Solar 31
Developments continue apace at BRE and the National Solar Centre with a busy summer season to look forward to, as well as starting to see the first results from one of the UK’s most comprehensive heat pump field trials conducted by DECC, reports Steve Pester
The consolidation of the PV industry means that professional training continues to be highly sought after by clients and renewable energy companies alike, with both established professionals and new entrants looking to take advantage of the potential that PV offers, reports the European Energy Centre
SolarAid are reminding people that there is only three days remaining of its UK government aid match scheme where all donations within the UK will be matched pound for pound.
Newform Energy has objected to draft legislation which excludes solar thermal panels that also generate electricity from the domestic RHI.
Google has announced its continued support of international development charity SolarAid and its work distributing solar lights in rural Africa, by funding a two year evaluation on the impact of solar lights on poverty alleviation.
Navitron has strengthened its team with the appointment of a new sales manager.
Waxman Energy has introduced the ‘PowerRouter’ to its product range through its new partnership with Nedap.
Kim Mann, Krannich Solar, discusses whether large industry exhibitions, such as next month’s Ecobuild, are still worth making time and effort for in a maturing market
Bob Long, MD Eco Innovate Ltd
Heat pump expert Bob Long asks why a buffer cylinder/thermal store is essential in any system
Zenex Solar’s managing director Liz macFarlane
Liz MacFarlane, Zenex Solar, urges installers to move early and get involved in the fledgling but lucrative market for large scale solar
With demand set to rise, the outlook for the UK PV market throughout 2014 looks bright, says Steve Pester, BRE
• Pupils at Millfield Primary School learning about solar energy with the Visual Display Unit from solar panels fitted thanks to Gen Community ‘Staffordshire Sunny Schools’ offer
25 Staffordshire schools are set to benefit from a new PV project which aims to cut bills by providing free panels and teach kids about saving energy.
Jacob Eco Energy’s md Chris Franks and his team
Salford Quays-based Jacob Eco Energy has become the first solar installer in the Manchester area to get coveted Which? Trusted Traders approval.
Natural Sparx powered by Rexel Energy Solutions has been confirmed as headline sponsors for this year’s Solar Energy UK (SEUK) Roadshow (previously branded as Solar Power UK Roadshow) taking place in six locations across the UK in February.
A new government strategy has been launched to give communities greater control of energy bills.
Kingspan has launched a fully-funded solar energy solution to enable more businesses to benefit from lower electricity costs.
Lightsource has announced plans to create 100 new jobs in 2014 due to continued growth in the commercial PV sector.
Krannich Solar has announced the return of its ‘Meet the Manufacturer’ events which go back on the road at the end of January.
Enphase has announced the expansion of the Enphase System with new hardware and software products which it says will lower solar system installation and operations costs for solar professionals.
Dimplex has launched a new flat plate solar collector (SOL202), designed to offer high efficiency and flexible ease-of-installation to help installers take advantage of the solar thermal opportunities set to be created by the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI).
South Korean brand Hyundai has added its PV modules to Waxman Energy’s product portfolio.
Steve Knight, Navitron’s commercial director
Navitron is calling for the government to end uncertainty in the solar thermal industry and make a New Year resolution to commit to a Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) launch date.
Far right – David Saunders (chair Bristol Power Co-op) with Robert Rabinowitz (chief executive Pure Leapfrog)
Social investment provider Pure Leapfrog has made its biggest single loan to a Bristol community energy project.
Trina Solar has provided 1.28MW of PV modules to Solar Advanced Systems for the completion of a series of projects at ten Greggs sites across the UK.