week ending 22 June 2012
Europe and Energy Saving Tax
EU Commission says UK tax relief on insulation and microgeneration is illegal, posing major threat to Green Deal energy-efficiency scheme.
Business Green 22nd June 2012 more >>
Scottish Strategy
The Microgeneration Strategy for Scotland is a sectoral Routemap, which sits alongside the Renewables Routemap 2020. The Strategy outlines Scottish Government aims and ambitions for the growth of Microgeneration in Scotland, building on what has already been achieved. This strategy shows the part we can all play in building a cleaner, greener Scotland and this strategy shows how microgeneration can contribute to that aim. It also sets out how far we have come in moving microgeneration from a niche market into the mainstream where we see the future for microgeneration and how we will continue support development. The strategy also focuses on the development of a strong market base by 2020. Beyond 2020, we wish to see a sustainable and viable market to help us deliver the transition to a Low Carbon Economy.
Scottish Government 22nd June 2012 more >>
Harrogate Controls
Harrogate Borough Council is looking into placing controls on properties fronting The Stray in Harrogate in relation to the installation of solar panels (both photovoltaic and solar thermal). In the majority of cases planning permission is not required for solar panels, as long as they are within a given size. The new measures are being proposed to protect the conservation area of the Stray and would apply tighter controls on 962 residential addresses.
Harrogate News 22nd June 2012 more >>
Solar Link
A CO DOWN solar energy firm has teamed up with an Australasian venture to market heating systems in key European markets. The partnership deal between CoolSky, of Newtownards, and Apricus Solar, a Chinese-Australian company now a world leader in solar heat collection tubes, was agreed at the recent InterSolar industry exhibition in Munich last weekend.
Belfast Telegraph 22nd June 2012 more >>
Hull Solar
The solar industry has been on a rollercoaster ride. There have been legal battles, job losses and months of uncertainty. With the rough ride behind it, the industry is now hoping businesses and homeowners can plan with confidence after new changes were announced by the Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) last month. From August, tariffs on small domestic solar installation will be 16p/kWh. The export tariff – the price paid for each kilowatt-hour of energy produced – will be increased from 3.2p to 4.5p.
Hull Daily Mail 22nd June 2012 more >>
LEDs
Toyota may be famous for producing green cars such as its iconic Prius hybrid, but the company has this week confirmed it is also taking significant steps to cut carbon emissions from its operations through the rollout of highly efficient LED lighting. The auto giant reported yesterday that its UK operations slashed its carbon emissions by more than a 10th last year as a direct result of the deployment of new LED lighting systems and controls at a number of its facilities.
Business Green 22nd June 2012 more >>
Bernard Matthews Community Wind
Bernard Matthews has unveiled plans to build six community-backed wind turbines at its turkey farms in an effort to reduce the carbon footprint of its business. The company yesterday launched a Wind Energy Co-operative, which aims to raise enough money to install single 500kw turbines on six sites in Norfolk and Lincolnshire.
Business Green 22nd June 2012 more >>
H&V News 21st June 2012 more >>
Windpower Monthly 20th June 2012 more >>
BBC 20th June 2012 more >>
Solar Goat Farm
Hager has supplied the circuit protection for a large solar photovoltaic (PV) system at a goat farm near Shepton Mallet. The circuit protection consists of distribution equipment that includes a panel board, meters, RCDs and IP65 TP&N boards. The photovoltaic installation generates a potential 100kW of electricity for the goat farm.
ESTA 20th June 2012 more >>
Wholesale Solar
Oxfordshire-based solar company Evergreen PV has now expanded its wholesale services to cover the entire UK, sourcing products for both domestic and commercial projects. James Woollard, Managing Director at Evergreen PV, explains: “We’ve been talking to manufacturers of solar products from all four corners of the world. Because we’ve taken the time to do this, we have been able to source the best products out there, providing us with a competitive advantage through product design, quality, service, and price.”
Solar Power Portal 21st June 2012 more >>
CHP
More and more people and factories around the world are investing in cogenerating power, or combined heat and power (CHP), another small-scale effort to control emissions and increase efficiency. This promising technology, being driven mostly by individuals and businesses, deserves some investigation.
Huffington Post 21st June 2012 more >>
PV Charter
The British Photovoltaics Association (BPVA) has today published the UK Solar PV Industry Charter, which sets out how the UK solar industry is delivering significant opportunities to the UK and its economy, and how it intends to continue to deliver these benefits in partnership with Government. The Charter has been formed around five key aspirations for deployment and use of solar PV in the UK including the investment and development of energy security in the UK, the generation of financial security for families by lowering energy bills and creating new jobs, the provision of clean, affordable and renewable energy, the sharing of knowledge and expertise in standardisation and certification in the sector with other nations and finally, the reduction of the UK’s carbon emissions.
