Commercial & Residential Solar

So here we are, one year after the implementation of the UK feed-in tariff, and boy what a year it has been. After implementing a generous feed-in tariff on April 1, 2010, Government has made several hasty decisions that have changed the market considerably during the last 12 months. Industry has now reached a point where it will either fight onwards, or pull away. For now, let’s see how the feed-in tariff held up in its first year in the UK.

In what is probably the most shocking turn of events since the launch of the FiT review, Joju Solar has announced that it has been awarded the contract to carry out a major solar installation on the House of Commons. This news comes exactly one year to the day after the introduction of the feed-in tariff.

County Durham-based solar panel manufacturer Cleaner Air Solutions has become the first company in the region to purchase a fleet of Nissan Leaf electric cars. Employees will now drive to work safe in the knowledge that they are not adding to the country’s carbon boot print.

AEE Renewables has put the breaks on plans for two solar power plants in the south of England. The company, which was to build a solar power plant at Fullards Farm, Trull and an 8.2 hectare project at Whistley Farm near Gillingham, has reassessed its proposals after the Government announced a u-turn on large-scale solar…

Infinite Energy has launched the UK’s first modular solar car park canopy. ElectroPort can be installed on any car park, generating solar energy that can be used both onsite as well as forming a charging point for electric cars. The system is designed and built in the UK.

Siliken, the Spanish PV module manufacturer, has obtained Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) accreditation for its solar product range. The certificate, which has been granted by the British Board of Agreément (BBA), means that Siliken’s modules are now eligible under the UK’s feed-in tariff scheme.

Sussex-based solar service company Sunhive has partnered with Cleaner Air Solutions and the Renewable Energy Academy to launch an online solar training platform. At present, the website provides free access to all of the available courses. In future, some of the courses will involve a charge, which the companies say they are able to keep low as the courses are exclusively online.

Engensa has now completed the first residential installation in the UK to utilise Sanyo’s high-efficiency HIT solar modules. The owners of the system, the Rodwell’s of South London, were keen to play their part in reducing carbon emissions while also getting the most for their money.

St. Modwen, the UK-based regeneration specialist, has been granted permission to build a 5MW array of solar panels at an old BP Chemicals works site in Port Talbot. The project, which is expected to cost £15 million, will generate enough clean electricity to power around 1,500 homes a year.

Six UK universities are currently combining forces to develop a portable battery pack for British soldiers that will be powered by solar energy. By replacing the currently-used device the forces’ power packs can be made up to 50% lighter.