The historic cathedral, that was rebuilt after Nazi bombing raids in the Second World War, was thinking of investing over one hundred thousand pounds installing the panels.
However cuts in the so-called ‘Feed in Tariff’ offered by the Government now make the project financially impossible.
At the beginning the offer of 43 pence for every unit of energy generated meant that the cathedral would be able to pay back the costs of the investment and make money on top.
But the Government’s decision to slash the so-called ‘Feed in Tariff’(FITS) by over half to 21p means that this is now financially impossible.
Solar panel on the roof of King's Cross Train Shed
A massive £1.3m project to fit a 240 kilowatt solar system to the roof of King’s Cross station is nearing completion.
The station’s new roof captured imaginations when it opened last week and impressed many that saw it. Now the process of installing solar panels along two new curved glass roofs soaring high above the platforms and concourses is in many ways just as spectacular.
The solar PV cells are set into 1392 glass laminate units that form part of the 2,300 square metre glass roofing structure.
One of the largest solar projects in the UK has been installed on a chicken farm in the Midlands, at a cost £1.2m.
Over 2,300 solar panels were installed on the roof of two massive building belonging to poultry farmer Edward Davies during the project, which stretched a distance of 210metres in total.
The plan includes a one hundred and fifty metre long ground array of 1,200 panels installed on the farm also.
Andy Boroughs, managing director of Organic Energy, who managed the project, said that it was one of the biggest of its kind anywhere in the UK.
“The Ludlow site is the single biggest installation ever created in Shropshire and we believe the Powys array is probably the largest in Mid Wales too,” he said.
Virtu, the name given to a new a hybrid solar panel that simultaneously heats water and generates electricity.
The new technology integrates an electricity-generating PVC cell into a hot-water-generating solar thermal panel. Through combining the two technologies, the industry is now able to address one of the problems facing PVC cells :
Solarcentury has launched a new solar electric roof tile that has been designed to fit alongside plain roof tiles.
The solar tile is suitable and can be fitted alongside normal roof tiles from all manufacturers. The huge demand for solar panels has led to the development of integrating solar panels with original roof tiles.
The Feed-in tariff has boosted demand for solar significantly, and that is set to continue as energy prices rise. Many solar installers and roofing contractors have started to adopt this new tile, due to its design flexibility and integration with existing roofing structures.
From left, Cllrs Val Barrell and Mark Howell, site manager Steve Hall and Glenda Street, residents’ liaison officer
Lean GREEN Light Saving Machine
The installation of 500 free solar panels on council homes in South Cambridgeshire has begun & all this at at no cost to the occupants.
The roof based solar panels are being paid for and fitted by Savills Solar next month, with electricity generated during the day available free to residents and the surplus electricity being sold to energy providers to finance the project.
From April 1st 2012 all households that wish to install any kind of solar PV system will need to ensure that their houses are properly insulated and meet level D of the EPC certificate to receive their Feed in Tariff (FIT)
The new requirement will apply to any building, connected to a solar PV system, whether that be a domestic or commercial property. Any building must still be covered by an EPC Level D even if it is not heated at all. The new requirements covers systems of less than 50 kW of energy produced. Financial assistance required in order to meet the new level will also be available through the government’s Green Deal scheme.
The Government Department for Energy & Climate Change have made it absolutely clear that there is no negotiation and all householders must hold a certificate at level D or above. A statement released from the department stated that: (more…)
There are many myths surrounding solar power in general, this can be attributed to many factors but most crucial of all is a lack of awareness and understanding from the general public with regards to the benefits of solar power and what it can do for people. Also there seems to be a lack of advertising on the subject especially when it comes to t.v. ad campaigns and other forms of media coverage.
The Governments Department Of Energy and Climate Change has lost its battle with the Solar Panel Industry over the Feed In Tariff (FIT) Rate
How Much Money Should I Receive from the Scheme?
The Feed in Tariff Rate was introduced by the Government on the 1st April 2010 and guarantees a set amount of income for all electricity generated by a solar panel system installed on the roof of your property: (See what solar panels could do for you »)