week ending 24 February 2012
Community Building Solar Finance
Ramping up its solar activity in the West Midlands, Caplor Energy has this month launched a new solar scheme. By providing a community fund of £100,000 to build solar projects within Herefordshire and Worcestershire, the Fownhope-based company hopes to support local groups interested in installing solar energy systems on community buildings. By offering a funding pot, Caplor Energy gives interested community groups the chance to install a solar system without having to raise the upfront capital. Caplor will recoup its costs through the feed-in tariff payments while the community building benefits from the free solar energy. Once the system has been paid off, the feed-in tariff payments will go to the community group.
Solar Power Portal 24TH Feb 2012 more >>
Green Deal
A non-for-profit organisation set up by blue-chip firms to offer low-cost loans to fund energy-efficiency improvements will be incorporated next month, providing one of the key foundations for the launch of the government’s Green Deal energy efficiency scheme this autumn. The Green Deal Finance Company (GDFC) was launched last October as a partnership between 16 companies, including British Gas, E.ON, EDF, Goldman Sachs, HSBC, Kingfisher, and PwC, as a means of supporting the government’s flagship policy for improving the energy efficiency of UK homes and offices. “Local authorities are going to be critical . They can do their own properties... and have a route to market and a level of trust that can push this through.” Birmingham and Newcastle local authorities are already planning major Green Deal schemes.
Business Green 24th Feb 2012 more >>
Fears are growing that the timetable for rolling out the government’s Green Deal energy efficiency scheme may have slipped, with Whitehall officials no longer committing to the stated October implementation date. In recent months officials have started describing the launch of the programme as happening “before the end of the year” in meetings with stakeholders.
Building 23rd Feb 2012 more >>
Face to face meetings with residents are the only way to increase take-up of the Green Deal and ensure the government meets its carbon savings target, experts have claimed. The claim is based on evidence from a community-based energy efficiency pilot project, which achieved a 100% take-up.
Building 23rd Feb 2012 more >>
School Turbines
A north west Sutherland woman is continuing her campaign to stop Highland Council from erecting micro wind turbines close to schools. Dr Stephanie James, a psychologist who has her home at Stoer, wrote to the council’s Chief Executive Alistair Dodds a month ago highlighting her concerns about the policy. She fears it is only a matter of time before a school pupil is injured, or even killed, as a result of a turbine malfunction.
Northern Times 24th Feb 2012 more >>
Press & Journal 22nd Feb 2012 more >>
Solar Ice
The Polar Krush Group, the UK’s leading manufacturer of frozen drinks, has reinforced its commitment to environmental responsibility by installing 212 PV solar panels on the roof of their office and manufacturing facility.
Business Network 24th Feb 2012 more >>
Oldham Solar
AN Oldham fashion wholesaler has spent £400,000 converting the roof of its former cotton mill headquarters into a solar power station.Baum Trading said the 610 solar PV panels it has installed will generate enough power to produce 123MWh of electricity a year.This will not only provide enough power for the 200,000 sq ft building and its businesses, but also provide spare capacity to sell back to the National Grid.
Business Desk 24th Feb 2012 more >>
Solar Airport
BIRMINGHAM Airport is planning to cut down on its energy costs after installing solar panels at its new terminal.The airport has placed more than 200 of the panels of the roof of the building, a move which could help save 22 tonnes of carbon dioxide each year.
Business Desk 24th Feb 2012 more >>
Solar Expansion
A renewable energy installer is growing its workforce by 50% as it starts adding new products and eyes expansion into England. Solar Electricity Systems has grown rapidly since being formed in the middle of 2009 and is on course for around £12.5 million turnover in the year to March 2012. Founder Jim Kirkland, whose background is in the building trade, is confident of further growth despite the UK government recently cutting feed-in-tariff rates for photovoltaic panels.
Herald 24th Feb 2012 more >>
Solar Power Portal 24th Feb 2012 more >>
Workplace Renewables
Businesses daunted by the high upfront cost of on-site green energy, such as solar panels and wind turbines, could soon take advantage of a new initiative that allows employees to buy stakes in workplace renewable energy schemes. Not-for-profit energy supplier Ebico recently completed its first project with Cornwall’s Eden Project through its new subsidiary, Social Ventures in Energy (SVE).
