published today by the Carbon Trust claims refrigeration accounts for as much as 50 per cent of energy costs for food processors and supermarkets – a figure that can rise to 70 per cent for small companies.
Business Green 18th July 2011 more >>
Low Carbon Economy 20th July 2011 more >>
Negawatts
The government has been warned it risks harming investor confidence in the UK’s emerging “negawatt market”, after failing to reveal how it will administer payments for back-up plants and demand management schemes as part of the wide-ranging electricity market reforms whitepaper released last week.
Business Green 18th July 2011 more >>
Pembrokeshire Solar Park
The largest solar park in Wales will connect to the green energy grid ahead of the government’s amendment to solar energy subsidies. The £2.5m landmark investment at the Rhos-Y-Gilwen estate in Pembrokeshire will go into action three weeks before the UK government lowers the subsidy for large-scale solar energy investors, due to take place on 1 August.
FM World 18th July 2011 more >>
Western Telegraph 17th July 2011 more >>
Anglesey Powerhouse
FARMS will be transformed into mini power stations generating millions of pounds from wind and solar energy, rotting food and animal muck. Anglesey Council wants 100 smallholdings on the island to be fitted with the latest renewable technology and reap financial rewards from pioneering sustainable farming. After first becoming carbon neutral they would then get grants to install solar panels, wind turbines, biomass or other generating units.
Daily Post 18th July 2011 more >>
Renewable-powered street lights
STREET lights powered by wind and solar power were designed by a team of Sheffield students - winning them first prize in a renewable energy challenge. The teenagers from Sheffield Engineering Centre - all students at city schools - collected their trophy from contest sponsor Tata Steel.
Sheffield Star 18th July 2011 more >>
Peterborough Solar Project
WORK has started to create what could be the biggest roof-mounted, solar power scheme in the country. Solar panels are being installed on the former Freemans building in Ivatt Way, Westwood. It is part of Peterborough City Council’s wider scheme which will see panels installed on the roofs of both the Town Hall in Bridge Street and the Regional Pool in Bishops Road, Peterborough. The full proposed scheme of 1.5 megawatts will cost about £5.7 million to set up and has been funded by council borrowing, which will be paid back over 25 years.
Peterborough Today 17th July 2011 more >>
Solar Bright Spot
You could almost hear the pips squeak when Scottish Power and British Gas announced massive energy price rises. With energy costs spiralling, homeowners are looking for greener, cheaper ways to run their homes and renewable energy is big news.
Independent 17th July 2011 more >>
Another solar project bites the dust
THE Government’s U-turn over its renewable energy subsidy appears to have claimed another victim after plans to create the UK’s first solar-powered theme park were shelved. Plans to make Crealy Great Adventure Park at Clyst St Mary solar powered have been halted on the eve of a crucial deadline to capitalise on the Government’s Feed-in Tariff (FiT). The subsidy – which rewards companies, households and schools for every unit of renewable energy they produce – will rein in its current lucrative grants at the end of this month, meaning those previously planning to cash in on the FiT would have to be connected to the national grid by July 31.
Exeter Express & Echo 16th July 2011 more >>