Today the government announced that from 12 December there would be a large cut in the Feed-in Tariff – the financial incentive that makes installing solar PV an excellent investment. But while many reports in the media suggest that this is terrible news, SunGift Solar has revealed that, despite the lower rates, solar PV is still an exceptional investment.

Motorway service stations are throwing aside their less than glamorous reputation to play host to the worlds first national recharging network for electric cars. A charge point comes online today at South Mimms services in Hertfordshire and will be followed by so-called top-up zones at 11 more Welcome Break motorway services by September.

Within 18 months, the network will have expanded to encompass all 27 of the company's locations, running from the EuroTunnel services in Kent to Abington in Scotland.

It has just been announced that ‘Ecologic’, the educational film commissioned by East Devon Council has been chosen by the Green Organisation to be a winner of the International Green Apple Awards for Environmental Best Practice.

The film features three students from Exmouth Community College investigating solutions to energy conservation and more efficient energy production. One of the case studies features Gabriel speaking about our potential new offices.

To view the film please follow the following link above.

By Jamie Burnham Lead System Designer, SunGift Solar

This is the second year I have attended InterSolar, the worlds largest PV exhibition and again I found it to be a very rewarding experience. I was massively impressed by the scale of the event. It is incredible to see how wide spread the international PV market is and the fantastic to see the latest innovations developing in our industry. With 2,200 exhibitors covering some 165,000m² of the International Congress Centre Munich, it really is a huge gathering of all the cutting edge companies involved in PV.

The £860 million Renewable Heat Incentive, announced today by the government, is good news for householders and businesses that choose to switch from traditional heating to technologies such as solar thermal panels, ground source heat pumps, and wood chip burners. For the first time ever, householders, businesses and schools will be able to make money from heating their properties. This makes fitting renewable energy to your property not only much more attractive, but very affordable.

Congratulations to Forest Fuels who won the Installer or Supplier of the Year award this year at the Regen Awards 2010. The awards were presented at the Renewable Futures exhibition in Bath on 23rd November.

SunGift Solar were runners up for this award, along with Kensa, Solar Sense and Vertdegree.

A huge number of applications were received this year for this award so it is great to have been recognised at these awards.

Energy secretary Chris Huhne has stressed the need for a diverse portfolio of renewable energy technologies in order to secure the UK's future energy supply.

The cabinet member made the comments in a speech to the London School of Economics (LSE) yesterday (November 2) where he outlined the role that renewable energy and s ‘green revolution' could play in helping restore the economy.

The Government has announced plans to offer buyers of electric cars up to £5000 toward the purchase.

Transport Secretary Philip Hammond confirmed today (July 28) that motorists would be able to apply for the cash towards purchase of an ultra-low carbon car from January 2011.

The £5,000 has been guaranteed by the Government until March 2012, but will be reviewed in January 2012.

Until March 2010 £43 million will made available to fund the scheme.

Over 90% of landowners are considering renewable energy schemes, according to a Knight Frank survey at the CLA Game Fair today

• 92% of landowners polled by Knight Frank at the CLA Game Fair said they were considering some form of renewable electricity generation schemes on their estate

• 80% said the introduction of the renewable energy feed-in tariff had encouraged them to investigate renewable energy schemes

From today (July 12) Floyd Lewis, former director of Solar Technik, has been banned for nine years following the way he run his business.

Solar Technik which traded from Hinton Road, Bournemouth, Dorset went into voluntary liquidation in March 2007owing creditors £1,381,456.

But, before going bust the firm had been the subject of numerous investigations following customer's complaints over advertsing claims, sales techniques and other issues.