Commercial & Residential Solar

Concentrated photovoltaics (CPV) systems provider Circadian Solar has opened its second UK-based premises at the Viscount Centre on the University of Warwick Science Park. The new building will house a prototype manufacturing line for the pilot production of Circadian’s CPV systems.

Solon and the Sustainable Building Envelope Centre (SBEC) have jointly developed a new rooftop solar solution consisting of the Solon SOLbond system combined with Tata Steel’s Colorcoat Prisma pre-finished steel range. By bringing these two products together, the companies address the growing demand for an intelligent building system combining photovoltaics and metal roofing.

Redland has been awarded a place on a new framework designed to deliver the benefits of solar power to the UK social housing sector. Under the initiative Redland PV will be available to more than 3.6 million properties, marking a significant step forward in the drive to improve the energy efficiency of the UK’s social housing stock.

Work is underway at what is expected to be one of the only large-scale solar parks in the UK. Designed, developed and maintained by Bosch Solar Energy, the 5MW project under construction in Trefullock, near Newquay, is expected to be connected to the grid this July.

Enecsys introduces the SMI-D480W-60 480 Watt micro-inverter, which mounts on a railing system and accepts DC input from two individual solar modules. Enabling maximum power point tracking for both modules the product reduces inverter cost compared with using one micro-inverter per module. The new micro-inverter is also distinctive as it comes with a 25-year lifecycle and a 20-year limited warranty. This is unusual for inverters, which are usually provided with a 10-year guarantee.

Becoming the first car manufacturer in the country to install a large-scale solar system, Toyota Motor Manufacturing UK has today announced a £10 million project, which it is executing in partnership with British Gas. Since receiving approval from the local planning authority, the company is now ploughing ahead with the 4.6MW…

The Solar Building, the trade brand for The Solar Building Company, has secured exclusive distribution agreements with Samil Power and CETC48. The company will now provide Samil Power’s range of grid tied inverters and accessories alongside CETC48’s monocrystalline and polycrystalline PV modules for customers in the UK.

Specialist glass manufacturer Romag, which has recently been acquired by the Gentoo Group, has appointed 20 new staff members in order to meet demand for its increasing product portfolio, which includes solar photovoltaics.

The Wagner Academy solar training school is holding a one-day training event featuring photovoltaic module and inverter product training from Sanyo and SMA. Taking place on Tuesday July 19 at The Building Centre in Central London, the session will also feature a presentation from CREST (Centre for Renewable Energy Systems Technology), where the Head of Applied Photovoltaics Research Group Professor Ralph Gottschalg will speak on the importance of type testing for ensuring quality in performance.

First Solar has become the latest solar module manufacturer to receive the UK Government's Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) accreditation. The certification, which is a prerequisite in order to sell PV systems in the UK under the feed-in tariff (FiT), has been awarded to the company’s thin-film Series 3 modules.