Business Green 24th Feb 2012 more >>
IB Times 23rd Feb 2012 more >>
Solar Vets
As expected, theprocess hasn’t been entirely straight-forward, even without the Government’s well-publicised efforts to confuse the whole issue. Being commercial premises, our surgeries required planning consent to install the panels – an administrative obstacle not necessary for domestic residences. Local firm Hadrian Electrical Engineering has seen the project through and their sound advice and excellent quality of work has made the installation a completely painless process.
Northumberland Gazette 24th Feb 2012 more >>
FiT Changes
From 1 April homes will need an energy performance certificate (EPC) at grade D or above to qualify for higher feed-in tariff rates. On 9 February the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) released its comprehensive review of feed-in tariffs (FITs). Phase 1 of the review confirmed the new energy-efficiency requirements to be introduced from 1 April. Phase 2 focused on making the scheme sustainable for the long term, proposing to link future tariff reductions to the rate at which the industry grows. Tom Craig heads up the marketing team at one of the UK’s most successful installers of solar panels - Nottingham-based Evo Energy, and says the new measures should give people an incentive to install sooner rather than later. “We need to remember the rates are subject to consultation at this stage. But for now, the message is clear - those thinking about installing PV should make their move sooner rather than later. For those who install before April, you’ll also be spared the extra costs that may come with reaching EPC grade D.”
Business Green 23rd Feb 2012 more >>
Supreme Court
The UK government has, as promised, appealed to the Supreme Court against two previous court rulings declaring its action to rush through changes to the solar feed-in tariff (FIT) were unlawful.
Energy Efficiency News 23rd Feb 2012 more >>
Business Green 22nd Feb 2012 more >>
Edie 21st Feb 2012 more >>
Solar Growth
Explosive growth in solar panel installations on homes, schools and fields in the UK over the past 22 months saw the green energy source pass the symbolic milestone of 1,000MW on Wednesday. Since the feed-in tariff scheme was launched by the Labour administation in April 2010 to pay homeowners and businesses for generating their own green energy, the amount of solar has grown by more than 41 times, figures seen by the Guardian show. There was just 26MW of solar before the scheme.
Guardian 23rd Feb 2012 more >>
Scottish Solar Expansion
Despite the uncertainty caused by the recent feed-in tariff cuts, Absolute Solar and Wind has announced the employment of 30 new staff members as the company expands across Scotland. Headquartered in Glasgow, the solar PV, thermal and wind energy provider is now set to open three new offices in Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Inverness.
Solar Portal 23rd Feb 2012 more >>
Eco Park Turbine
OWNERS of the Mount Pleasant Eco Park have been granted planning permission to install a 14m wind turbine. Several residents and the Campaign to Protect Rural England had objected to the turbine claiming it would be a blot on the landscape and a noise nuisance. Owner Tim Stirrup, who hopes to install the 10kW turbine by the end of March, said it would provide more than a third of the site’s power.
West Briton 23rd Feb 2012 more >>
AD Plans
The Prince of Wales’ estate, financier Jacob Rothschild, and supermarket giant Sainsbury’s are among a number of investors to back a company looking to develop a UK network of over 40 anaerobic digestion (AD) plants. Start-up Tamar Energy has raised £65m to build the plants, which it estimates will generate 100MW of electricity from organic waste over the next five years. The biogas produced from the process can also be injected into the gas grid.
Business Green 23rd Feb 2012 more >>
Insulate Now
Figures released by Edinburgh Community Energy Co-operative show that £665,125 is wasted annually by Leith-dwellers who do not have loft insulation, while those without cavity wall insulation lose out on a further £248,700, totalling £913, 825. Stuart Hay, secretary of the Edinburgh Energy Co-op, said: “It’s vital that everyone in Leith takes action to cut their fuel bills because this is money that is literally going up in smoke. We are encouraging people in Leith to insulate because it’s quick, easy to do and households can start saving money immediately. “People should act now so they don’t miss out on the best insulation deals for years, which will change later in the year. A community like Leith could really benefit from the money saved by people insulating their homes.”
STV 22nd Feb 2012 more >>
Broughton Spurtle 22nd Feb 2012 more >>
FiT Proposals
The government’s proposals for updating the Feed-in Tariff have been largely well received by the industry, following a prolonged period of uncertainty. The reforms include establishing the 21p/kWh for domestic solar PV installations, effective from 1 April, with an eligibility date of 3 March. The government had previously outlined a requirement for properties installing solar PV panels to comply with an Energy Performance Certificate rating of C to quality. This has now been changed to an EPC rating of D, which DECC estimates currently includes approximately 50 per cent of all properties.
