New Feed in tarriff rates (Fit)

Feed in Tarriff rates to be reduced from 12th December 2011:
This is going to create a lot of anger and unrest in the solar industry.
The changes happening at such short notice will destroy so many projects which have taken a lot of time and money to plan for.

http://www.oursolarfuture.org.uk/

Solar Power UK - Future of UK Solar PV

UK Solar bosses met today for day 3 of the the Solar Power UK conference & exhibition in Birmingham and heard announcements about the proposed changes to feed in tariffs that are planned. The IV Cleantech team were present for the final session of the day to hear plans for how the industry intends to cope with changes to incentive schemes available.

Solar PV does not feature in the 8 main renewable energy technologies. But that being said there is still opportunity for Solar PV to play a major part in the UK renewable energy map.

Consumer demand for microgeneration is weighted towards Solar PV with 55% of consumers choosing Solar PV over other cleantech. Over 50% of consumers are unaware of government incentive schemes available. (Gemserv)

There will be no more major announcements from the government until November 1st so we will all need to wait for any real news on how feed in tarriffs will be effected this year and into 2012. Howard Johns, chairman of the STA and MD of Southern Solar discussed the ambition of the solar industry. He touched on the governments fast track Fit review rumoured to be announced next week. He seemed annoyed at the governments attitude to the solar industry but was also positive about the future of the industry and possibility of grid parity before 2020.

The solar industry has created 25,000 jobs in the last 18 months, 90,000 installations have been completed, and over 4,000 small businesses now operate in the solar industry.
Howard talked about the 'our solar future' campaign and encourages solar industry advocates to take part in this. To help this cause you can go to www.oursolarfuture.org.uk

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Basic Solar Panel Installation

How Do You Install Solar Panels?

Solar panels are becoming increasing popular these days. They are better for the environment, save on fuel and energy costs and are becoming cheaper to purchase. Have you bought solar panels for your home or business, but are unsure how to install? You are in luck as we are going to discuss the installation process for solar panels.

First thing that you should note is that it is easier to install your solar panels while your roof is being re-shingled. You can also create an exterior solar panel that is separate from your roof. If you are installing it on your roof, you should do the following:

1. Use the provided mounts and secure those to your roof
a. Using a stud-finder, find the rafters in your roof and attach the mounts to the rafter.
b. Ensure that you are installing them in a straight line. You can use some string and chalk or a laser light to create a straight line on your roof.
2. Secure the mounts to the roof with stainless steel bolts.
3. Use metal flashing's and install those over the mounts.
4. Next, attach the solar panels by placing them in a straight line across the roof where the bolts are located.
5. Lastly, you will have to connect the conduit from the panels to the inverter. This inverter will take the solar energy and convert it into renewable energy for your home or business.

That’s all there is to installing solar panels. It’s not hard and you can do it yourself!

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UK Renewable energy exhibitions

Next week I will be attending some interesting exhibitions and conferences which showcase the best there is to offer of the renewable energy industry.

Renewable UK's annual exhibiion and conference taking place in Manchester will offer some fantastic resource and information on the offshore wind, wave and tidal industry and will be an interesting and exciting event to attend with large amounts of money and effort being invested in these areas in the UK over the coming months and years.

The Solar Power UK exhibition in conference being held at the ICC in Brimingham will be the biggest solar power exhibition the UK has ever seen and will mark a significant development in the industry at a particularly exciting time in this market with the anticipated reduction in feed in tarrifs and current gold rush to complete domestic and commercial projects up to 50Kw.

I also shows that there is a real industry in this country for solar power and renewable energy, which has created a lot of global interest and regardless of incentive changes the industry will still be going strong in 5, 10 or 20 years.

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Latest in Renewable Energy News?

What is the Latest in Renewable Energy News?

Renewable energy is something that has been used for many years. Centuries even. But there is always something new and exciting being developed when it comes to renewable energy. There are so many different types of renewable energy, and since it’s better for the environment it creates a lot of renewable energy jobs.

