Archive for the ‘Industry’ Category
Tuesday, May 25th, 2010
Access Renewables are disappointed to learn that the new coalition governments recent cuts to public spending have resulted in the hugely popular Low Carbon Buildings Programme closing to all new applications with immediate effect.
The Low Carbon Buildings Programme was managed by The Department of Energy and Climate Change and provided both homeowners and public sector buildings (such as schools and councils) with funds towards the installation of renewable technologies such as Solar and Heat Pumps. The decision to close the fund came at the same time as Government announced spending cuts throughout the public sector.
The closure of the scheme prematurely will result in a number of projects, both large and small to stall or be cancelled entirely, putting pressure on renewable energy companies throughout the UK. In February this year the scheme unexpectedly closed all applications for electricity-generating projects (such as solar PV and wind turbines) following the announcement of the Clean Energy Cashback Scheme – which is now in operation. The recent cuts now mean that heat-producing projects (such as heat pumps and solar thermal) are no longer eligible for funding. The previous Government was planning to implement the Renewable Heat Incentive from April 2011, which was to operate in a similar manner to the electricity-based cashback scheme. However the future of the scheme is still uncertain. Therefore the gap between now and April 2010 will be difficult for installers nationwide.
Sean Collier of Access Renewables comments “The industry has had a very strange 12 months, first with original cuts and funds running low last year, and now the closure of the entire LCBP scheme throws a lot of projects into doubt and difficulty. We will be working hard with customers and suppliers to seek alternative funding and assistance, and we will be campaigning relentlessly to ensure the Renewable Heat Incentive is launched early next year.”
The scheme website suggests that all existing applications prior to closure will still be processed, and any customer who have already received their grant offer will still be able to make a claim against it.
Tags: closure, LCBP, Low Carbon Buildings Programme, renewable heat incentive
Posted in Funding, Industry | No Comments »
Tuesday, May 11th, 2010
We are very aware of the current shortage of solar equipment including modules and inverters at the moment, which is affecting all installers across Europe. However we’ve been hard at work creating a series of special offers which we will guarantee to install within 21 days, or we’ll give you £100. It’s as simple as that.
Many installers are currently struggling to obtain equipment, and in many cases installation lead times are in excess of 10 weeks. Here at Access Renewables, we’ve secured stock to ensure that all of our special offer systems from now until the end of this year will be installed within 21 days. And that includes the most popular shortage items such as inverters from Fronius and SMA.
We’ve announced this industry-leading guarantee as customers seek quicker ways to benefit from the Clean Energy Cashback Scheme. We’ll ensure new systems are installed to benefit from the expected Summer sunshine!
Visit the Homeowners section of our website to view the most recent offers. The offers are based on physical stock, and so are available on a first-ordered, first-served basis – so act quickly! We will be updating the offers as stock changes.
Tags: solar offers, solar prices, solar PV installations, solar PV installer
Posted in Company news, Industry, Solar Photovoltaics | No Comments »
Monday, February 1st, 2010
 Access Renewables are pleased to receive the long-awaited results of the Feed-in tariff consultation held by the DECC which will become effective from the 1st April 2010 for Solar Photovoltaic installations.
The DECC has today confirmed that, under it’s Clean Energy Cashback Scheme, anyone who installs a solar PV system in the UK will be eligible to receive a set rate for each unit of energy that the system produces (kWh) plus an additional reward for any energy exported back to the National Grid.
All systems installed after 1st July 2009 will be eligible for the following rates:
- Solar PV – Under 4kw (retrofit) – 41.3p
- Solar PV – Under 4kw (new-build) – 36.1p
- Solar PV – 4-10kw – 36.1p
- Solar PV – 10kw – 100kw – 31.4p
- Solar PV – 100kw – 5mw – 29.3p
This means that for an average home installing 2kw of Solar PV onto their roof (at an assumed cost of £12,500) using a Microgeneration Certification Scheme-approved contractor would receive around £850 per year, plus reduce their energy bills by around £150.
The new scheme will be managed by OFGEM and will be administered through the customers current electricity provider. The rates are expected to be tax-free, and index-linked.
We are expecting this recent announcement to increase the demand for Solar PV systems in the UK, and so we are encouraging customers to contact us as soon as possible. On the 31st March 2010, the Low Carbon Buildings Programme grant scheme for homeowners will close, as the Clean Energy Cashback Scheme is to replace this. However, you can apply for the grant now (and have 3 months to install) and also benefit from the new scheme. Most homeowners will be eligible for a grant of £2000-£2500.
However, there is currently a shortage of Solar inverters and some solar modules across Europe, and the new scheme is likely to make the things worsen. So in order to meet the deadline for the grant, and to ensure you can have a system installed in time we really stress that you should contact us without delay.
