Solar Markets & Finance

Reacting to the recently-launched feed-in tariff review, community-owned energy companies across the UK have come together to express their thoughts on the announcement as well as to discuss how to move forward past Energy Minister Chris Huhne’s decision to evaluate the FiT for systems above 50kW.

Confirming fears that have been mounting in recent weeks, Energy Secretary Chris Huhne has launched a comprehensive review of the UK feed-in tariff (FiT) scheme…

OPDE, the Spain-based international company dedicated to the development, construction, operation and maintenance of solar farms, is now active in the UK. OPDE expects to develop and construct over 200MW in globally by 2012 and is currently acquiring licenses in order to do so.

German solar equipment manufacturer Conergy has entered the UK market, opening a new representative office located in Milton Keynes. The company, which manufactures solar modules, inverters and mounting systems, brings 12 years of experience in the global PV market to the ever-growing customer base in Britain.

Germany-based photovoltaics system provider MAGE solar has entered the UK solar market with the entrance of its own sales representatives in Britain. Effective February 1, MAGE Solar, part of the globally operating MAGE Group, will be offering a portfolio designed specifically for the British market with high-quality MAGE Powertec modules, intelligent MAGE Safetec installation systems and high-performance brand-name inverters on-site.

Following its 100% capacity increase, reported in July last year, Sharp UK has announced the creation of 300 new jobs at its solar manufacturing plant in Wrexham, Wales. This news takes the company’s total number of UK-based employees from 800 to 1,100.

Eversheds has appointed Andrew Fleetwood, a former Freshfields solicitor, as a Senior Associate in its Real Estate Practice. Fleetwood will focus on renewable energy and will work closely with the company’s Clean Energy Team.

Birmingham has been announced as the host city for the annual Solar Power UK Conference and Exhibition in October 2011, which is organised by Solar Media Ltd. Over 3,000 solar industry participants, 30% of which will be overseas visitors, are due to descend on the city during the conference following sell-out events in Munich and London in 2010.

Greenbang Research has released the report, ‘the UK’s feed-in tariff: impact, response and market trends for the decade ahead,’ which offers detailed analysis on current figures and expected future trends of the UK renewable energy market, while also looking into how each of the supported technologies have reacted to the policy.

Devon-based construction company, Kier, has completed the acquisition of renewable energy specialist Totnes-based Beco Limited.