Commercial & Residential Solar

The results of a new survey, conducted by IMS Research, reveal that there is a growing approval of Chinese solar inverters worldwide, with the UK ranked as one of the most accepting markets. The results also highlight an increase in the use of three-phase string and microinverters.

The Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) has launched a set of proposals on changes to the Building Regulations regime, which could boost the uptake of Green Deal measures. Under the new requirements, building owners carrying out extensions or conversions could be forced to add energy efficiency improvements worth 10 percent of the value of the improvements.

In its Green Deal consultation submission, sent to the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) before the January 18 deadline, Worcester Bosch warned Government that commission-based assessors might be tempted to inaccurately sell Green Deal finance packages.

Thames Water has announced that all 3.7MW of its solar projects have been signed off by Ofgem at the 30.7p/kWh pre-cut feed-in tariff rates. By completing the installations before the 12.9p rate kicked in, the company will generate a potential income difference of millions of pounds over the lifespan of the feed-in tariff scheme.

I have recently Just come across PV module that’s marketed as 235Wp +7% to +12% To me that’s a 251Wp module with 0-5% variation in output At first I was thinking – perhaps this is just marketing hype – but on reflection I am not so sure it isn’t more significant…

The Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) has published the latest solar photovoltaic installation figures for 2012, which show that from January 8–22, 2,711 solar PV installs were registered for the feed-in tariff scheme.

One thing is certain about the Feed in Tariff at the moment – there is currently a lot of uncertainty!

Cornwall Council has successfully proceeded with plans to install solar PV on more than 50 sites across Cornwall, including schools, colleges, libraries and leisure centres.

Liverpool Council has pulled the plug on plans to install 4,000 solar PV systems on council-owned properties across the city.

The Property and Energy Professionals Association (PEPA), a trade body representing business engaged in the provision of Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) and Display Energy Certificates (DECs), has urged Government to reconsider its plans to fully introduce the Green Deal in October this year.