When Stroud District Council discovered that more than half of the electricity generated by its social housings’ solar installations was fed back into the grid, it began to explore ways in which it could help residents benefit from the unused electricity.
A growing number of sporting stadia in the US are now sourcing their power from solar installations. Peter Bennett looks at some of the most high profile examples
The industrial gearbox and motor solutions manufacturer STM Power Transmissions has committed to cutting its carbon footprint after its headquarters in Winsford was fitted with a 28.5kWp solar PV array.
The UK has been one of the least attractive PV markets for thin-film solar panels. The market share of thin film in the UK solar industry barely nudges over 1% compared to a global figure that is an order of magnitude higher.
Competing with Cornwall on large-scale solar might be a challenge. Competing with Scotland’s first minister, Alex Salmond on wind energy may also be difficult. But finally, Scotland has entered the large-scale solar PV age.
Herefordshire-based renewable installer, Caplor Energy, has installed an 8.8kWp solar array on the roof of the Great Orme visitors’ centre in Llandudno, Wales.
Harrogate-based installer, Think Renewable Energy, has completed the installation of a 190kWp ground-mounted solar system at Fridlington Farms in Sutton-on-the-Forest.
The Log House Holidays site in the Cotswold Water Park in Gloucestershire has managed to remain almost completely independent of the grid in 2012 thanks to the impressive performance of the site’s solar array mounted on a dual-axis tracking system.
In 2012 the National Trust embarked on its largest solar power project to date and teamed up with Prescient Power, a renewable energy projects installer based in the East Midlands, in order to help the charity to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels.