H&V News 22nd Feb 2012 more >>
Solar Industry
A POLITICIAN is to meet major players in the solar energy industry to discuss how their businesses can support a sustainable future for Wales. Vale of Clwyd MP Chris Ruane will be the keynote speaker at the ‘Finding solutions to create a sustainable photovoltaic industry’ talk. The event will be hosted by Glyndwr University’s Centre for Solar Energy Research (CSER) in St Asaph tomorrow.
Daily Post 22nd Feb 2012 more >>
Grimsby Solar
ELECTRICAL contractor Wil-lec is offering businesses and householders the chance to save money, while helping them make a contribution towards a greener planet. The Grimsby-based company, which has operated in the town for 15 years, can fit a comprehensive solar energy system to homes or businesses, which will reduce energy bills and even earn you money when you sell your excess power to the energy companies.
Scunthorpe Telegraph 21st Feb 2012 more >>
Solar Group Folds
Customers in Lincolnshire have been left concerned over whether they will ever receive a solar array or manage to get their money back after the Energy Saving Group (ESG) ceased trading amidst 40 complaints from disgruntled customers to Trading Standards. Customers across Lincolnshire reported giving ESG £500 to secure a solar array. However, after months of waiting the panels were never fitted.
Solar Portal 21st Feb 2012 more >>
Cockermouth Solar
CUMBRIAN solar panel installation was completed less than a week before the government slashed subsidies. Mitchell’s Auction Mart in Cockermouth invested more than £100,000 in its 212-panel installation. The company has cut its CO2 emissions by 23 tonnes a year and receives around £13,000 a year in subsidies but it could have been a very different story. On December 12, 2011, the government slashed the feed-in tariff, cutting the financial benefits for solar panel installations in half. Mitchell’s installation was completed just six days before the deadline and as director John Rockliffe explains, the higher feed-in tariff was a major reason in deciding to invest in solar energy.
NW Evening Mail 21st Feb 2012 more >>
Community Hydro
A new project aims to encourage communities to help develop much smaller hydro electric schemes on the rivers and streams of Wales. Rob Shelley has been to visit one project at Dolwyddelan in the Conway Valley countryside.
Wales Tonight 21st Feb 2012 more >>
Solar Debacle
The government is reportedly poised to lodge a Supreme Court appeal against two court rulings which branded its plans to cut solar incentives as illegal. Solar firms have been informed the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) will this week submit an application to the Supreme Court in an attempt to ensure it can impose cuts to feed-in tariffs (FITs) on installations completed after December 12 last year.
Business Green 21st Feb 2012 more >>
Renewable Heat from Wind
The pioneering district heating scheme in the Shetland capital Lerwick is to expand thanks to a unique ‘Wind to Heat’ renewable energy collaboration with power company SSE. Shetland Heat Energy and Power Ltd (SHEAP), a company wholly owned by Shetland Charitable Trust, has already won praise for its district heating scheme that feeds hot water into 1,000 homes and 100 non-domestic properties. The scheme currently uses what would otherwise be unused heat from the local waste to energy plant’s incinerator to heat water and has reached capacity. SHEAP has a growing backlog of potential customers wanting to connect to this affordable, green heating system. Now, in a UK first, SHEAP is looking to proceed with an innovative project using energy from wind turbines to heat water in a huge kettle-like thermal store. This will allow an extra 300 homes and 30 non-domestic properties to sign up, meeting some of the demand to get away from oil-fired and electric heating.
Click Green 21st Feb 2012 more >>
Insulation Incentive
British Gas is offering £50 to anyone who refers vulnerable individuals to British Gas for free loft or cavity wall insulation. Under the newly-revealed ‘Share the Warmth’ scheme, British Gas will give £50 to every individual who refers a person on qualifying benefits for free insulation. The vulnerable individual who then receives the free insulation will also take home £50 themselves once the installation is complete.
Solar Portal 21st Feb 2012 more >>
Solar Battle
The department of energy and climate change has confirmed that it will lodge its appeal later today against a ruling that its proposed cuts to the subsidy regime for solar power were unlawful.
Utility Week 21st Feb 2012 more >>
DECC Q&A
The Department of Energy and Climate Change has published a series of questions and answers to help installers and customers understand the implications of new proposals to the feed-in tariff published last month
Solar Portal 21st Feb 2012 more >>
Small Wind Boom
Kinetica Energy has adapted the so-called free solar model to the small-wind-turbine sector, leasing suitable land to install turbines with between 10kW and 500kW of capacity, which then qualify for the government’s feed-in tariff incentive scheme. Contrary to popular belief, rural interest in wind turbine technologies is currently soaring.