One of the more recent headlines in renewable energy is the development of the ceramic fuel cell. This ceramic fuel cell was developed in Australia but they are marketing it towards European countries because of cost. Yet another news worthy headline related to renewable energy is the rise in cars being able to use one source or another for power. There are more electric cars being developed, and also those designed to use a renewable bio fuel.

Solar panels are also on the rise as they become cheaper and easier to install. Just as many companies are using them as homeowners. This is great for the environment and more cost effective as the years go on.

Some other things that are being discussed in the news are the affects of natural disasters on various power plants, wind farms, etc. Around the world, there have been hurricanes, earthquakes, fires, etc and all of these affect the plants and farms that have been created to produce energy. For example, when the large earthquake hit Japan earlier this year, it destroyed the nuclear power plant, and its nuclear meltdown destroyed the local environment for years to come.

IV Cleantech stay on top of the latest renewable energy news, and is a great resource to help you examine global green energy.

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Pros and Cons of Geothermal Energy?

What Are the Pros and Cons of Geothermal Energy?

Geothermal energy comes from the earth’s heat. While this might seem like a great way to use this natural heat, there are pros and cons to using it, and building geothermal reservoirs. Let’s take a closer look at the pros and cons of using geothermal energy.

Geothermal energy does not pollute the environment and is considered to be a green energy. Also, it’s a renewable energy source that can sustain its utilization rate, and is something that is practically unlimited as we are just using the heat from the earth’s core and surface. Using geothermal energy for heating and cooling can save you or your company a lot of money, as much as 70 percent from normal heating and cooling systems.

Another good thing about geothermal energy is that it is something that is going to last for quite a long time. Many scientists claim that it might even be around longer the sun. The last pro that we will discuss about geothermal energy is that it is a reliable source of energy. Geothermal energy is always available, and its use, when harnessed properly, is consistent.

As with everything, there are some cons to using geothermal energy. While we mentioned above that using geothermal energy for heating and cooling systems is one way to save money, there is a steep initial cost. Therefore you have to see it as an investment for the long-term. Since most of the geothermal reservoirs are built near faults, there is also the threat of earthquakes. Lastly, a large a space is needed for the geothermal reservoir. Therefore, their use is limited to those with larger tracts of land.

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What is Geothermal Energy?

What is Geothermal Energy?

In Greek, the word “geo” means earth and “therme” means heat. Those two words together give us the definition of geothermal– it is using the earth’s heat to create energy. We use heat from steam or hot water to generate power, which can heat houses and buildings. But how does this work?
Most of the use of geothermal energy comes from the Earth’s core, as that is where there is the most heat. The Earth’s core has two layers; outer core which is created from magma, or melted rock, and then the iron core which is solid. The core is then surrounded by the mantle which is said to be 1,800 miles think, and is formed from magma and rock. Lastly there is the Earth’s crust, which is the outer layer. This is what we see today with the continents and ocean floors.

Geothermal energy can also come from sources such as geysers, hot springs, and volcanoes, and it can be used directly as a heat source. There are also geothermal heat pumps which use the ground and water temperatures to control temperatures above the Earth’s surface. Finally, geothermal energy can be used in electricity generating power plants. These electricity generating power plants rely on the high temperatures from the core to generate electricity.

Questions about geothermal energy can be directed to IV Energy, as they are very knowledgeable about various renewable energy sources. They want to help you find the best jobs in the renewable energy industry.

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Ceramic Fuel Cells

Ceramic Fuel Cells

As there is a growing need for electricity, there is also growing research in the renewable energy field. One of the products that have been under research for a few years is the ceramic fuel cell, which has been researched and created in Australia. Even though it has been created in Australia, they are marketing this product more towards European countries, as their cost is too high in Australia. But what is the difference between a ceramic fuel cell and a regular fuel cell?

