December 25, 2011

Solar Energy Everywhere

Filed under: Solar PV — Tags: — admin @ 11:33 am

It’s always good to hear that students are finding a way to help find solutions for problems in third world countries.  These students are all from Imperial College Business School who have a plan so that retailers in the third world will be able to generate an income by providing a solar mobile phone charging service to those people who live in remote areas.

The students, who won a £10,000 prize for their plan, are putting the money towards further development of the prototype of the phone charger which will then move forward to the manufacturing stage.

It is expected that several mobile phones will be able to be charged at the same time on a sunny day whilst they will all function continuously.  There is a full business plan in place and the winning team expect the charger to be manufactured in China where they already have business partners.

Whether or not it is quite as straightforward as it appears, only the students and their mentors will know; however if there has been a problem which will be resolved by this charger – good luck to them.

Solar energy is useful in many situations and it is only a few short years since small solar lights became available.   These are popular in many gardens where it isn’t convenient or safe to have power cables trailing round.  Many water features are also solar powered and are becoming more increasing found in reception areas of large companies and hotels.

The installation of solar panels to produce energy is gradually becoming more prevalent; however the cost is still out of the reach of many families and businesses.  Obviously, as the demand increases, the cost will come down.  There are smallish grants available; however as a percentage of the overall installation costs it isn’t significant in the majority of cases.  The additional problem regarding solar panels is, although they produce energy in excess of normal usage and which can be sold back to the energy provider, there is still the heating of the property, which would perhaps be gas or oil which would need to be considered.  Many business users who are considering about the installation of solar panels will already be discussing the probability of having a biomass boiler installed which will complement the electricity generated by the solar panels.

Whilst a biomass boiler is obviously, a great step forward, for smaller companies they are a complete non-starter at this time.  The cost of the boiler itself is a considerable investment and in addition to the boiler there will need to be storage facilities for the fuel – pellets, which take quite a large amount of space.  The running costs for the boiler will be considerably lower than for a conventional boiler and these alternative boilers need to have a more realistic price point.   At that time there will be considerably more interest from the smaller business owner and the general public alike.

April 27, 2011

Free Electricity For Businesses , Too Good To Be True ?

Filed under: Renewable Energy,Solar PV — Tags: , — admin @ 9:17 am

A Source of Free, Green, Renewable Energy

Many businesses are feeling the strain of both cuts in turnover and the very sharp increases in electricity and gas costs. Bluemark Consultants have brought together a portfolio of funding partners that enables organisations that do not wish to expend their own capital, to invest in Renewable Energy sources, to gain the benefit of a source of free green electricity.

Bluemark Consultants have helped a number of organisations obtain a high quality, investment grade Solar PV system without any costs to the end user at all. We have been able to achieve this by forming partnerships with funding groups looking to invest in Renewable Energy in the UK.

The electricity that is generated by the system is yours to use within your organisation and it is completely free of charge. These systems will generate between 8,000 and 50,000 kWhs of green electricity a year (dependent of the roof or land space available for the project).

A solar PV array

How the Systems are Funded

The Clean Energy Cash back Scheme (Feed in Tariff) was introduced in April 2010, to encourage investment in renewable energy, helping the Government to meet its targets on reducing CO2 emissions. The funding groups who finance the purchase, installation and maintenance of your Solar PV system will receive a payment through the Clean Energy Cash back Scheme. These payments will pay for the system and offer them a return on investment. It’s a win-win situation, your organisation gets a source of free green electricity, which will vastly reduce your electricity costs, and they get a secure investment backed by the UK government.

 

Why Us ?

Bluemark Consultants and our funding partners are virtually the only people currently offering a proposition like this. With over a decade of experience in helping all sizes of both public and private sector organisations reduce their energy bills; we have the expertise and knowledge to help you get the most from this unique offer.

Future Electricity Prices

UK electricity prices are due to increase substantially over the coming decade. A lack of foresight by successive governments, coupled with a lack of investment by energy companies has created a situation where energy security is a real cause for concern for those who are dependent on electricity.

A source of free, sustainable energy will not only protect your organisations from these energy cost increases but also shows your commitment to Co2 reduction.

Agreement principles

It’s a very straightforward proposition, you allow the investment group to utilise your empty roof space or land, and if it is viable we can arrange a Solar PV system that will generate a percentage of your electricity. There are no costs whatsoever to you, you will never receive a bill or invoice from us or anyone else. The energy generated by the system is yours free of charge and we will take care of everything including any planning permission that may be required.

To learn more about the benefits of a free solar PV system or to request a free site survey please call us on 01202 682127.



April 14, 2011

Funding Available For Sustainable Energy Projects

Filed under: Business Electricity,Energy Efficiency,Renewable Energy,Solar PV — Tags: , , — admin @ 8:31 am

Investor Funded Systems.

Many organisations are feeling the strain of both cuts in funding and the very sharp increases in electricity and gas costs.Bluemark Consultants have brought together a portfolio of funding partners that enables organisations that do not have the funds available, to benifit from a Renewable Energy source.