Business Green 20th Feb 2012 more >>
Brixham Fish Market
Pipe Center has supplied a state-of-the-art solar water heating system for installation at the recently redeveloped Brixham Fish Market. The Andrews Water Heaters system was installed by specialist contractor Space Engineering Services Ltd as part of a multi-million redevelopment of Brixham Fish Market and related harbour area.
Green Economy 20th Feb 2012 more >>
Peak Panels
FEARS over the number of solar panels being installed on traditional roofs were raised at a recent meeting of Chapel-en-le-Frith Parish Council. The concerns centred around roofs that contributed to the streetscape, or those that could be seen from the surrounding hills.
Buxton Advertiser 20th Feb 2012 more >>
Meeting Band D
The government has confirmed that solar PV modules could contribute to a building’s energy-efficiency rating, making it easier for properties that install solar panels to qualify for feed-in tariff incentives. Under recent changes to the solar feed-in tariff scheme, anyone wishing to register for the solar electricity feed-in tariff from 1 April must obtain a Level D Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) on their property.
Business Green 20th Feb 2012 more >>
As of April 1, 2012 all new solar PV systems wishing to receive the full feed-in tariff rate available will have to be accompanied with a valid EPC level D. Following mounting confusion, DECC has confirmed that a solar installation will contribute to bringing the property up to EPC level D.
Solar Power Portal 20th Feb 2012 more >>
London Generates
A number of London’s SMEs have invested in generating their own energy and even more plan to follow within the next five years, according to a survey. About 13 per cent of the capital’s small and medium-sized firms now generate at least some of their own energy, higher than the national average of six per cent, Opus Energy’s research found.
London Loves Business 20th Feb 2012 more >>
Rotherham Turbine
A FARMER has won permission to harness wind power on his land with a 27-metre high turbine. John Brocksopp will use the electricity generated on his Harthill farm with any surplus going into the national grid.
Rotherham Advertiser 20th Feb 2012 more >>
Solar Supplies
RENEWABLE energy company Eco Environments has launched a wholesale division after signing a pair of distribution deals with German manufacturers.The Liverpool-based firm has secured northern regional distributorships with solar panel maker Winaico and K2 Systems, which makes mountings for the panels.
Business Desk 20th Feb 2012 more >>
Green Deal Data
Gemserv is to issue an invitation to tender to find a firm to design and build a new Green Deal Central Change database (GDCC) that will hold the details of any property registered for the Green Deal and calculate fees owed to each supplier of energy efficiency measures.
Business Green 20th Feb 2012 more >>
Solar Prices
A steep decline in solar panel prices is helping solar installers attract new capital, a trend likely to trigger consolidation in the fragmented industry and drive down the cost of putting the renewable energy system on rooftops.
Reuters 17th Feb 2012 more >>
Solar Plans
UK government ministers have recently angered the solar industry with proposals that will see incentives cut by 35 percent; significantly lower than other renewable energies and a level that some believe will send the sector into contraction. Howard Johns from the Solar Trade Association went as far as to Tweet that the government had announced “ambitious new plans for destroying the UK solar industry.”
Market Oracle 17th Feb 2012 more >>
IKEA
In 2011, IKEA spent £166 million on installing 40 solar PV arrays across seven countries. In the UK, 5,000 solar modules were installed on the roof of the West Quay road store in Southampton. IKEA hopes that by March next year, a total of 39,000 panels will be installed on ten stores around the country. In total, IKEA’s UK solar ambition could generate up to 1,600,000 kWh every year, cutting IKEA’s carbon dioxide consumption by 662 tonnes a year. Steve Howard, Chief Sustainability Officer, IKEA Group said: “We aim for all IKEA UK buildings to be fitted with solar panels in the long-term. As well as reducing our impact on the environment, these initiatives come with a strong financial incentive as consuming less energy means we spend less money, which helps us lower the prices on our products.”
Solar Power Portal 17th Feb 2011 more >>
Domestic Installation
A new survey from 2010 reveals that upfront costs of up to 14,000 and lengthy payback times can discourage even the most environmentally conscious citizens from installing domestic renewable technology, such as solar panels and wind generators. However, people signing up to a ‘climate pledging’ scheme were still at least 11 times more likely to install these technologies than the average person in the UK.
Recycling Portal 17th Feb 2012 more >>