Solar Power Portal 21st June 2012 more >>
Solar Manufacturing
Providing a boost for both the UK economy and the solar industry a Midlands-based company has today revealed plans to build a 30MW solar photovoltaics manufacturing plant in the UK. Sunsolar was granted a £5 million Government fund backed by Sandwell Council and the Regional Growth Fund which will be added to a £5 million company investment. This finance will be used to build the new PV manufacturing facility, which will be based in Oldbury. Sunsolar is one of just 50 companies to achieve successful grants from the Fund. The factory is due to be opened at the end of October and is expected to create almost 600 new jobs in the West Midlands.
Solar Power Portal 20th June 2012 more >>
PV Tech 20th June 2012 more >>
Small Hydro
SmartestEnergy, a leading indepedent purchaser of power, have highlighted the potential of hydro power in Scotland. Tens of millions of pounds of investment in smaller-scale hydropower projects in Scotland could be unlocked by the outcome of a review of a green energy support scheme, industry leaders have predicted.
Green Energy.net 20th June 2012 more >>
Uncertainty over subsidies for small-scale hydro-electric systems is holding back as much as £100m worth of investment in Scotland alone, a trade body for the sector believes. The British Hydropower Association (BHA) estimates that although over £5m was paid out to independent generators in Scotland over the past year under the feed-in tariff (FiT) incentive scheme there is still significant scope to grow the industry.
Business Green 20th June 2012 more >>
Highland Consortium
A new ‘powerhouse’ in renewables in the form of an alliance between four already successful Perthshire-based renewables companies, is formally being launched at the GWCT Scottish Game Fair, Perth, on Friday 29 July. The four companies, Glen Hydro, Green Highland Renewables, Glendevon Energy and Realise Renewables, have come together under the Highland Renewables Consortium (HRC) banner to pool their expertise in providing a ‘one stop shop’ to deliver effective single or multi-technology solutions across areas of wind, hydro, solar, biomass and energy efficiency. The initiative has been supported by Perth & Kinross Council, recognizing that this joint approach, and the development of an HRC brand, will set Perthshire at the forefront of the delivery of renewables solutions for the rural sector.
Green Energy.net 20th June 2012 more >>
London Hydro
London’s first ‘Archimedes Screw’ hydro-electric turbine, which will create enough power to run 12 households a year, is set to be installed in the river Wandle. The installation of the turbine has begun and will be completed in September at the river at Morden Hall Park, which is the final phase of a two-ear project to create the most energy effient building in the country.
Wimbledon Guardian 20th June 2012 more >>
Green Deal Training
In preparation for the launch of Government’s flagship energy policy the National Skills Academy for Environmental Technologies is expanding its training portfolio to offer courses on the Green Deal. Due to be rolled out in October this year, the Green Deal will require installers to have new key skills and competencies. The NSAET will cater for this requirement, including sessions on building insulation, consumer awareness, energy efficiency, energy assessment, energy advice, and underpinning business and management skills.
Solar Portal 20th June 2012 more >>
Solar Future
The UK solar industry is at a crossroads in its development, according to Edwin Koot, chief executive of Solarplaza. Edwin Koot believes that it’s now up to the industry players, and not the government, to shape the UK market for solar PV.
Roofing, Cladding and Insulation 19th June 2012 more >>
New Solar Thermal
A new collaboration between SABIC and VU University Amsterdam has been launched to develop a new solar thermal technology. This new agreement is designed to develop and commercialise the university’s invention to keep the temperature in solar energy collectors under control, and so allow customers to benefit from lighter weight, more efficient and lower cost solar thermal panels in the future.
Energy Management 19th June 2012 more >>
Free Insulation
Anesco has cemented its position as the leading player within energy efficiency solutions, after securing a hat trick of local authority contracts to install cavity and loft insulation in thousands of homes.
Anesco 19th June 2012 more >>
Pub Wind
A remote 500-year-old inn that faced closure due to crippling energy costs has installed wind turbines in a bid to remain open. The Kirkstone Pass Inn in the Lake District National Park had been relying on expensive diesel generators for all electrical power, but its future was left hanging in the balance when energy bills totalled £25,000 last year.