We’ve already helped a number of organisations…

obtain a high quality, investment grade Solar PV system without any costs to them at all. We have been able to achieve this by forming partnerships with funding groups looking to invest in Renewable Energy in the UK.

Future Electricity Prices

UK electricity prices are due to increase substantially over the coming decade. A lack of foresight by successive governments, coupled with a lack of investment by energy companies has created a situation where energy security is a real cause for concern for those who are dependent on electricity.

Solar system installed

Funding is available to qualifying businesses and organisations

A source of free, sustainable energy will not only protect your organisations from these energy cost increases but also shows your commitment to Co2 reduction.

 


 


 


April 10, 2011

Sun Powers Germany’s Energy Needs

Filed under: Renewable Energy,Solar PV — Tags: , — admin @ 8:54 am

The crisis at Japan’s Fukushima nuclear plant has put renewed focus on getting our energy from alternative sources.

The emergency has led Germany to speed up plans to completely phase out nuclear power. The country is the world leader in solar power. 

courtesy of Sky news

March 31, 2011

Make hay while the sun shines! | Free Solar PV system for qualifying businesses!

Filed under: Business Electricity,Energy Efficiency,Solar PV — Tags: , — admin @ 10:03 am

Many people are asking us about Solar PV and the benefits of investing in a system for their business.

The Clean Energy Cash back Scheme (Feed in Tariff) was introduced in April 2010, to encourage people to adopt renewable energy, helping the Government to meet its targets on reducing CO2 emissions.

Renewable energy

The introduction of the “Feed in Tariff” has made solar energy not only a good source of sustainable energy; it has also made it profitable for business to invest. The vast majority of self funded Solar PV systems that we have installed, have returned over a 10% return on investment in year one alone. With the “Feed in Tariff” being RPI linked and business electricity prices rising fast, the % return increases year on year. Most people who invest in a solar PV system see a return on capital employed of 450-470% over the 25 year “Feed in Tariff” term.

We have also had a number of SME businesses ask us for help in financing a Solar PV system. We have a number of options to offer, including lease agreements as well as traditional finance packages. We also have a very unique offering to SME businesses in the south of England that prefer not to invest their own capital or are struggling to raise capital to finance a system.

Bluemark Consultants and our funding and installation partners will supply and install a high quality, investment grade Solar PV system on your commercial premises.  And we will do it completely free of charge. The electricity that is generated is yours to use within your business and it is completely free of charge. Our Solar PV systems will generate between 8,000 – 50,000 kWh’s per year, dependent on your available roof or land space. Many of our customers have made savings of up to 70% on their electricity bills!

Business electricity prices are increasing fast and the “Feed in Tariff” is due to be reviewed in March 2012, so delaying may cost your business. Act now and make hay while the sun shines!

Also if your roof isn’t ideal for an array of solar panels, you might still be able to benefit from free electricity if you have a little un-shaded land that can be turned over to the project. We’ll be pleased to analyze your site, and advise on the best positioning for your installation.

March 29, 2011

UK Losing in renewable energy race

Filed under: Business Electricity,Energy News,Solar PV — Tags: , , — admin @ 5:48 pm

The UK has lost out on foreign investment worth billions of pounds because the Government has failed to come up with a clear clean energy policy, new research suggests.

The Pew Charitable Trust found investors in green energy have taken their money elsewhere.China, Germany, Italy and India now lead the way in attracting finance because of national policies that support renewable energy and carbon reduction targets.According to the Trust, the UK has seen the biggest decline in clean energy investment in the G20.

Solar turbine on a sunny day

Last year the UK was the fifth most successful country in attracting private money – now, it is the 13th. Meanwhile, China has underlined its position as the world’s leading power in clean energy by attracting a record $54.4bn (£34bn).
Globally, clean energy investment has seen significant growth by almost a third.

Wind power is still the most attractive technology.The findings come as the crisis at the Fukushima plant in Japan raises questions over the future of nuclear power in the UK.A total of 19 nuclear reactors currently generate around 18% of Britain’s electricity.But the Government has given the go-ahead for eight new plants, which it says are needed to guarantee energy security in the future.It has also launched a consultation into what to do with tonnes of plutonium stockpiled in Cumbria.

According to a separate report, this used fuel could be recycled to generate more power and offset the costs of cleaning up waste from the UK’s ageing nuclear plants.Author and former government advisor Sir David King, from the Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment, told Sky News: “If we build a plant to convert it into fuel, we would save the British tax payer many billions of pounds and it would also stimulate the UK economy.”But Greenpeace believe the plan would ultimately create more nuclear waste.Its chief scientist, Dr Doug Parr, points to a recent study by McKinsey and Imperial College.”It shows it’s completely possible for more than 80% of Europe’s power to come from clean renewable sources,” he said.”It simply isn’t necessary to take on the risks inherent with using plutonium.”

That debate will continue but the pressing question for the Government now is, how many clean technology jobs have been lost in the UK through its failure to attract investment into the industry?

Source Sky News