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Countrywide has become the latest UK firm to embrace the green revolution by launching a renewable energy division. The Worcestershire-based firm, which specialises in providing products and services for the rural community, chose this year’s Royal Welsh Show in Llanelwedd to unveil its new business venture that will offer an independent service to farmers looking to build renewable energy projects.

By installing a large field-based solar array, Cornish holiday company The Olde House in Chapel Amble will significantly reduce its annual energy bills. By connecting to the National Grid, the 242kW field-based array, which is one of the first in the area, pipped Government’s feed-in tariff cuts to the post.

Plans are being put in place for a large roll out of solar panels in Eastbourne. Cabinet Councillors at the Borough Council last night approved the scheme, which will see the installation of solar panels on between 700 to 1,500 council owned houses and non-domestic buildings.

South Wales-based Ikaros Solar, which provides solar power system consultancy and design expertise to the commercial and business sector, is now an official UK module distribution partner for German manufacturer Solon SE.

Organic Energy has now secured an agreement to supply SCHOTT Solar PV products, providing the company with an opportunity to enter into the agricultural sector. SCHOTT’s power modules have been independently tested and approved to withstand exposure to the ammonia produced in livestock farming environments for at least 25 years.

Forming a positive response to the debate surrounding the fast-track feed-in tariff review, Lords from all sides of the House yesterday came out in unanimous support for solar. Going along with the recommendations of the Solar Trade Association, the Lords agreed that solar had been treated unfairly, and that policy…

Little Horwood Hall is now home to a 3.525kWp solar photovoltaic system, demonstrating how the technology of the 21st Century can work with the architectural style of the 19th to create a sustainable future for an old building.

Signing off on one of the largest solar deals in the UK, the Peabody Group, which includes London housing associations Peabody and CBHA, has selected building contractor Breyer Group to install solar panels across 25 London boroughs.

Solar South West recently completed a 1MW installation at Coombe Farm in Crewkerne, Somerset. The project begun on April 17 this year, and was fully commissioned by June 24, allowing it to benefit from the higher feed-in tariff rates.

Government’s Renewable Energy Roadmap, which was published on Tuesday alongside the Electricity Market Reform paper, has left the UK solar sector feeling a little dejected after the technology was excluded from a list of eight renewable energy sources expected to play a key role in the country’s energy mix through 2020.