Commercial & Residential Solar

Strutt & Parker has developed an innovative solution for new agricultural buildings that incorporates solar PV right from the initial construction. The solar barn was developed by the company’s newly-created energy division, which has been working closely with a number of rural landowners to develop agricultural buildings that incorporate solar PV to lower utility costs and benefit from the feed-in tariff (FiT).

With the April 1 2012 deadline upon us, solar power installations in the UK must now abide by the EPC requirements to access the full solar feed-in tariff rates. One of the pivotal aspects with domestic homes reaching the ‘D’ banded EPC rating is the presence of a condensing boiler. This is because in combination with a solar power system the condensing boiler lifts the majority of properties into the required EPC band.

Blaenau Gwent Council and the United Welsh Housing Association have now completed the construction of two fully energy efficient homes in Ebbw Vale, Blaenau Gwent.

Over the last couple of years I have been participating in an MCS working group that addresses roofing and mounting issues for solar PV and solar thermal systems. This work has led to the publication of MCS 012 – Product Certification Scheme Requirements: Pitched Roof Installation Kits – Issue 1.0.

Rexel UK has launched phase two of its sustainable home at the BRE Innovation Park. Originally built in June 2007, the Sigma Home has been showcasing best practice in efficient retrofitting to help show visitors what they could achieve with current technologies.

Northumbria University has developed a formula to help predict the impact electric vehicles (EV) will have on the national grid. The new formula was developed as a collaborative effort between the University and the Charge your Car project, a Government programme that is overseeing the rollout of over 1,000 electric car charging points across the North East.

The Supreme Court has today refused the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) permission to appeal the Court of Appeal’s judgement on the feed in tariff…

MAP Environmental has increased its solar portfolio with the launch of non-gallium MAP Power modules and gallium-based MAP Power Plus modules. Both offerings have been launched in the UK for the first time at Ecobuild 2012.

Durham-based solar photovoltaic manufacturer Romag Ltd has announced an alliance with Chinese cell and module manufacturer LDK Solar. The cell supply partnership will see the two companies share their respective expertise to drive the development of new solar technologies.

Bisol Group is set to showcase its high efficiency PV modules featuring anti-reflective layered glass at Ecobuild 2012. With new power classes of 257W and 263W, the modules are designed to help consumers maximise their available roof space.