Cathy Debenham, founder of YouGen
Renewable energy information and directory business YouGen was among the top 50 ethical SMEs in the PEA-ples Favourite competition. With your votes, its founder Cathy Debenham now hopes to make it into the top ten.
A majority of European PV installers approve of possible tariffs being imposed on imports to the EU, according to a new a survey.
Rising star Thomas Mortimer
As Wessex Group celebrates its 50th anniversary, one of its managers has been named amongst the top 50 ‘rising stars’ in the UK’s sustainable construction sector.
Uponor has launched its new Q&E complete plumbing system in the UK, designed to offer a direct alternative to copper and plastic push-fit systems for heating, hot water and cold water services.
Vphase has introduced to new products to its range of voltage optimisation devices.
A new training centre for Northern Ireland heating installers that focuses on renewable technologies is set to open in Portadown in County Armagh.
The Heat Pump Association (HPA) says it ‘cannot hide its profound disappointment’ at the delay to the launch of the domestic RHI and amendments to the commercial scheme which had been due this summer.
David Hunt, previously of Eco Environments, has joined Renewable Solutions UK
Liverpool-based Eco Environments has gone into liquidation.
Solar Power UK has rebranded itself this year to Solar Energy UK 2013.
The Great Orme visitors’ centre in Llandudno has been fitted with solar panels that will reduce energy bills and improve the building’s carbon footprint. The system, supplied by Hertfordshire-based Caplor Energy, forms part of Conwy County Council’s carbon neutral sustainability strategy.
Registration for the 8th Annual MicroCHP in Europe Summit is now open. The summit is strictly invitation only and is designed for subscribers to Delta-ee’s micro-CHP Service and other selected utilities, boiler manufacturers, product developers and key micro-CHP influencers.
British Solar Renewables Ltd has announced it has secured planning permission for a 20MW solar farm close to Bournemouth International Airport.
On 28 January 2013, MCS published the document MCS 023 (Additional Requirements for MCS Installers to become Green Deal Authorised). This document outlines the criteria, which all MCS installation companies who are assessed and certified against, in order to become registered for the microgen measures under Green Deal. MCS 023 was developed by MCS, working closely with both DECC and the relevant MCS committees.
Daniel Silcock, operations manager, Renewable Solutions UK
Q: Who is your hero in renewable energy?
“I’d nominate Vincent Kirkman, my former tutor at BoltonCollege. I was an apprentice there between 1998 and 2002 and I learned a huge amount from Vinnie. We’re now friends and I saw him again recently whilst installing solar PV, heat pumps, underfloor heating and rainwater harvesting at the College.”
Daniel Silcock, operations manager, Renewable Solutions UK
Q: What have you got planned for 2013?
iVolt is part of the global Sollatek group and in the two years since its launch we’ve set out to revolutionise the way voltage optimisation (VO) works. In 2013 we’ll be building on our advanced technology with the launch of new products including one specifically for new-builds., which offers even greater savings. We’re also developing plans to offer a gain-share solution and developing an international network of re-sellers/introducers.
Question time: Liz MacFarlane, Zenex Solar, asks why it feels like the politicians keep pulling the rug from under our feet
Well, where do I begin this month? From the high of Ecobuild to the low of the Chinese anti-dumping threat, it’s been an interesting time, says Liz MacFarlane.
Who are you?
Anthony Mayall, managing director of NIFES Consulting Group
Search history: According to Cathy Debenham, YouGen, has seen a shift in consumer interest for renewables over the last year
Cathy Debenham, YouGen, offers an insight into consumer interest in renewables over the last year.
Although we run a renewable energy website, you wouldn’t have thought it in February last year. Virtually all the questions we were asked were about solar PV (or the Feed-in Tariff for solar PV). After the home page, solar PV was easily the most visited section of YouGen, with nearly double the monthly traffic of the next most popular section (biomass boilers).
BRE’s Steve Pester, looks at the growing importance of energy storage in renewables.