Lightsource Renewable Energy has this week written to Energy and Climate Change Secretary Amber Rudd to request government ministers refrain from defending controversial subsidy cuts by “inaccurately” citing the company’s plans to develop “subsidy-free” solar projects. Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) Ministers have recently highlighted Lightsource’s plans to build new solar projects without subsidy this year as evidence the industry can continue to prosper in the wake of steep subsidy cuts. Lightsource chief executive Nick Boyle says he is writing to “clarify our position on subsidy-free solar that several Members of Government have recently referenced inaccurately”. He acknowledges the company has said it is “close to building subsidy-free solar in the UK”, but argues it should be noted the statement “currently only applies to projects that are directly connected to the company that uses the generated electricity through a ‘private wire connection'”. “This is a crucial distinction, because the economics and rationale for these types of solar PV projects are very different from projects that feed directly into the national electricity grid and provide green electricity to the wider British public.
Business Green 24th March 2016 read more »
Solar Portal 24th March 2016 read more »
The sun’s solar rays are helping to power a Hartlepool primary school and save it lots of money after winning a national competition. Supporters got together to celebrate West Park Primary School, in Coniscliffe Road, becoming the town’s first official solar school. It has had 100 panels worth £40,000 installed on the roof after the school won the most public backing in the competition run by M&S Energy.
Hartlepool Mail 24th March 2016 read more »