April 1st, 2010
Renewable energy installation company Access Renewables has moved into larger premises in Stockton On Tees from its previous base in Middlesbrough as a result of reported success.
Access Renewables installs green energy systems such as solar and heat pumps into homes, businesses and schools across the North East, and on the back of an upturn in demand for such products, the company has expanded into supplying them to other installers too.
Sean Collier of Access Renewables comments “We’ve seen a good increase in installations on the back of schemes such as the Clean Energy Cashback Scheme and the Carbon Trust’s interest-free loan scheme, and in order to continue servicing clients we’ve decided to relocate to larger premises. This will also allow us to diversify by also creating a wholesale division which will focus on supplying existing and new installation businesses with renewable energy products .â€
The company has moved into premises in Stockton, near to Bowesfield and Preston Farm industrial estates. The premises will be the sole base of the company for both it’s installation and wholesale operations, and the building will be installed with solar panels in the near future to provide green power to the building and to demonstrate the systems to potential customers.
Tags: expansion, installer, relocation
Posted in Company news | 3,263 Comments »
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 -Â 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 | 3,806 Comments »
January 5th, 2010
£250 off selected systems
We are pleased to announce a January Sale of our own on our three most popular Solar PV systems for homeowners. We already have some fantastic package prices available on the Mitsubishi 185w systems between 1.48kw and 2.22kw which we have publicised for the past 3 or 4 months now – however we are also offering a further £250 off these systems, which means you can now get the 8 panel Mitsubishi PV-TD185MF5 system, fully-installed for only £6,749.99 inclusive of VAT and a grant of £2500.
But you better hurry! You must make an enquiry to us by the end of January and also apply for grant funding from The Energy Saving Trust by 31st March 2010 – after this time the grant will no longer be available! Plus, you’ll benefit from the new feed-in tariff from April 2010 on all of our systems.
To see more information on these offers, click HERE to go straight to our special offer page. Remember this is only for domestic customers in England and Wales – if you are in Scotland the grant amount differs (and it’s actually better!).
Tags: january sale, Solar PV
Posted in Company news, Solar Photovoltaics | Comments Off
December 7th, 2009
Work has completed on the installation of solar photovoltaic systems into two Stockton schools as part of an educational programme.
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Electricity-producing solar panels have been installed into Ingleby Mill Primary School in Ingleby Barwick and Bader Primary School in Thornaby as part of a programme launched by npower and Stockton Borough Council.
The npower climate cops programme runs green-themed activities for schools across the UK, and provides grants for energy-efficiency projects which are designed to reduce the Carbon Dioxide production and energy costs at the schools. The programme engages pupils with important climate change issues.
The installer chosen by Stockton Borough Council and npower was Middlesbrough-based installer Access Renewables. Sean Collier from Access Renewables said “We were delighted to be part of the programme as installers and we fully support the npower Climate Cops programme as it highlights the importance of energy efficiency in schools. The systems we have installed will save both energy and money for the schools, whilst being a visible reminder to pupils, staff and visitors to the school.â€
The systems have also been installed with a display unit in both schools so that pupils can monitor the system performance regularly. Â
- Access Renewables provides a range of systems including solar thermal, solar photovoltaic, wind turbines, ground and air source heat pumps and rainwater harvesting.
- Access Renewables are certified installers under the Microgeneration Certification Scheme.
- For more information regarding the npower Climate Cops programme, please contact npower press contacts. For comments from Stockton Borough Council, please contact their press contacts directly.
- Please contact Sean Collier – Access Renewables on 07534 252472 for further information, interviews or images.
Tags: installation, installers, npower, photovoltaic, Solar PV, stockton
Posted in Company news, Completed Installations, Solar Photovoltaics | Comments Off
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 | 3,859 Comments »
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.â€
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%â€
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: office move
Posted in Company news | 4,802 Comments »
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.
Posted in Company news, Industry | Comments Off
You may already know that towards the end of 2009 and early 2010, there was a shortage of solar modules. The situation improved and most manufacturers are reporting reasonable availability. However, the industry is now suffering from a shortage of solar components, in particulr solar inverters (which convert the energy from solar PV panels to use in the home or premises). This is as a result of rising demand which followed the announcement of the Clean Energy Cashback Scheme, extensions to subsidies in other European countries and a worldwide shortage of components required in the manufacturing process of Inverters.
