Solar Markets & Finance

Increasing its activities in the UK SolarEdge Technologies, the global provider of end-to-end solar power optimization systems, has formed a new distribution partnership with Cleaner Air Solutions. The company has already ordered 3MW of SolarEdge power optimizers and solar inverters in the first quarter of this year.

Boosting the amount of solar power in Wales, the United Welsh Housing Association and Torfaen County Borough Council have formed a purchasing consortium to let a one-year framework contract for the design, supply and installation of solar photovoltaic systems in the country.

Warwick University spinout Molecular Solar is to raise £5 million to create its own bespoke technology facility in order to bring its lightweight, flexible solar cells to the mainstream marketplace.

Ikaros Solar UK, which was set up earlier this year by entrepreneur Richard Tyzack, has achieved Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) accreditation.  The South Wales-based subsidiary in Technium Springboard in Cwmbran, Wales has been backed by the Welsh Assembly Government through a £500,000 grant from the Single Investment Fund (SIF) over the next three years.

The new Scottish Government has exceeded all expectations and increased its renewable energy target to 100% by 2020. First Minister Alex Salmond pledged to move “still faster and further” to secure Scotland’s place as the green energy powerhouse of Europe.

Following on from Monday’s Green Investment Bank (GIB) announcement, Business Secretary Vince Cable has now revealed some of the finer details. In his progress report, Cable reveals more about how the bank will be governed, and what the business model will look like.

The UK’s Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) has confirmed that both the Carbon Trust and the Energy Saving Trust will no longer receive core Government funding. This news comes after the coalition revealed its deficit reduction program, but again works against the promise to become the ‘greenest Government ever’.

UK-based timber and builders merchant Covers has signed an agreement with Azur Solar Systems, which will install solar photovoltaics on as many of its 12 sites as are suitable. With branches located in Chichester, Bognor, Portsmouth and Brighton the company hopes to meet a significant portion of its own energy needs.

Leading international solar power engineering, contracting and distribution company Colexon Energy is opening a UK-based solar warehouse and showroom in Rye, East Sussex. Introducing its Colexon Flex kit series, featuring premium components including First Solar panels, SMA inverters and Würth mounting systems, the company firmly enters the UK solar market.

Energy and Climate Change Secretary Chris Huhne has confirmed that the DECC will go ahead with its fourth carbon budget, increasing the emissions target to 80% by 2050. The decision has been made in the wake of the Committee on Climate Change report revealed last week.