Solar Markets & Finance

A selection ‘green’ UK companies have been shortlisted for this year’s Business Commitment to the Environment (BCE) Environmental Leadership Awards. Having been through the rigorous judging process and visited by an expert assessor, the 13 finalists demonstrate that UK companies can demonstrate environmental initiative, according to BCE Awards president Sir Anthony Cleaver.

This morning the Committee on Climate Change (CCC) published its much-anticipated report on renewables. Outlining the potential green energy has in the UK, the research identifies several possibilities, including solar photovoltaics and solar thermal, and discusses what role each one can play in increasing the energy mix on the…

Cambridge-based Enecsys has secured £25 million (US$41 million) in equity financing to help further develop its micro inverter systems technology.

Despite the furore surrounding feed-in tariff review, employment in the UK solar industry has increased by 32% in the first four months of 2011, according to figures from Capital Green UK. While the majority of the 951 new positions came in the sales sector, there was also a significant rise in the number of technical jobs.

The fate of a solar power project in Dorset will be decided today as planning officers from North Dorset District Council meet with the project developers to make a verdict on whether the plant should go ahead or not.

As part of its continuing expansion in the UK, EvoEnergy has appointed Nick Offer as Managing Director of its commercial business. Offer joins the team from Arup, where he led the team that developed the design for the 2012 Olympic Village. He was also the director in charge of the creation of the Shard, located at London Bridge.

UK-based building contractor, Prater, has launched a solar division specializing in energizing the building envelope in order to maximize sustainability credentials. By offering an integrated version of solar photovoltaics, the company provides UK customers with a more aesthetic approach to renewable energy generation, as well as another way of taking advantage of the country’s feed-in tariff.

While almost everyone in the UK solar industry is disappointed with Government’s decision to review feed-in tariff rates, the less well-off may have more reason than most to feel thwarted. Greg Barker argues that the proposed cuts will help the general public to benefit from solar power, yet the reluctance shown by UK banks…

Renewable energy company OPUS Green has started the ‘Green Revolution’ to help get out-of-work tradesmen back into full-time employment as part of the Government’s upcoming Green Deal. Working in collaboration with OPUS Building Services, the company has recruited tradesmen who have found themselves out of work due to the recession.

For many installing solar photovoltaics is a great idea in theory, but when it comes to deciding which installer and products to use the prospect can be a little daunting. Easing the UK public into the process, CompareMySolar.co.uk offers prospective energy generators the opportunity to assess the potential of their roof without having to go through the lengthy process of getting custom quotes.