Publicans’ Morning Advertiser 19th June 2012 more >>
Energy Management 15th June 2012 more >>
Leicester Mercury 15th June 2012 more >>
Green Energy Doctor
A SPORTS club has made £500 in just a few months through energy feed-in tariffs thanks to a Northumberland renewable energy company. Bywell-based Green Energy Doctor has helped nearby Stocksfield Cricket Club gain much- needed income by fitting solar panels to the clubhouse. Phil Wise, managing director of Green Energy Doctor said: “This is a great example of how sports clubs can benefit from feed-in tariffs and expert and relevant advice. “We’ve provided the club with solar photovoltaic panels, which despite the wet weather, have earned the club over £500 feed-in tariff since the start of the year.
Newcastle Journal 19th June 2012 more >>
Solar Future
One of the most popular events occurring on the fringe of the Intersolar PV show in Munich last week was a half-day session on the future prospects for PV deployment within the UK,organized by Solar Media, Ltd. under the banner of Doing Solar Business in the UK. The UK PV industry hopes that the UK will have accumulated 22GW of PV installations by 2020. Having installed over 400MW in each of Q4’11 and Q1’12, the climate today is one of recovery after the period of stop/start legal wrangles that gripped the UK PV industry until a broadly acceptable solution was unveiled in the DECC (UK Department of Energy and Climate Change) Impact Assessment of May 2012. Even though the Impact Assessments of February and May – and the subsequent capacity-based automatic baseline degression model – revealed a more manageable mechanism for subsequent feed-in tariff revisions, it was inevitable that some of the top-line numbers would be showcased in public, particularly the fact that the UK ‘could’ have 22GW of cumulative PV installed by 2020. This figure would imply that over 20GW of PV capacity (equivalent to 70 percent of the global PV installed during 2011) will be added in the UK over the next eight years. Does this sound plausible?
Solar Portal 19th June 2012 more >>
Wholesale Microgen
The independent electrical wholesaler based in Lancashire has become one of a handful of distributors in the North of England to stock the German manufacturer’s comprehensive range of ground source heat pumps, biomass boilers, air source heat pumps and solar thermal products. The partnership with Viessmann brings a new revenue stream for LED Electrical which recently opened the third branch in its property portfolio, now spanning across Blackburn, Rossendale and Nelson.
LED Electrical 19th June 2012 more >>
Commercial Property Solar
Commercial property landlords and owner-occupiers are being urged to take a fresh look at the opportunities presented by using solar photovoltaic (PV) roof panels on their buildings. Salloway Property Consultants say that media coverage highlighting the reduction in feed-in-tariffs (FITs) – the rate at which the Government says you can sell electricity you do not use back to the grid – means investors have assumed that the bubble has burst and returns are now marginal. But, from work it is carrying out, Salloway believes that investment returns of up to 15% remain available but are generally being overlooked by the market.
Nottingham Post 19th June 2012 more >>
Gloucester Solar Offices
OCCUPIERS of Elmbridge Court office park near Gloucester are set to benefit from lower energy bills, thanks to a £600,000 investment in solar panels by owners Bridges Ventures Sustainable Property Fund and asset managers Ashbridge Developments Ltd. The property fund acquired the 44,000 sq ft business park late last year and, as part of its strategy to invest in environmentally sustainable buildings, has installed solar photovoltaic panels on all 25 office buildings.
Gloucestershire Echo 19th June 2012 more >>
Solar Subsidies
In a leaked email seen by the Telegraph, Cabinet Office Minister, Oliver Letwin, spoke of Government’s desire to phase out subsidies for both solar PV and onshore wind by 2020 because both technologies should reach grid-parity before the end of the decade.
Solar Portal 19th June 2012 more >>
Community Solar
Communities and families across the west are invited to be part of the launch of a unique share offer in Westmill Solar Cooperative this weekend. The solar farm, which is based in Watchfield, could become the largest community-owned power station in the world.
Wiltshire Gazette 19th June 2012 more >>
Dunstable Solar Scheme
Habinteg Housing Association has installed solar arrays on all 46 properties of the association’s tenants in Clerkes Way, Houghton Regis. Andrew Selous MP, and Councillor Peter Williams, Deputy Mayor of Houghton Regis Town Council, visited the project to view the solar panels, installed to help households become more fuel efficient and overcome fuel poverty. The solar scheme is designed to provide tenants with the opportunity of making significant savings on their energy bills, with all electricity generated from the arrays being fed equally between ground and first floor flats.
Solar Portal 18th June 2012 more >>
Devon Wind Co-op
Three proposed wind farms in Devon are to be developed through a democratic co-operative in which residents can invest between £250 and £20,000. The Devon Community Wind Cooperative is being set-up with the aim of owning three new projects across the county. It is being set up by Energy4All which was established in 2002 and already has seven successful co-operatives mainly in the north of England and Scotland.
