News

As you may know the government is currently running a boiler scrappage scheme for England giving households a £400 incentive if they upgrade a G-rated boiler for a modern heating system.

What a lot of people are unaware of is that this scheme also covers heat pumps.

As MCS accredited heat pump installers this means that our customers qualify for an additional £900 Low Carbons Building Programme grant against installation.

That’s £1,300 available towards the installation of an air source heat pump!

Sandia National Laboratories scientists have developed tiny glitter-sized photovoltaic cells that could revolutionize the way solar energy is collected and used.

The tiny cells could turn a person into a walking solar battery charger if they were fastened to flexible substrates molded around unusual shapes, such as clothing.

There has been a lot of exciting change of late within the microgeneration sector. On the 12th November, the Green Energy Bill was made law - this Bill states that all microgeneration technologies, including wind turbines and air-source heat pumps (subject to size limits), will be as of the 12th January 2010 exempt from planning permission in or on domestic premises within England and Wales. This is great news for all those interested in or currently in the process of installing renewable energy technologies.

Devon is to get another nine wind turbines after plans were given the go-ahead.

Renewable Energy Systems (RES), which will build the 120m (393ft) high turbines at Den Brook near Crediton, said it was "delighted".

A planning inspector overturned objections about landscape impact by West Devon Borough Council.

Objectors questioned the turbines' output and said they would "devastate a beautiful valley".

The inspector felt that although there will be an impact on the rural environment, the harm caused could be outweighed by the renewable energy benefits of the development.

We are pleased to confirm, following today's Pre-Budget Report, that earnings from the tariffs will be free of income tax for householders who install systems for their own energy production.

Extract from Chancellor's speech:
"From April, people with a home wind turbine or solar panels who plug their excess power into the national grid, will receive on average £900 a year.
I intend to make this payment tax free."

Extract from Pre-Budget Report:

SunGift Solar have been awarded the Installer of the Year award at the 2009 Regen South West Green Energy Awards!

According to the guidelines given by Regen SW “this award recognises the renewable energy installer that stands out as an exemplar to other installers in the South West. Over the past 12 months they should have increased the number of installations or megawatts that they’ve installed, explored new opportunities, carried out high-quality work, and be recognised by customers for their high level of service.”

A sustainable energy initiative that will start with a huge solar project in the Sahara desert has been announced by a consortium of 12 European businesses.

The Desertec Industrial Initiative aims to supply Europe with 15% of its energy needs by 2050.

Companies who signed up to the $400bn (£240bn) venture include Deutsche Bank, Siemens and the energy provider E.On.

The consortium, which will be based in Munich, hopes to start supplying Europe with electricity by 2015.

SunGift Solar have been nominated for the 2009 Green Energy Installer of the year award!

The shortlists has now been announced for, following a record number of entries this year. The awards, which celebrate the achievements of individuals, groups, sustainable energy companies, and local authorities in furthering the development of sustainable energy in South West England, are now in their sixth year and had two new categories – installer of the year and sustainable energy photo of the year.

The following have been shortlisted:

Domestic UK energy bills could rise by 60% by 2016 in a worst-case scenario identified by the energy regulator.

However, most other estimates outlined in the Ofgem report would see prices rise between 14% and 25% above inflation by 2020.

The review also said that up to £200bn of investment was needed to secure supplies and to meet carbon targets.

Volatile gas markets and power stations nearing the end of their use were the chief concerns, the regulator said.

The Government has today launched a search for local authorities, charities and social enterprises to take up the challenge to help communities fight climate change.

Communities can apply for a share of a £10million fund as part of the Low Carbon Communities Challenge to build on existing low carbon schemes.

Around a quarter of the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions come from heating, lighting and powering electrical appliances in homes. By 2050 this needs to be almost zero if the UK is to cut its emissions by 80% highlighting the importance of local action.