Solar Media Staff

After committing to freeze its electricity prices until 2012 renewable electricity supplier Good Energy has stepped up its commitment to solar energy, aiming to source one third of its electricity from the power of the sun. This news marks a major milestone for the industry, as solar previously represented less than 1% of the company’s output.

Ecotec World have completed the first stage of an 800kW solar photovoltaic installation at Meile’s UK Headquarters in Oxfordshire.

After fending off competition from almost 200 keen applicants, Sharp Solar’s installer competition winner has now completed his training. Walking away as a competent solar photovoltaics installer, Matthew Hawkins of Pembrokeshire, Wales now plans to complete his Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) accreditation in order to begin bringing solar power to UK homes.

Today the largest trial of home energy management systems kicks off in the UK as Climate Energy launches SmartHomes2020. The pilot scheme will see 5,000 homeowners receive a free solar photovoltaics installation combined with a home energy management system from PassivSystems.

Providing installers with a UK-based dedicated support network Sanyo Component Europe today launches the Solar Premium Installer Programme. The new website offers experienced solar photovoltaics installers the opportunity to keep up with the latest industry developments while increasing their penetration of…

Solar Power Intl Ltd has recently commissioned a 96.6kWp solar photovoltaic system at Berryfields Farm near Coventry. By completing this project, the Dorset-based solar installer can now claim the largest Suntech PV installation in the UK to date.

Glenrothes-based Kingdom Housing Association has bettered more than 500 other nominees by walking away with a Green Apple Environmental Award for its Kingdom House project in Pittenweem, Fife. This November the organisation will be presented with the prize at an awards ceremony held at the House of Commons.

The latest research from Barclays finds that more than a third of the UK’s 200,000 farmers are expecting to invest in renewable energy, with the aim of generating returns averaging £25,000 per year. The survey of 300 dairy farmers in England, Scotland and Wales throughout August 2011 was published to correspond with the launch of a £100 million fund, which will help to make these plans a reality.

At a time when Government is striving to gear up its ‘go green’ strategy, new research conducted by utility and environmental consultancy Gemserv has identified a widespread lack of green awareness. Over 50% of the survey respondents were unable to correctly identify that Government’s Green Deal is related to energy efficiency initiatives, suggesting instead that it was designed to protect national forests or to increase the number of hybrid cars on the road.

Trade shows and site visits aside, I don’t often get the opportunity to unshackle myself from my desk and get up-close and personal with the subject of my daily musings, so, when I was offered the chance to learn how to install actual solar panels on a real-life roof, I grabbed it with both hands. Making our way to Trade Skills 4U’s Crawley-based head office, Solar Power Portal’s latest intern, Sam Pilgrim and I donned our hard hats and high visibility jackets…