Solar Media Staff

Global photovoltaics company Gehrlicher Solar has opened a UK-based subsidiary in Birmingham. Gehrlicher Solar UK was officially registered on March 30, 2011.

Durham-based solar panel and specialist glass manufacturer Romag has been acquired by Gentoo. The purchase marks the people and property business’ entrance into the solar PV market.

Wirsol Solar UK has launched a new trade division, making it possible for photovoltaics installers to have access to products at wholesale prices around the clock. The Solar4Trade website will supply high performance products at a competitive cost to all those working in the country’s solar industry.

According to m03 Power’s Chief Executive Officer, Ken Moss, Government’s recently proposed feed-in tariff cuts could put 90,000 jobs, which would have been generated by Britain’s burgeoning solar industry, in jeopardy.

WWF has announced its resignation from the Zero Carbon Taskforce with immediate effect following the Government's decision to change policy without prior discussion. Released in documents accompanying the Budget, Government decided that the definition of Zero Carbon Homes will no longer include the emissions from unregulated energy use within the home. By removing appliances and their energy use from the definition this policy can no longer be defined as "zero carbon" argues WWF.

So here we are, one year after the implementation of the UK feed-in tariff, and boy what a year it has been. After implementing a generous feed-in tariff on April 1, 2010, Government has made several hasty decisions that have changed the market considerably during the last 12 months. Industry has now reached a point where it will either fight onwards, or pull away. For now, let’s see how the feed-in tariff held up in its first year in the UK.

I have had many meetings in recent weeks with DECC / Ministers and Officials. The new FIT’s team comprises of Rachel Solomon-Williams and Alisdair Grainger and they are a breath of fresh air to deal with.

In what is probably the most shocking turn of events since the launch of the FiT review, Joju Solar has announced that it has been awarded the contract to carry out a major solar installation on the House of Commons. This news comes exactly one year to the day after the introduction of the feed-in tariff.

This week, members of parliament met in Westminster Hall in the House of Commons to discuss Government’s recent proposal to cut the feed-in tariff rates for solar photovoltaic installations over 50kW. Leading the debate was Alex Cunningham, who took on board the challenge of fighting back against the cuts…

County Durham-based solar panel manufacturer Cleaner Air Solutions has become the first company in the region to purchase a fleet of Nissan Leaf electric cars. Employees will now drive to work safe in the knowledge that they are not adding to the country’s carbon boot print.