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.

This week the three main political parties launched their election manifestoes, with each detailing how they plan to drive the production of renewable energy. All three parties agreed on the introduction of some form of Green Investment Bank to encourage investment in the sector.

LABOUR: Labour was the first party to publish its manifesto, which promised an early decision on the Severn tidal project.
http://www.newenergyfocus.com/do/ecco/view_item?listid=1&listcatid=32&li...

A prototype solar-powered plane has made its first full test flight - coming closer to the goal of using solar energy to fly around the world.
The Solar Impulse, with a wingspan similar to that of a super-jumbo jet but weighing the same as a saloon car, took off from a Swiss airfield.
The plane's wings are covered by solar cells which power four electric motors.
Its designers hope a slightly larger production model will circumnavigate the globe in two years' time.
The test flight was intended to verify that the plane's behaviour tallied with simulations.

This consultation seeks views on the proposal to combine and update existing planning policy on climate change and renewable energy from two documents into one. Building from current approaches, the new policy reflects the latest legislative and policy context.

Local councils will be allowed to start generating and selling electricity back to the grid, in legislation being planned to bring about a local energy revolution.
Ed Miliband, the climate change secretary, intends to help councils to become energy providers, individually or jointly, by setting up renewable energy companies. The plan is the latest attempt to shake up the energy provision and encourage sustainable sources. Councils are responsible for some 10% of UK carbon emissions and Miliband thinks they need incentives to move to lower carbon energy.

Marks & Spencer has said it will build on the success of its Plan A sustainability programme, which has already saved the retailer £50m.

This week the company announced a raft of new commitments which it believes will make it the most sustainable retailer by 2015.

Currently only some of the chains lines are Plan A products but by 2020 it aims to ensure that everything it sells will meet these ethical and ecological standards, with an interim target of 50% of products converted by 2015.

The plan also covers the company's supply chain.

Congratulations to YouGen for being nominated for a Green Web Award in the Green Living Advice category. The public can now vote on their favourite and the winners will be announced later this year.

Householders will soon be able to enjoy tax-free returns above 8pc, add to the value of their property and do their bit to help the planet.

Perhaps it was inevitable that Britain would experience the coldest winter in decades as political bigwigs returned from the Copenhagen summit on global warming. But, despite falling temperatures and rising scepticism, it seems householders will soon be able help the environment and gain electrifying returns.

There is still a huge amount to do to win public support for renewable energy, Ed Miliband, Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, warned this week.
Speaking at the annual parliamentary reception of the British Wind Energy Association in London, on Wednesday, January 26 2010, he said: We have to use the years ahead to fight for this industry, not just because it is in our environmental interest and security interest, but is in our economic interest as well.

The Low Carbon Buildings Programme (LCBP), Phase-1 and Phase-2 has closed to all new applications for grants for electrical microgeneration as of 5pm, Wednesday 3rd February, which follows the publication of the Government’s consultation on the Feed-In Tariffs (FIT’s)