week ending 26 August 2011
Solar Record
SCHOTT Solar announced the world’s first monocrystalline screen-printed solar cell on Wednesday - with conversion efficiency of 20.2%. The Fraunhofer ISE in Freiburg, another research institute, confirmed the results of SCHOTT Solar’s tests with an independent measurement. The previous record - 17.6% - was achieved through use of multicrystalline solar cells, one of several methods of making a solar cell go.
IB Times 26th Aug 2011 more >>
PV Tech 25th Aug 2011 more >>
Businesses encouraged to go green
With the ever increasing cost of electricity, businesses of all sizes really should be considering various forms of renewable energy sources on site. Technology has developed quickly and the choices available across wind and solar in particular are now very well proven. While there aren’t any capital grants available up front, the incentive payments for generation are significant enough to make any investment in renewables attractive for businesses.
Belfast Telegraph 26th Aug 2011 more >>
Two thirds of homes want renewable
New research conducted by utility and environmental consultancy Gemserv has identified huge demand from British households to ‘Go Green’ and produce their own energy. Gemserv’s study of over 2000 British adults found that 61% of homeowners would consider installing means to generating their own energy, whether that is by using solar PV panels, installing air source heat pumps, using biomass fuel or harnessing the power of nature by using hydro power.
Click Green 25th Aug 2011 more >>
Real Wire 25th Aug 2011 more >>
Energy experts have warned that plans to get millions of UK households to take part in the government’s flagship energy efficiency Green Deal scheme are at risk of failing, after a new survey showed a lack of understanding about the scheme. A YouGov survey of 2,022 adults carried out at the start of the month on behalf of utility and environmental consultancy Gemserv found that 61 per cent of homeowners would consider installing technology such as solar PV panels, hydro power or using biomass fuel to generate their own energy.
Business Green 25th Aug 2011 more >>
Ground Source Guidance
Ground source heating and cooling systems have the potential to heat 300,000 UK buildings by 2020 according to the Environment Agency which has published new guidance to support this energy revolution in homes and businesses. With Government incentives driving demand for renewable energy, the Environment Agency’s good practice guide supports the case for ground source heat and cooling systems as a viable source of sustainable energy for thousands of businesses and homes.
BSEE 25th Aug 2011 more >>
Highland Esco
Mallaig swimming pool, idyllically situated overlooking Skye and the Cuillins, has recently converted to renewable heat under a first ‘ESCO’ project delivered by HWEnergy. HWEnergy have financed the installation of the system and provide fuel supply, site service and management on an ongoing basis, leaving the client to enjoy the benefits of renewable heat with cost and carbon savings. All this is provided without the swimming pool having to spend any capital, or to commit any time to the running of the system, which is all provided by the HWEnergy Service and Heat Supply Team.
HWEnergy 25th Aug 2011 more >>
Middlesbrough Solar
Solar power experts took to the roof of a Middlesbrough building to cement a housing group’s commitment to going green. Fabrick Housing Group can look forward to lower electricity bills and CO2 emissions after it had solar photovoltaic (PV) panels fitted to the roof of its Rivers House office.
24 Dash 25th Aug 2011 more >>
Devon Solar Setback
PLANS for a large-scale multi-million pound solar power station near Exeter have received a setback. As previously reported by the Echo, solar power company Low Carbon Solar selected a 30-acre site at Broadclyst for a solar energy farm. However a number of concerns have been raised about the application which attracted around 130 letters of objection detailing fears about a lack of consultation, visual impact and potential intrusion of CCTV on nearby residents.
Exeter Express & Echo 25th Aug 2011 more >>
Back Biomass
The Back Biomass campaign has been launched by the UK Renewable Energy Association to encourage more government support for renewables. Principally concerned with biomass and combined heat and power technology, the campaign will also focus on completion of the government’s review of federal renewables support by the close of 2011. The campaign is funded by EON, Future Biogas, RES, British Sugar and Drax.
H&V News 25th Aug 2011 more >>
Let’s Recycle 25th Aug 2011 more >>
The government has today been urged to give swift and stable support to the UK’s emerging biomass industry, ahead of an upcoming review of renewable energy subsidies.
Business Green 24th Aug 2011 more >>
Fife Biomass
Work on a £35 million renewable energy project to provide cheaper heat and hot water to hundreds of homes in Cardenden could start in mid 2012, local MP Lindsay Roy heard during a visit to Ore Valley Housing Association. A detailed planning application for the 4.5 megawatt CHAP (Cardenden Heat and Power) biomass plant is currently being considered by Fife Council.