Western Morning News 18th June 2012 more >>
Micro Power Solution to Economic Crisis
No one can doubt that the Western world is going through a financial crisis but what could be the innovation to drag the global economy into its next phase? Green energy, according to Allianz Global Investors. The switch to renewable energy, conversion of buildings into micro power stations, advances in energy storage, the expansion of a global “smart grid” system and transport powered by fuel cells will together constitute an industry capable of helping to drive the next upswing.
Times 18th June 2012 more >>
Westmill Solar Co-op Share Offer
Communities invited to be part of share offer.
Wilshire Business 18th June 2012 more >>
Eco2Solar
KIDDERMINSTER-based renewable energy specialist Eco2Solar has signed a Preferred Supplier Agreement with constructor Galliford Try. It will take on its existing solar PV contracts as well as being given the opportunity for its new solar energy contracts. The agreement was earned following a bid process with four specialised solar PV companies.
Kidderminster Shuttle 18th June 2012 more >>
Waste Heat Recycling
A SCOTTISH company is attempting to corner a new £2 billion market for turning waste heat into electricity. Heliex Power, based in East Kilbride, near Glasgow, has developed a way of capturing low-temperature steam that is usually discharged by factories and turning it into power. The potential for Heliex’s technology has attracted interest from large investors. Its admirers include BP’s Ventures arm, which backs clean technology innovations. The oil giant first invested in Heliex in December 2010 and stumped up more cash in the firm’s latest £5m fundraising.
Sunday Times 17th June 2012 more >>
Green Deal Shortfall
What was originally meant to be a mass programme to insulate nearly half the nation’s housing stock is now set to be just a niche scheme, tinkering at the edges, it is claimed. Knauf Insulation external affairs director Steven Heath has spoken out in response to the publication this week of the necessary secondary legislation and the final stage impact assessment. “The numbers provided this week fall significantly short of the cited ambitions,” he said. The numbers provided this week fall significantly short of the cited ambitions for the 14 million homes needing to be retrofitted and the creation of 65,000 jobs. “The Department of Energy & Climate Change (DECC) statistics show that 10 million (43%) of all lofts remain inadequately insulated and eight million houses with cavity walls (42%) have yet to be insulated. In spite of this, the impact assessment outlines that just 364,000 loft installations are envisaged up to 2015 – greatly contrasting with previous years’ figures, with the full total prediction of just 1.7 million by 2022.”
Construction Index 15th June 2012 more >>
Biomass Beer
Following the conversion of the water heating process in the brewery from LPG gas to biomass in 2011 by HWEnergy, forward thinking Black Isle Brewery have ensured that their beer is not only organic, but also renewable. To celebrate the conversion, HWEnergy and Black Isle Brewery have teamed up again this time to launch their ‘Wood Fuelled Fury’ beer.
HW Energy 15th June 2012 more >>
Solar Farming in Cornwall
A report from BBC News has advised that German company Kronos Solar is considering developing a 25MW solar farm on Lower Wheatley Farm, north of Launceston in Cornwall. The project would be constructed across 120-acres and would be the largest solar farm in the county. The report points out that the local authority notes that Kronos is one of various firms currently pondering over constructing a solar farm in the area between 20-30MW.
PV-tech 15th June 2012 more >>
Community Solar
Greg Barker, the Minister for Energy and Climate Change has spoke of his desire to see more community-funded solar projects across the country after visiting one of the first schools in the UK to generate its own electricity from a community-funded solar project. Visiting the Cherwell School in Oxford, Barker said: “The way to get a wider up take of solar is through community schemes, we want community energy groups to flourish.”
Solar Portal 15th June 2012 more >>
European Energy Efficiency
The European Union has agreed on a legally-binding energy efficiency target after protracted negotiations. The new directive requires all 27 EU member states to collectively reduce their energy consumption by a minimum of 17 percent by 2020. The new measures fall short of the original intended target of 20 percent after intense lobbying from a number of countries, including the UK, led to the compromised 17 percent target being adopted.
Solar Portal 15th June 2012 more >>
Business Green 15th June 2012 more >>
Supersolar Hub
Experts from Loughborough University are to lead a new £5 million project to boost research, training and industry partnerships in the solar energy sector. The new SUPERSOLAR hub will see the creation of the UK’s first standards lab for solar energy devices, a training programme for the PV sector and the formation of an inclusive solar community that links research carried out in universities and industry.
EE Times 14th June 2012 more >>
Micro Power Solution to Economic Crisis
‘The Challenges of Driving Disruptive Innovation in the Teeth of Opposition from Nuclear and Fossil Fuel Incumbents,’ Jeremy Leggett, Founder and Chairman, SolarCentury and Chairman, Carbon Tracker Initiative.
You Tube 10th June 2012 more >>