Global Investment in the UK Solar PV Market

You might not think so but the UK solar PV
market is vibrant at the moment, even given the abysmal legal situation surrounding Feed-in Tariffs. For instance Solar Power Portal reports that German company Mage Solar has partnered with logistics firm Kuehne +Nagel in order to build a new warehouse and despatch centre in Dagenham, Essex. This will reduce considerably the amount of lead-in time that Mage’s installation partners have to endure. Mage established a UK team of sales executives at the beginning of 2011 and is therefore poised to expand its network of installers across the country. In the North-East a new solar PV manufacturing plant has been constructed on Tyneside and has started production, creating 60 new jobs in addition to the 21 staff already employed. The plant is owned by solar company Sunfest and is a state-of-the-art facility which Sunfest is hoping will produce 15 MW per year of module capacity during its first manufacturing phase with plans to expand over forthcoming years.
A Shade Greener has opened a new Head Office office in Paulton, South Bristol, creating 129 new jobs in the area. The company claims to be the largest free solar panel installer in the UK and employs over 600 people in the solar sector. They have recently attracted financing which they say will be able to help them install another 35,000 solar panel systems by March 2015.
Trina Solar has opened new offices in Castle Donington, Derby, and has appointed a new Sales Manager for the UK. Displaying a positive upbeat attitude despite the current highly challenging environment Richard Rushin said “I am genuinely excited about expanding the Trina Solar brand awareness in the UK and forging long-term strategic partnerships to achieve greater market share across the segments.”
ClickGreen has reported exciting new developments in Bristol where Bristol City Council is actively involved in a city-wide renewable energy scheme. The city has been awarded a £2.5 million grant from the European Investment Bank (EIB) to develop an energy services company and investment programme. The new company’s planned projects will include a programme of installing over 7,000 renewable energy generating systems on homes and buildings which includes solar panels and wood fuelled heating.
In Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, Able Canopies Ltd have launched their Faraday Solar Canopy range, free-standing structures which provide shade while at the same time generating energy courtesy of solar panels installed on the canopy roof. These structures are ideal for organisations that can’t install solar PV on their normal roof space, say the company. The structures are made from galvanised steel and are ideal for use as playground shelters, covered dining areas, covered walkways or a variety of other uses.

Written by quest blogger Richard Finch, SolarPages