Central Fife Times 25th Aug 2011 more >>
Somerset Solar
The West’s great solar power gold rush was in full swing yesterday as work began on the biggest installation so far in the region. It is taking shape across five fields in the village of Puriton, near Bridgwater in Somerset, as part of a bigger renewable energy park. But the 31-acre site, which will hold 10,000 individual solar panels when it is completed next month, is just one of many planned across the region.
Western Daily Press 25th Aug 2011 more >>
Spray-on Solar
As Japan seeks to optimize its use of environment-friendly energy sources in the wake of the nuclear crisis triggered by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami, a company here may just have come up with a major breakthrough: spray-on solar cells. Mitsubishi Chemical Corp. has developed technology that enables solar cells to be applied to buildings, vehicles and even clothing in the same way that paint is applied. The breakthrough means that the places where energy from the sun can be harvested are almost limitless.
Independent 25th Aug 2011 more >>
NHS Energy Services
Sustainable energy solutions business ENER-G has established a specialist new healthcare division following its appointment to a framework of approved contractors that will deliver major low carbon infrastructure improvements across the NHS estate. ENER-G has been selected by the NHS Shared Business Services Carbon and Energy Fund to tender for and deliver multi-million pound projects to overhaul low carbon supply of electricity, heating and cooling at hospitals across the UK
Low Carbon Economy 24th Aug 2011 more >>
Welsh Biomass
Mike Reed argues that Wales is way behind its 2020 carbon reduction targets and will be left out in the cold from failing to take advantage of the new Renewable Heat Incentive payments and by failing to make greater use of wood biomass as an environmentally friendly and sustainable source of energy. WELSH businesses and the public sector are still lagging well behind the rest of Europe when it comes to making use of biomass fuel as an alternative energy source.
Western Mail 24th Aug 2011 more >>
Dundee Solar Plan
Dundee Councillors have approved a plan that could see electricity-generating solar panels placed on its buildings which potentially includes thousands of homes. The council will seek a commercial partner to install and maintain the equipment over its 25-year lifespan.
Dundee Courier 23rd Aug 2011 more >>
Haringey to double London solar capacity
Haringey Council is investing £15million into solar power by installing thousands of solar panels on its buildings. Schools, libraries, social housing and council offices, which could include the Civic Centre and River Park House, both in Wood Green, will be set up with the photovoltaic panels in a move that could double London’s current solar power capacity.
Hornsey Journal 23rd Aug 2011 more >>
Solar Milk
One of the UK’s largest organic milk co-operatives is now generating its own solar power/
Farmers Weekly 23rd Aug 2011 more >>
FiT Loophole
A loophole allowing solar firms to avoid cuts to feed-in tariffs is being closed. The change will affect firms investing in any form of renewables below five megawatts capacity
ENDS 23rd Aug 2011 more >>
Fulham Solar Football
Canadian Solar has agreed a partnership with Fulham Football Club to become their official solar energy sponsor in a two year deal. The sponsorship deal will see Canadian Solar extend its support of top sporting teams globally, including other European football teams
Connecting Industry 23rd Aug 2011 more >>
Sports Pro 22nd Aug 2011 more >>
Solar Aid
A charity will bring solar powered electricity and other benefits to 50 African schools after getting a donation of £125,000. Solarcentury has given the money through its charity arms SolarAid which was founded by the company to tackle poverty and climate change with solar energy.
Edie 23rd Aug 2011 more >>
Solar Hastings
Councillor Jeremy Birch, leader of Hastings Borough Council, aired his views on his blog this week. He said: “There are now a number of companies offering deals for those who would like to purchase solar panels for their homes. This is both to generate electricity for their own use, and to take advantage of the Government’s feed in tariff and get paid for the extra electricity they can sell on to the national grid. “Some companies also offer to basically lease a resident’s roof for 25 years and to install free solar panels for them. This gives the resident free electricity during daylight hours and can save hundreds of pounds a year, especially with prices going up.” Cllr Birch said he had already spoken with one local firm which plans to install 4,000 free panels by next spring. AmicusHorizon housing association is already contacting its own tenants after signing a deal with another company to put up free panels, Cllr Birch said.
