Large-Scale Solar

Molecular Solar, the spin-out of Warwick University, is working with Imperial College London and several other firms to develop prototype high-efficiency multi-junction organic solar cells. In order to help with the commercialization of this next generation technology the consortium as received a total of £1.4 million in funding from the Technology Strategy Board and Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council.

An interesting development in the feed-in tariff fiasco has been uncovered by Business Green, which has exposed the Government’s silent scrapping of its own solar PV projects. According to the article project stakeholders have cancelled plans thanks to the recent policy u-turn.

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.