uk

Solar Power Portal runs through this week’s people news from within UK solar including changes at the top of Anesco and Absolute Solar and Wind, as well as the likely new ministerial appointments to the energy brief at the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.

The newly formed Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) could see energy policy relegated to a ‘steady as she goes’ approach while other policy areas take precedence, according to a government MP in the energy and climate change (ECC) select committee.

Building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) firm Romag has been bought by glazing company Clayton Glass from social housing provider Gentoo, which is seeking to focus more heavily on its core housing activity.

Moixa Technology is hoping to raise up to £20 million by the end of the year to fund its expansion into Europe, and has recently gained investment from three big beasts from the UK energy sector.

Solarwatt’s Pol Spronck explains to Solar Power Portal why the company has come to the UK and what installers can expect from the solar storage manufacturer as it prepares to roll out into the residential market.

Scottish energy minister Paul Wheelhouse is said to be seeking urgent talks with the UK government following its decision to scrap the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) in favour of a new business-led department.

The government is facing calls for clarity after a coalition of 30 trade bodies, NGOs, pressure groups and think tanks signed an open letter to the new secretary of state for business, energy and industrial strategy, urging him to confirm the UK’s 2020 climate change commitments.

The UK’s energy policy will now be a decided by a new department headed up by former communities minister Greg Clark, who has been appoint secretary of state for business, energy and industrial strategy.

German energy storage firm sonnen has set its sights on C&I customers with the launch of a new battery storage product geared entirely at commercial and industrial installations.

Fresh rumours of the Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) being folded into the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) have emerged, with energy minister Andrea Leadsom doing nothing to dispel them during this morning’s House of Commons session.