Hastings Observer 22nd Aug 2011 more >>
Reading goes Solar
A multi-million pound scheme to install solar panels on schools and public buildings across Reading has been given the go-ahead by councillors. An extraordinary meeting of Reading Borough Council’s cabinet was called on Wednesday to approve the £5 million project. The project, which could save each school with solar panels an average of £3,000 per year, received the backing of all parties on the council.
Get Reading 22nd Aug 2011 more >>
AD Growth
A raft of farmers have responded to Government incentives to make energy from manure, waste crops and discarded food. Between 40 and 50 farmers are seeking planning permission to set up anaerobic digestion (AD) plants, which harness natural micro-organims to break down organic waste creating gas and heat which can be used to make electricity. If successful, they will double the UK’s farm plants from 24. Dr Prabodh Mistry, a consultant at AEA Group, which is helping investigate the potential for anaerobic digestion in the UK, believes 400 such plants, which produce between 300kW and 800kW of electricity each, are likely to be built by 2020. Farmers are also among the backers of some big AD plants, capable of producing 1MW or more of electricity by processing a combination of farm waste, specially grown crops and discarded food collected by local councils. There are currently just 30 of these operating or commissioned in the UK. Dr Mistry believes there could be up to 70 operating by 2020.
Telegraph 22nd Aug 2011 more >>
Solar Tardis
Solar panel supplier Krannich Solar and installation specialist Ecofirst have today announced they have completed the installation of a 50kw photovoltaic solar array at the new BBC Wales studios in the Cardiff Docks area that will be the new primary filming location for the popular Doctor Who series. The project was commissioned by nPower Energy Services and saw Ecofirst and Krannich Solar work together to install more than 200 SunTech solar panels and three inverters over a two-week period.
Business Green 22nd Aug 2011 more >>
Community Wind
GLASGOW energy firm EML Group is seeking to capitalise on the boom in community wind projects across Scotland with a part-ownership scheme that offers towns and villages a slice of the profits from turbines in their area. The company is offering community groups access to 100 per cent finance to take a share in small wind turbine arrays it plans to build. It says this allows communities to take part in energy projects without any risk or capital outlay.
Scotsman 21st Aug 2011 more >>
Somerset Church
WORSHIPPERS at a 12th-century church in Chelvey are to install solar panels on the historic building in a bid to go green and reduce their energy costs. Leaders at St Bridget’s Church have won the backing of North Somerset Council, the Diocese of Bath and Wells and English Heritage to install 12 photovoltaic panels on the roof of the Grade I-listed building. The work is expected to cost in the region of £13,000 and a fundraising drive to pay for the work is due to be launched later this year.
Bristol Evening Post 20th Aug 2011 more >>
Burnley Solar Firm
A FIRM which is set to create 15 new jobs – following a £150,000 expansion plan – has been praised by Burnley’s MP. Solarlec, which makes solar panel systems, has major plans for its Billington Road headquarters during the next 12 months.
Lancashire Telegraph 20th Aug 2011 more >>
South Wales Solar
PLANS to install 2,426 solar panels at the former Visteon factory have been submitted to council planners. Prospect Estates Limited has applied to Neath Port Talbot Council for permission to create the solar farm, which will produce a total of 622,404 kilowatts per year.
South Wales Evening Post 20th Aug 2011 more >>
Rail Turbine
Planning permission has been granted for an innovative new scheme at Horwich Parkway railway station. Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), which owns the station, will install a twin-bladed wind turbine to provide it with an eco-friendly energy source.
European Railway Review 19th Aug 2011 more >>
Bicester Eco Town
Cherwell District Council has granted detailed planning permission for 393 new homes and a renewable energy centre as part of the first ‘Exemplar’ phase of the NW Bicester eco-town development.
24 Dash 19th Aug 2011 more >>
Jonathon Porritt
What has Chris Huhne got against solar power?
Forum for the Future 15th Aug 2011 more >>
Co-operative Group
The Co-operative Group has appointed Dalkia to build a renewable energy centre to provide heat and electricity to its £800m NOMA mixed use development in Manchester. The energy centre will comprise a 17MW combined heat and power (CHP) plant, fuelled by locally sourced waste wood. It is reckoned that the plant will save around 70,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions per year. The first phase of NOMA is The Co-operative Group’s new headquarters building, which is scheduled for completion in September 2012. The building, which is designed by 3DReid and is being built by BAM Construction, is designed to BREEAM Outstanding.
Building4Change 9th Aug 2011 more >>