News

BKS Energy successfully completed the 320kW solar farm just days ahead of the feed-in tariff alterations. Working together with the Isle of Wight Planning department and Scottish and Southern Electric, the company was able to finalise the project despite the uncertainty caused by the Fast-Track Review.

The first day of August, which we have all been talking about since early March, is finally here. Marking the beginning of new, lower feed-in tariff rates for all photovoltaic installations over 50kW, today signifies the end of the UK’s solar industry as we know it.

Non-profit IPS community energy company OVESCO has successfully completed the installation of the UK's first 100% community-funded solar power station. The Lewes Community Power Station was switched on today, Saturday 30th July, just hours before Government’s new; lower feed-in tariff rates take effect.   

Spanish solar cell and module manufacturer, Solaria Energía y Medio Ambiente, has signed a strategic agreement for the supply of more than 500 solar rooftops in Northumbria. All of the council house and public sector building installations, which will start at less than 2kW and reach up to 10kW, will be completely grid connected within the next months.

AZUR SOLAR has installed the largest, self-funded roof-mounted solar photovoltaic system in the UK for Ethical retailer The Body Shop – just days before the effects of the fast-track feed-in tariff review set in. At 883kW the 6,355 square meter installation consists of 3,840 AZUR SOLAR 2P panels and is situated at the Company's head office site in Watersmead, Sussex.

Cornish sustainable energy charity Community Energy Plus has launched a new scheme that will see community buildings, schools, churches, charities and farm buildings generate their own renewable energy – for free. After securing an investment package of £20 million from local photovoltaics installers, the Solar Communities 2011 programme will encourage those who cannot afford the upfront cost of solar to take the plunge.

Octopus Investments has successfully funded the installation of 11 large-scale solar projects throughout the UK ahead of the August 1 fast-track feed-in tariff deadline. The investment company has now completed 30MW of projects in partnership with Lightsource Renewable Energy, which was responsible for developing each of the sites. Many other companies are now working against the clock to complete their projects before the fast-approaching deadline.

Bedford-based arable farmer Charles Paytner is now benefitting from a 26.125kWp solar system on Yelden Farm’s barn roof, installed by Solar Partner.

MPrime, Martifer Solar’s photovoltaic distribution branch, has received accreditation under the Microgeneration Certification Scheme for its crystalline photovoltaic (PV) module. Awarded by the British Standards Institution (BSI) the Kitemark license means the company’s product is now eligible under the UK’s feed-in tariff scheme.

Adding to the ever-increasing number of large-scale solar parks in the UK, Gehrlicher Solar has completed the Langage Solar Park 5MW, located near Plymouth. Built on an area of 14 hectares the project is expected to produce 4.95 million kilowatt hours of renewable energy each year, providing solar power to approximately 1,400 households.