Solar
Solar Panel Grants in the UK
We take a look at the main, nationwide schemes that will provide funding for people to buy and install solar panels on their homes. Continue reading
DETINI Propose Massive Cuts in Support for Northern Ireland Solar
The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment Northern Ireland have released proposed changes to the Northern Ireland Renewables Obligation (NIRO) as part of the small scale banding review consultation. The consultation is part of an ongoing process that sees banding … Continue reading
Solar FIT – What do Higher, Middle and Lower Rates Mean?
If you’ve ever come across the solar Feed in Tariff rates table, you’ll have seen several rates depending on the size of the installation and further divided into higher, middle and lower rate tariffs. So, what do ‘higher’, ‘middle’, and ‘lower’ rates mean and when do they apply? Continue reading
Solar Feed in Tariff Changes, July 2014
New solar PV Feed in Tariff rates come into effect from July 1st 2014. Rates remain unchanged for lower capacity installations that apply to the bulk of domestic installs under the Feed in Tariff. The lower rate tariff, which applies … Continue reading
Solar PV Costs Fall Sharply as Renewables Account For 43.6% of New Capacity in 2013
2013 was a big year for renewable energy worldwide with 43.6% of new energy generating capacity being from renewables. This is despite a drop in investment for the second year running. Global Trends in Renewable Energy Investment 2014 is the … Continue reading
10 Facts to Show the Awesome Energy Potential of the Sun
Our latest cartoon and 10 awe inspiring facts about the energy potential of the Sun. It’s hard to see which part of this it is that we can’t understand. Continue reading
Solar Feed in Tariff Changes, April 2014
Ofgem has announced changes to the solar pv Feed in Tariff rates for the second quarter of 2014. The new rates will take effect from April 1st 2014 and have been adjusted by the annual RPI rate of 2.7 percent. Continue reading
Solar Feed in Tariff Changes, January 2014
The government has announced new Feed in Tariff rates to apply for solar PV installations from January 1st 2014. This round sees little change for smaller scale installations typical of the domestic market. The bands for installations above 50kW see reductions of 3.5%. Continue reading
FIT Installation Update, July – September 2013
September 2013 saw installations under the UK Feed in Tariff scheme reach 421,963 and a total installed capacity of 2,088.62 MW. The third quarter of 2013 had 25,959 installations accounting for 171.16 MW of added renewable energy generation capacity. Continue reading
Introduction to the Green Deal
The UK’s Green Deal programme is the first of its kind in the world. The scheme offers households a way to improve the efficiency of their property, reduce their carbon footprint and future proof their home, all without any capital … Continue reading
UK Government Reveals Solar PV Roadmap
The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) have released the detail of their UK Solar PV Strategy document. Describing it as a Roadmap to a Brighter Future, Greg Baker, the minister for the department, revealed the document at the … Continue reading
She Should Have Gone For Solar Panels
Home energy projects come in all shapes and sizes but this lady’s neighbours would prefer if she’d contacted a solar panel installer instead. Continue reading
An Introduction to Solar Thermal – Solar Heating
Solar thermal is a popular choice for many householders. Unlike solar photovoltaics, solar thermal does not produce electricity. The panels are designed to warm water which can be used to supply hot water to the home or even to heat water for swimming pools or small central heating systems. Continue reading
How Do Solar Panels Work?
So we all know we can pop some photovoltaic (PV) panels up on our roof and they will somehow convert the energy from the sun into useable electricity for our homes, but how do solar panels actually work? Continue reading
FIT Installation Update, April – June 2013
June 2013 saw installations under the Feed in Tariff scheme reach 398,188 and a total installed capacity of 1918.15 MW. This report analyses Feed in Tariff data on confirmed installations for April 2013 to June 2013. Continue reading
Tips for Choosing a Solar Panel Installer
When you’ve decided to invest in solar panels, you’ll want to make sure you’ve got the best people on the job. Here are some tips to help you choose the best solar installer for your project. Continue reading
UK Feed in Tariff [infographic]
This infographic gives a great visual summary of the story so far, after 3 years of the UK Feed in Tariff scheme. Continue reading
UK Solar Feed in Tariff Rate Changes July 2013
Solar Feed in Tariff rates are to change from July 1st. The new solar Feed in Tariff rates will take effect from July 1st and run until the 30th of September. Rates for larger scale installations (over 50 kW) remain unchanged having reduced in the last round. FIT rates for solar installations under 50 kW will see reductions of around 3.5%. Continue reading
FIT Data Analysis April 2010 to March 2013
The Feed in Tariff scheme was introduced on April 1 2010 as a support for small scale renewable electricity generation. The scheme is open to both domestic and business users and covers technologies such as Solar PV, Wind, Hydro, CHP … Continue reading
Is my home suitable for solar?
Solar energy is fast becoming a popular choice for households looking to invest some cash and cushion themselves from the regular price hikes we all see in our energy bills. The economic viability of solar technology is in a good place but before you rush out and sign up with the first installer who comes along, it is worth doing a bit of a personal check to see if your home is suitable for solar. Continue reading
