Renewable Energy Solar Panels and Wind Turbines
LEADING THE WAY WITH RENEWABLE ENERGY
News
Feed-in-tariff and the Renewable Heat Incentive
The long awaited Feed-in-Tariff (or Clean Energy Cashback) was introduced in April 2010 as a replacement for the much derided grants scheme, the Low Carbon Buildings Programme. More details can be found here.
The government has also published the consultation document for the forthcoming Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) which is due to be introduced in April 2011. The RHI will provide incentives for solar water heating systems and air source heat pumps and will structured in a similar way as the Feed-in-Tariff. The scheme will be the first of its type in the EU.
Croftlands Housing Estate
As part of our ongoing collaboration with Kirklees Neighbourhood Housing, at the end of 2009 we completed the installation of another 60 solar PV systems on the Croftlands Estate in Huddersfield. This follows on from the 30 systems we installed in 2008 on the Fernside Estate and the 100 systems in 2005. At Croftlands, each property was fitted with one of our Suntricity 1 PV systems. The systems were fitted in order to minimise the fuel bills of the residents and to reduce their carbon footprint. KNH have reported that the PV systems have been extremely popular with residents being proud of having access to some of the world’s latest energy generating technology.
PV facade in central London
As part of a refurbishment project in St Martin’s Lane, Covent Garden, Photon Energy has installed a facade with PV modules on two sides of an emergency staircase. Because the lower levels do not normally receive any sunlight, these were clad with screen-printed dummy modules with a similar appearance to ordinary ‘working’ PV modules. The scheme forms part of a large refurbishment project lead by Wates Construction which will provide retail, office and residential accommodation in a prime location in Central London.
PV and biomass heating for social housing tenants
Tenants of a new development by a Housing Association in South Wales will benefit from two forms of renewable energy in 2010 – Photon Energy has been contracted to install 115kW of solar PV and another contractor will provide biomass heating at this development at Old Town Dock in Newport. The PV modules will be mounted on both pitched and flat roofs of three apartment blocks, the energy centre and fifteen houses and operated on a private wire scheme.
Elmtree Avenue
This development of 34 houses was by Hill Partnerships for North Hertfordshire Homes. The houses have been built to Level 3 of the Code for Sustainable Homes and each one has an integrated Schuco solar water heating collector. The 4.6 m2 solar collectors fit seamlessly into the roofs to meet the requirements of the local planners.
Inverclyde Royal Hospital
We have recently completed the installation of 6 Proven Energy wind turbines on the roof of Inverclyde Royal Hospital in Greenock. The turbines were lifted into a position with a 250 tonne crane and mounted on specially designed steel frames. The turbines are also mounted on a brand new hydraulic mast which was developed specifically for the project. The performance of each turbine is being individually monitored to see how much CO2 they displace.
Greenhouse Wind Turbines
Continuing our work as the country’s leading installer of building mounted wind turbines, we have recently finished the installation of 2 Proven Energy wind turbines on the prestigious Greenhouse development in Beeston, Leeds. The 6 kW turbines will provide power for the development alongside hot water provided from a large solar water heating system installed by our partner AES.
Photon Energy return to Ecobuild 2nd – 4th March 2010
Ecobuild is the world’s biggest event dedicated to sustainable design, construction and the built environment. The exhibition has doubled in size and attendance every year since its launch in 2005. Photon Energy joined the 800 exhibitors taking part in the three day event, showcasing the widest range of sustainable products and services available in the industry. Lucy Aitchison, Director of Photon Energy, said: “We are excited about exhibiting at Ecobuild this year and look forward to seeing many of our past, present and future clients there.”
British Small Business Champions — Most Promising New Business
Photon Energy was named by the Federation of Small Businesses as the “Most Promising New Business” of 2008. The company’s directors attended the Federation’s Gala Dinner and ceremony at Claridges in London on Friday 21st November 2008, where they collected the award which was sponsored by AIMS Accountants.
Photon Energy installs PV at ‘One Brighton’
One Brighton is a new development of over 100 apartments in Brighton built by Denne Construction on behalf of Crest Nicholson in partnership with Bioregional Quintain. The project aims to create a sustainable ‘One Planet Living’ community in Brighton's New England Quarter. ‘One Planet Living’ is based on 10 principles of sustainability developed by BioRegional and WWF International. Photon Energy installed a 9.5 kWp solar PV system at the development to help to achieve the goal of a zero carbon lifestyle. See www.onebrighton.co.uk for further information about the project.
Photon Energy in Huddersfield
In order to further cement our presence in the north of England, we are in the process of expanding our operations in Huddersfield. This will allow us to provide support to our existing team of local installers and to further expand our storage depot which is in the town. We can now be contacted locally on 01484 490020. Look out for the two Photon Energy vans which are now to be seen in the area!
Photon Energy has enjoyed a successful partnership with both Kirklees Metropolitan Council and Kirklees Neighbourhood Housing and their ongoing commitment to renewable energy technologies has been a key factor in our decision to expand our presence in Huddersfield.