As an expanding business involved in the supply and installation of Solar PV systems, Access Renewables are delighted to receive confirmation of the new rates and the commitment to the industry shown by DECC and the Government. This new package will provide the basis on which we can expand as a business - as levels of trade increase, so too will our company in terms of employees, abilities and strength. Sean Collier of Access Renewables comments: “The new figures seem fair and in-line with other EU countries. This should provide a real incentive to homeowners, businesses and other organisations to install systems for which they will be rewarded for financially, and not forgetting the non-financial rewards of creating green energy of their own. The expected increase in installations will enevitably result in more jobs in our business and the industry in general.”
Link to the DECC’s press release: http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/news/pn10_010/pn10_010.aspx
Tags: clean energy cashback, Feed-in tariff, Solar PV
Posted in Funding, Industry, Solar Photovoltaics | No Comments »
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 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: Funding, LCBP, Solar PV
Posted in Funding, Industry, Solar Photovoltaics | No Comments »
Friday, August 28th, 2009
Following the recent announcement regarding local competitor AAG Swepco Limited entering into administration (here), we are offering advice and guidance to their customers to minimise the effect the closure of their business has on any ongoing projects.
Access Renewables are offering to match the price and specification of a number of products and services. In addition to this, we can also provide advice and assistance with any grant funding applications which you have submitted. In a number of cases, we are able to transfer the details.
Should you wish to order products and services from us, we aim to keep to a similar schedule – ensuring a smooth, hassle-free transition. For assistance, please contact us using our website, or call us on 01388 606024.
Access Renewables provide a wide range of renewable energy systems and services, are members of the Microgeneration Certification Scheme and the OFT-approved REAL code for renewable energy companies, ensuring complete confidence in our abilities.
* Price and specification match is available on a wide range of products and services. *We will endeavour to match specification, however in some cases this may not be possible. *We will endeavour to match any genuine quotation, however we reserve the right to remove or amend this offer for any reason at any time.
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Wednesday, July 1st, 2009
A renewable energy company based in the North East has announced it is to hold a series of web seminars to introduce the basic aspects of installing renewable energy systems into homes.
County Durham-based Access Renewables is to use the internet to hold online seminars which are will provide homeowners with an opportunity to explore the various options associated with the installation of a renewable energy system.
 Click the logo to sign-up to the next webinar The 30-minute seminars will introduce participants to the range of renewable energy systems available, the availability of grants and funding, and how each technology can be applied. Each participant will be given a link to the secure seminar area which will include a presentation, hosted by Sean Collier of Access Renewables. Participants can also use the seminar to ask questions in a more informal setting.
Sean Collier of Access Renewables comments “We’ve been looking for a way to engage with our potential customers, and particularly those who are in the early stages of looking for a renewable energy system and installer. Almost all of our domestic customers seek assistance and guidance prior to choosing a system and so by offering our expert knowledge and opinions at a relatively early stage, our customers can make a more of an informed decision.”
The company is offering the free web seminars to homeowners throughout the UK, however they are expected to be hugely popular. Sean Collier adds “The number of places on each web seminar is limited, as we aim to provide a rather relaxed and informal session”. Interested individuals can sign-up for the seminar via the installers website www.accessrenewables.co.uk and can do so from any Internet-connected PC.
There are also plans to extend the seminars to introduce renewable energy to small and medium-sized businesses, to introduce them to the various tax savings and finance options available. Access Renewables are also believed to be the first renewable energy installer in the country to use web seminars as a way of interacting with potential customers.
Tags: advice, domestic, homeowners, web seminar, webinar
Posted in Company news, Industry, Renewables | No Comments »
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Solar PV – Life under the Clean Energy Cashback Scheme
Tuesday, May 4th, 2010We’ve now been running under the Government’s Clean Energy Cashback Scheme for just over a month and we thought we should provide a quick update as to how it’s affecting us, and our valued customers.
Therefore, the majority of the UK’s solar PV installers are struggling to cope with the rise in demand, and sparse stocks. At Access Renewables we’ve been relatively fortunate in that we have planned ahead for the rise in demand and have secured a large amount of stock for our customers, which means we can often install systems more quickly than other suppliers – ensuring your system is installed before the summer!
We have stock of a wide range of solar modules from manufacturers such as Mitsubishi (PV-TD185MF5 module), Sharp (NU180E1 and NU185E1), Kyocera (KD210G2PU), Romag Powerglaz and Suntech STP210 to name a few. We also have frequent deliveries of Fronius, SMA, Diehl and Mastervolt inverters. And we’ve secured supplies for many months to come.
So, how is the Clean Energy Cashback Scheme directly affecting our customers? Well all customers are reporting quick success with dealing with the administration-side of things (we’ll take care of a large chunk of this), so the transition has been very smooth indeed.
If you are looking to install a Solar PV system, talk to us. We’ll get your system installed usually within a matter of weeks, meaning you’ll be enjoying the rewards of the summer sun much more quickly!
For more information, simply select your customer ground in the boxes above – you’ll be whisked away to the area which will be most relevant to you and your project. Alternatively, simply call us on 01642 606096.
Tags: clean energy cashback, solar PV installer
Posted in Comments, Industry, Solar Photovoltaics | No Comments »