Solar panels are to be installed in 800,000 low-income homes across England and Wales over the next five years, as part of a new government scheme. The Dutch firm, Maas Capital is investing £160m in the project. The panels, which will be free to tenants, are expected to cut hundreds of pounds from energy bills, according to the firm Solarplicity. The first people to benefit from the scheme include residents of a sheltered retirement home in Ealing, west London. Speaking at the site, International Trade minister Greg Hands said: “This initial £160m capital expenditure programme will deliver massive benefits to some of the UK’s poorest households. “As well as creating 1,000 jobs and delivering cheaper energy bills for up to 800,000 homes, it shows yet another vote of confidence in the UK as a place to invest and do business.” The firm providing the panels, Solarplicity, will work with more than 40 social landlords, including local authorities across England and Wales. Tenants in the North West will be the biggest beneficiaries with more than 290,000 homes receiving solar panels in towns and cities such as Oldham and Bradford. The North East and Midlands will also see a significant number of homes benefit.
BBC 2nd Sept 2017 read more »
Glasgow City Council has installed 350kW of solar PV across seven schools as part of its Carbon Management Plan. The seven 50kW rooftop systems were designed and installed by Glasgow-based Campbell & Kennedy. In addition to contributing to the City’s carbon reduction plan of 30% by 2021, the schools have also been able to gain further educational value out of the systems. In a statement on the installations Glasgow City Council said: “This project will enhance the council’s commitment to the sustainability and resilience of these schools whilst providing a practical teaching resource for pupils.”
Solar Power Portal 31st Aug 2017 read more »
New cost benefit analysis has claimed residential solar offers a win-win for Ireland’s households and its government in advance of the final publication of a consultation on the renewable energy support scheme. The study, commissioned by Friends of the Earth (FoE) and carried out by climate researcher Joseph Curtin, has claimed that support for solar power on 50,000 homes can be done “at a reasonable cost and in a fair way”. It argues that a generation tariff of €0.09-0.10 should be introduced as “the real subsidy”, with an export tariff of €0.066 set in line with the average spot price paid for electricity by suppliers. Curtin adds that cost effectiveness can be managed by capping the overall quantity of support available at 150MW by 2030, which can be offered to homeowners on a first-come-first-served basis.
Solar Power Portal 31st Aug 2017 read more »
