Solar Markets & Finance

Energise Barnet, a community initiative set up by local residents, plans to set up a network of ‘green’ buying groups in order to help homeowners and local businesses generate their own electricity and make their homes more energy efficient.

Wagner Solar UK today opened its doors to UK installers as it officially launched the Wagner Academy training programme. Run by expert instructors, the school will provide product training directly to PV and solar thermal installers in a bid to promote a better understanding of the latest products and installation techniques.

In the wake of the fast-track feed-in tariff review, a group of UK-based solar firms have joined together to fight the Department of Energy and Climate Change’s (DECC) decision to dramatically reduce the feed-in tariff amounts for solar systems over 50kW. The group yesterday filed a claim in the High Court in a bid to seek justice…

UK solar integration company Solar Fusion has today announced a £52 million multi-year framework agreement with Surface Power, the solar thermal systems manufacturer. The contract, which has been signed under the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI), is set to kick-start the next stage of solar development in the UK.

Since the launch of the fast-track feed-in tariff review I have had several meetings with fairly disgruntled industry members. Most of these gatherings however, have been constructive, and none more so than this morning’s get-together with local authority members at Eversheds in London.

With all of the latest policy adjustments, feed-in tariffs reviews and threatened cuts causing such a huge amount of uncertainty in the UK, it is no wonder that IMS Research is now questioning the viability of the country’s solar industry. By proposing to reduce the tariff levels for PV systems over 50kW, the research company is concerned about the success of the UK’s solar future.

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.

According to new research conducted by The Pew Charitable Trusts, clean energy investment dropped by a shocking 70% in the UK last year, placing us in unlucky position number 13. This means the UK has dropped eight places under the coalition Government, as Labour brought us up to fifth…

Global photovoltaics company Gehrlicher Solar has opened a UK-based subsidiary in Birmingham. Gehrlicher Solar UK was officially registered on March 30, 2011.

Durham-based solar panel and specialist glass manufacturer Romag has been acquired by Gentoo. The purchase marks the people and property business’ entrance into the solar PV market.