Solar Power First

We like to keep an eye on how different regions in the UK are engaging with renewable energy targets and net zero aims, and today’s update comes from the West Midlands. Consultants have suggested to the West Midlands Combined Authority that if the region is to meet its admirable target of being net zero by 2041, there are a number of measures that need to be put in place. A recent meeting with the intention of forming a plan to be put before the WMCA board has come up with a number of suggestion for provisions that should be made by 2026, which include: A “fivefold” increase in the number of properties with solar panels 50% of homes retrofitted “to a reasonable standard” of energy efficiency Increase from less than 1% of vehicles being electric, up to 8.5% Industries using gas, oil and coal to reduce from 5TWh to less than 4.7TWh Images shown at the presentation suggest that the region currently emits in the region of 11 megatons of CO2 emissions annually. B arny Evans, presenting, sai...

  We always enjoy hearing about successful solar projects, but it is also worth remembering that there are some solar projects which face a fight to go ahead, which is the case with the story we bring you today. Cardross Golf Club, a beautiful coastal course just north of Glasgow, is currently appealing a decision to deny them permission to go ahead with adding a collection of 108 solar panels to the roof of its clubhouse. The proposal was recently rejected by Argyll and Bute Council, but the club are not willing to give up hope. A council official is quoted as saying that the addition of the panels would prove to be ‘dominant, visually obtrusive and discordant’. The club found this to be odd, given that no objections were received from either members of the public or Historic Environment Scotland. A statement from Cardross Golf Club said: “Further to our conversations with the planning office and the original approval of the application from the department, we are very disappointe...

As we move further and further with the renewable energy revolution, the hope is that not only will we see individual homes or offices drawing the majority of their energy from solar generation, but also entire infrastructure. That’s why this latest piece of news we have to share is so exciting. It was recently announced that solar rail specialist Riding Sunbeams had been awarded over £2.5m as part of the South East Local Enterprise Partnership’s £85 million portion of the UK Government’s new ‘Getting Building Fund’. The grant will be utilised to build a solar farm which will in turn power the rail network between Eastbourne and London. It’s a hugely significant step to see such a prominent rail line rely on solar. The overall scheme is a £900 million UK-wide purse that is focused on funding local infrastructure projects, particularly those which drive economic growth and support green energy after the Covid-19 pandemic. The 3.75MW solar farm, known as Cuckmere Community Solar Farm, ha...

  With more and more local councils across the UK switching onto the value of solar panels in both environmental and economic terms, it’s exciting to be able to share regular news of new councils joining the solar revolution. This week it’s Bury’s turn! Bury council have announced a new solar panel project involving the installation of 69 solar panels at the council’s HQ at Bradley Fold. These 69 panels have each been attached to the south-facing roof of their vehicle depot. The project, carried out by Solarcrown, will see the solar panels generate roughly 22,000kWh of electricity per year, which in turn will reduce carbon emissions by around 10 tonnes annually. The installation will cost in the region of £27,000, an outlay that Bury Council expects to recoup within eight years, before going on to save a further £140,000 in electricity bills over the project’s lifetime. This is in addition to the savings already being enjoyed after the installation of LED lighting at their site in ...

Lancaster City Council have become the latest local council in the UK to take steps towards a renewable energy future, this time through the announcement of a potential £170,000 project that would see the addition of solar panels to 35 sheltered bungalows. There will be a decision made this week to determine whether they will authorise the funds to award the contract to install the solar PV panels, with the project estimated to save over 35 tonnes of CO2 per year.  The council cabinet received a report which stated: "The installation of solar PV panels is one of a range of measures designed to improve the thermal comfort of homes, to lower customer energy bills and to reduce the impact of harmful carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Not only will this improve the overall EPC rating of these properties, there will also be a reduction in energy bills for residents in our sheltered bungalows, which will create co-benefits that will support health and wellbeing." In addition to th...