Solar Markets & Finance

The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) has published its business plan for the course of the current parliament, outlining its priorities over the coming five years and establishing a timeline for the roll out of its key policy proposals.

Almost 4,000 employees at Cornish roof contractor ROK will be concerned about their future this morning as the company falls into administration. Months after revealing ‘serious failings’ in the financial control of its plumbing arm the company has struggled to stay afloat.

Scottish Southern Energy (SSE) has launched a new solar photovoltaic offering for its customers, enabling them to benefit from free renewable electricity. Following in the footsteps of the likes of A Shade Greener and ISIS Solar, SSE will install solar for free, and will reap the reward of the feed-in tariff.

German solar pioneer Wagner & Co has joined forces with one of the leading suppliers of photovoltaic equipment in southern England, AC Solartechnic. The new joint venture, named Wagner Solar UK, will do business beginning in November from AC Solartechnic´s present site in Sidlesham, near Chichester, West Sussex.

Since the news that the incentives for solar power will be left alone for the time being, the industry’s response has been overwhelmingly positive.  Dave Sowden, Chief Executive of the Micropower Council said, “This news marks the start of a true Citizens’ Energy Revolution. The Government has sent a clear signal to homes, businesses and investors that the UK Microgeneration sector is now well and truly open for business."

As the Solar Power Portal team came into the office this morning there were smiles on faces in the wake of George Osborne’s day of axe wielding drama. This, I suspect, is not the scene in many other buildings across London. It seems almost miraculous that after what is being labelled the ‘biggest round of cutbacks in generations’ the solar feed-in tariff escaped unscathed – for now at least.

Chancellor George Osborne stood up in the House of Commons at 12.30pm today to detail the coalition government's Comprehensive Spending review.Finally, after a long and tedious wait, we finally know what lies in the future for solar feed-in tariffs in the UK.

Taking on the task of spreading the word of the UK’s potential in the solar market, Solar Power UK organised the hugely successful conference on October 18th and 19th 2010. The conference, the theme of which was “Enabling the UK Solar Market for 2011”, drew over 450 delegates from all facets of the solar PV industry, including installers, suppliers and manufacturers, investment companies and members of the media.

Centrosolar has gained certification for its entire line of crystalline modules, including S-Class Deluxe, Excellent, Ultra and Professional modules under the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS).

According to recent media reports, a UK-based asset management group is planning to raise £40 million from wealthy individuals in order to pay for a tax-sheltered venture capital trust that will invest in small-scale British solar power projects.