RSS Feed

Archive for November, 2009

Solar PV grant closes to public sector projects

Monday, November 30th, 2009

The Low Carbon Buildings Programme Phase 2E has today announced that it is no longer accepting applications for Solar Photovoltaics projects for local authorities, schools, charities and other not-for-profit organisations having allocated the entire solar PV ‘pot’ to existing applications.

The news was posted on the scheme website on 30th November 2009, and it means that any not-for-profit organisation who is planning on applying for the LCBP grant for Solar PV will no longer be able to achieve 50% funding from this scheme. All other technologies, including heat pumps, remain unaffected by this announcement and applications are being processed as usual.

Scheme now closed to Solar PV applications for public sector

Scheme now closed to Solar PV applications for public sector

Additionally, this recent announcement does not affect private grants for homeowners and the grant if upto £2500 to install solar PV on private properties will remain available until April 2010.

Today’s announcement isn’t the first time the scheme has closed after running out of funding. Earlier this year the scheme closed and the Department of Energy and Climate Change released further funding to ensure the industry would not grind to a halt. However, in April 2010 the government-led Clean Energy Cashback Scheme is to come into force which will provide a long term incentive to install renewable technologies such as solar PV and wind turbines. The new scheme is designed to replace the capital grants from Low Carbon Buildings Programme. Therefore we are not expecting the DECC or LCBP to announce any further funding for Solar PV projects.

Not-for-profit organisations are invited to discuss alternative methods of funding Solar PV installations with us to ensure there are no disruptions to project plans. We have access to alternative schemes and financing methods which will assist with the capital costs associated with the installation.

We will post any further news and announcements as they develop. For more information, visit the Low Carbon Buildings Programme website: http://www.lowcarbonbuildingsphase2.org.uk/

Tags: , ,
Posted in Funding, Industry, Solar Photovoltaics | No Comments »

We’ve moved!

Monday, November 9th, 2009

Renewable energy installation company Access Renewables has moved into larger premises in Middlesbrough from its original base in Bishop Auckland in a bid to move closer to a number of key customers across Teesside and to prepare for expected growth.

The company has won several contracts in the Tees Valley in recent months and has outgrown its original base in Coundon, Bishop Auckland. Therefore the company wanted larger premises which would be best positioned to serve clients both now and in the future.

Karen Jones of Access Renewables comments “We’ve won a number of contracts in recent months so we needed larger office and warehouse accommodation to cope with demand. At the same time, we were conscious that a large proportion of our business was being carried out on Teesside. Therefore a move to Teesside seemed logical.” Karen continued: “Our new premises not only allow us room to expand in the near future, but will also bring us closer to more clients within the Tees Valley.”

The move also prepares the company for an expected increase in workload as a result of the Clean Energy Cashback Scheme which is due to start in April 2010. Although the exact details have yet to be announced, the industry expects that companies and individuals who generate their own electricity using solar or wind will receive cash-back estimated to be around 3 times the price of purchased electricity. Such schemes are in operation throughout Europe and are hugely popular.

Sean Collier adds “The new tariffs mean that Solar PV has become more of an attractive investment, and boosted by the availability of a £2500 grant available until April next year, we are urging homeowners to install systems without delay. Similarly, not-for-profit organisations can still access a grant of 50%”

The company is now based on Skippers Lane Industrial Estate, Middlesbrough. Access Renewables design and install Solar PV systems which comply fully with both the Low Carbon Buildings Programme grant scheme, and the new feed-in tariff scheme. The installer covers the entire country, and installs systems into hundreds of buildings each year.

Tags:
Posted in Company news | No Comments »

Powered by VIA::Creative