News

Thames Water has signed a £7 million contract with Ennoviga Solar, which could see the utility company named as the UK’s largest on-site solar power producer and industrial user. Under the terms of the 25-year agreement, Ennoviga will own and maintain the solar arrays, selling the electricity generated back to Thames Water in order to recoup the investment.

Social housing repairs and maintenance service provider Mears Group has announced a new contract for the installation of photovoltaic solar panels in and around Peterborough. The contract, to be executed in partnership with British Gas, has been signed with Cross Keys Homes.

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.