One Thousand Residences in South Wales Fitted with PV Panels

The well known solar panel installer/developer Nationwide Solar, which have installed over ten thousand domestic and commercial systems until know, being one of the most experienced installation company in the United Kingdom,just won a bid to instal solar photo voltaic panels in over one thousand homes across Rhondda Cynon Taf Council. The main purpose of the project was to reduce the region's fuel poverty situation, thanks to high tech and a few good people.

An agreement was signed with Nationwide Solar by RCT Homes, the manager of local authority homes, representing the Welsh council, the deal was to install free solar panels on over one thousand of its rented residences.

Apparently, both the local authorities and social housing providers view solar installations as a win-win situation, as Mr. Russ Cowan, the Managing Director at Nationwide Solar told us:

“It means that there is no financial outlay for them, but their tenants benefit from savings on their energy bills, reducing the number in fuel poverty.” 

Not everybody in the solar industry shares his views, there are many critics of the free solar model, and Mr. Malcolm Wilson, RCT Homes Deputy Chief Executive stated on behalf of the free installations:


“When the feed-in tariff was reduced last year, solar PV became less attractive to some people.  But for us, it was never about the money, as we are more interested in attacking fuel poverty.  NWS has the expertise in fitting solar PV systems for tenants and we are delighted to be partnering with them on this project.”

 Mr. Wilson also told us that:

“The most important thing is that tenants will make savings of around £120 per year on their energy bills.  The fact that we have made a deal that works, despite all the constraints, shows that large-scale solar PV for social housing is definitely back on the agenda.”


Along with reducing their carbon footprint substantially, the tenants who will benefit by the free solar power will also have their energy bill cut dramatically, helping them out of fuel poverty, as the companies who developed the project hope.

Mr. Cowan remains very optimistic regarding the future of social housing and solar power, stating that:

“The fact that we are investing in providing free solar PV for thousands of tenants’ homes across the country just goes to show that solar PV is still a very viable and worthwhile investment.  We have the expertise in partnering with local authorities, ALMOs and housing associations to ensure we deliver the right solution for tenants. Our installation teams have extensive experience in working in tenants’ homes to ensure a smooth and straightforward installation.”

For more information and news about solar energies in the UK, you may visit here anytime:  

http://www.solar-energy.co.uk/

Knapp solar park Soon to be Launched

Biodiversity is the word, as the Higher Knapp farm in the Somerset Village of Knapp, Somerset, is one of the United Kingdom's latest solar installations, they will produce in no time enough solar, this means carbon free energy, to provide 442 local homes. The plans for the 1.5 MW solar park have been approved, soon enough another green spot will appear on the map.

Lightsource Renewable Energy, a well known solar developer was chosen for the project, they closed an agreement with the land owners in order to run the solar array for the next 25 years. A major part in closing the deal was the Taunton Deane Borough Council, the local authorities, they were the ones who had to approve the project and gave the final green light, after extensive consultations on the matter. In the end, everything worked just fine, they addressed the local concerns but in the end, the deal was signed and permissions granted.

There were some disagreements from the local farmers, regarding the visibility of the proposed solar installation, due to the geographical conditions, the future solar site slopes upwards at the eastern border and the local community was concerned that the solar park will be strikingly visible. In order to address the well founded issues, Lightsource had to take a bold step, they went back to the drawing board and redesigned the project, choosing a site in a lower area of the county. And further, they planned a screen of hazel coppice trees, in order to mask the view of the future solar installation.

As Mr. Connor McGuinan, the Business Development Director at Lightsource Renewable Energy explained us:


“When we develop a new solar farm, we are entering into an agreement with the landowner and council for a period of 25 years. Therefore we are required to demonstrate that the land we build on is protected and used correctly to its fullest potential in order to obtain planning permission”.
“We are strong advocates of optimising the opportunity that a solar farm presents to enhance site biodiversity. Higher Knapp Farm will not only benefit from a new hazel coppice, but a species rich wildflower mix will be planted beneath and between the solar panel rows, creating a more diverse habitat.”

He also made pertinent comments regarding the need for rigorous design and planning of such installations:

 “Our tenancy duration runs for a long period of time and it is imperative that we address any concerns like flooding risks upfront to ensure there will be no impact on the surrounding area. It is in our best interests to work with the council and address local concerns collectively.”

The reduction in the RO rate from 2ROCs to 1.6 ROCs in April of 2012 created a golden opportunity for the solar industry, hence the recent influx of large solar projects which took place in the recent months and also raised some concerns about the industry's choice of suitable park locations.

For more information and news about solar energies in the UK, you may visit here anytime:  

http://www.solar-energy.co.uk/

Countdown to Green Deal launch by the UK Government

Everyone is expecting for the £125 million cash back plan of action  by the United Kingdom's Government, which is expected to restart the investors and the public's interest in the Green Deal energy efficiency programme.

Even if the details of the scheme are not to be announced until next week,  the Energy and Climate Change Minister,  Mr. Greg Barker stated that he hopes for this measure to be the first step towards instituting the "sea change", as he sees the Green Deal to engender in the United Kingdom's energy efficiency standards.

 The Green Deal will officially begin in 28 January, when the investors, both homeowners and companies will begin signing the deals under the new scheme.

 There will be over 45 property improvements for the customers to choose from, all of them designed with energy efficiency in mind. Under the Green Deal project, solar energy and thermal are among the technologies which are qualified  to be implemented and subsidized by the Government.

To make sure that the public is aware by the benefits and opportunities of the new Green Deal project, the United Kingdom's Government hired a specialized PR company, Freud Communications, in order to make waves in the media about the project and raise the awareness of the general public.

 This move is due to a report from last year, the report revealed that the public has limited knowledge about green projects and there are very few potential customers showing an interest in using the Green Deal opportunities for making their properties more energy efficient.

 There were announcements made by the Department for Communities and Local Government, about relaxing the legislation for those who want to install solid wall insulation, making their task easier.

 Before that, there were issues and doubts about such home improvements, as they would require or not planning permission from local authorities, as the wall insulation alters the outside of buildings.

 We will see in the near future how the Green Deal will work in real life starting from next month, including how businesses can become accredited Green Deal installers  and also how can you make/save money with this new project and also protect the environment.

 Also, there are expected from the Department of Energy and Climate Change the latest feed-in-tariff rates, as Mr. Barker will start the roadshows at Sandown Park Racecourse on 7 February, in Surrey, so stay tuned.


For more information and news about solar energies in the UK, you may visit here anytime: 

http://www.solar-energy.co.uk/