Ceramic fuel cells use a ceramic electrolyte substance that when heated creates energy. But in order to work properly, this ceramic electrolyte substance needs to be heated at a very high temperature. On average this temperature is between 500 and 1000 degrees Fahrenheit. This high heat has been a problem though, as it takes awhile to get up to that temperature and can break down if turned off and on.

However, if it remains on, and at the correct temperature, it has been known to be one of the more efficient and effective types of fuel cells. Additionally, if they are used constantly, this high heat can create steam and that steam can be used as another method to produce energy.

The solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) is one example of ceramic fuel cells. It uses the ceramic electrolytes or solid oxides to create energy. IV Energy is a great source of information when it comes to various renewable resources. If you are considering this type of renewable resource, you should contact IV Energy for their advice and expertise in renewable energy.

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IV Solar becomes the first recruitment company to obtain MCS accreditation

IV Solar becomes the first recruitment company to obtain MCS accreditation

Generating your own renewable electricity can reap the financial rewards of the Government’s Feed-In Tariffs. However, as viewers of the BBC’s Watchdog discovered in an eye-opening programme aired last month, this is only possible if both the installer and the manufacturer are accredited by schemes such as the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS).

The MCS is central to the renewable technologies market, which is why specialist recruitment company, IV Solar, is delighted to become the first recruitment company to receive MCS accreditation.

Dan Stephenson, Managing Director of IV Solar, says, “Working closely with market leaders in the UK solar industry has enabled us to understand this field of work and the jobs involved like no other recruitment company. Our knowledgeable consultants are dedicated to best practice and having MCS accreditation confirms our competency and commitment to provide a service that our clients and candidates can rely on.”

Without accreditation it has become difficult for companies to differentiate themselves from rogue traders. On 22nd September 2011 the BBC's Watchdog ran a feature on Solar Panels in response to the high volume of feedback on rogue companies. Viewers were advised only to consider companies with specific accreditation, found via the website www.microgenerationcertification.org

The MCS is an internationally recognised quality assurance scheme, allowing companies to demonstrate that they satisfy rigorous and tested standards by providing quality approved products, services and installation to the highest quality every time. Its link to the Government’s Feed-In Tariffs, which are payments made to ordinary energy users for the renewable electricity they generate, places installers, manufacturers and suppliers that carry the MCS Mark at a very competitive advantage.

Having met the certification involved, IV Solar has the capability and expertise to provide the highest quality installation teams and project managers to the solar industry; reinforcing its position as a preferred supplier. The company were recognised for their exceptional internal processes, placing them in the top 10% of all the companies that have been assessed for MCS accreditation.
For more information on IV Solar visit www.ivsolar.co.uk or contact a member of the consultant team on 0333 2005444

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Types of Hydrogen Fuel Cells

Types of Hydrogen Fuel Cells

Hydrogen is one of the simplest forms of elements. It’s one of the two basic elements that form water. Hydrogen itself isn’t a renewable energy source; however, with a little work, it can be converted into energy. A fuel cell takes the hydrogen and combines it with oxygen to create electricity, water and heat. An interesting comparison to fuel cells is that it’s similar to batteries. Both items create energy because of a chemical reaction from combining elements. Fuel cells are better, as they don’t lose their charge as batteries do, but they do need a constant source of fuel and oxygen to continue running. Unlike batteries, fuel cells will run as long as there is an energy source providing it power.

Because of this, fuel cell markets are constantly trying to put fuel cells into the market for people to buy and use. They are cleaner and better for the environment than fossil fuels, as the output is water and hater. There are various types of fuel cells, each one just a little bit different. The different types of fuel cells include:

Polymer exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC)
Solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC)
Alkaline fuel cell (AFC)
Motlen-carbonate fuel cell (MCFC)
Phosphoric-acid fuel cell (PAFC)
Direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC)

Polymer exchange membrane fuel cells is where the Department of Energy is focusing their research, as they feel it has the most potential in the transportation area. Solid oxide fuel cells are used in large-scale power plants that provide electricity to various towns and factories. Alkaline fuel cells are the oldest type of fuel cells, and the most expensive.

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