25/8/10 - A recent Poll by YouGen shows that 84% of people would trust locally based, specialist Solar Electric suppliers more than national retailers such as Tesco and M&S.

'Retrofitting existing housing to make it more energy efficient isn't a pile it high, sell it cheap business. Every house is different as is the way people live in them. These things have to be taken into consideration and consumers need expert advice on the best solution for their circumstances,' comments YouGen.

YouGen goes onto comment that the reputation of local companies depends on word of them delivering good service and word soon gets out if they don't. The Nationals are much more likely to sub-contract the work losing the level of accountability for customers.

At The Green Electrician we do all of our own isntallations and believe in excellent service and customer satisfaction, as a result we are now one of the leading solar PV companies in the North West and Midlands.

17/8/10 - Farmers are looking to Solar PV as their next cash crop as many farms and estates are forced to diversify away from traditional crops inorder to improve revenues.

Solar PV installations are set to increase 1500% in 2010 as a direct result of the feed-in tariffs. Farmers could be one of the largest sectors to benefit from these tariffs. The average barn could generate up to £20,000 /year according to a recent article by the Daily Telegraph (see press coverage). We are receiving many enquiries from farmers with large barns such as chicken sheds as well as those wanting to mount ground systems in paddocks.

17/8/10 - Companies offering solar PV for free has grabbed the headlines recently which has left customers wondering if they should pay themselves or take advantage of these tempting offers. Overall, we believe the concept is sound, particularly for schools and community buildings.

For domestic properties, why let someone else make money from your roof when you can reap the benefits yourself? The media coverage received for these ideas has increased people's understanding of the feed-in tariff and the investment opportunities it provides, this in turn has made 'solar for free' less attractive for domestic properties.

The offers of free solar panels are specific in location, orientation and size of system, but most importantly a customer would be giving away 8-10% feed-in tariff returns to a third party. In our opinion, if you have capital available, you should take full advantage of the feed-in tariff and free electricity and grab the investment for yourself. This is a risk free investment that will run for 25 years, linked to RPI and tax free for domestic properties. It is widely regarded as one of the most secure and reliable investments currently available (see Sunday Times).

Where capital in unavilable, low interest loans and mortgage advances could cover the initial cost of the installation (£10-12,000). We are hoping that the Government will review its green banking plans in the near future.

8/7/10 - Installation Director, Paul Taylor, is using German expertise to keep The Green Electrician at the forefront of new photovoltaic technology. At the end of June, Paul attended a training session for Sonnen_System, manufacturers of dual-axis tracking systems, developed in cooperation with photovoltaic specialists, SMA Solar Technology.

"The education content included detailed technical characteristics of the Sonnen_system and maintenance requirements. The course included pratical training and complete assembly of Sonnen_system's 3_30, 3_40 and 3_60 Trackers. It was a fascinating course and a truly impressive system. 

"The advantage of a tracking systems is that it moves on a dual axis, tracking the sun throughout the day. This gives it a 25-35% increase efficiency over fix mounted photovoltaic systems. With a permanent performance monitoring system through SMA, this system is ideal for solar fields and commercial ground mounted systems in the UK."

30/6/10 - This month we have completed the UK's largest PV tracker system in Norfolk, a 7.92kWP, 44 panel Deger Tracker Syster at EcoTech Environmental Education Centre in Swaffham. This state of the art photovoltaic tracker system has Sharp 180W solar panels that tilt towards the sun, increasing the efficiency of the system by 25-35% above a standard system. PV Installation Director, Paul Taylor said: "This project was fascinating to work on particularly as we are breaking new ground in the UK.  The tracker system sits beneath an imposing megawatt turbine and will generate enough energy to power the EcoTech Centre.  It is the largest of its kind in the UK and certainly has the wow factor."

28/5/10 - A Berkshire customer has opted for Kyocera panels for his house, choosing the dark frame and darker colour of these panels to blend into his traditional house design and construction. The results were a great success. "Customers with darker slate rooves can choose a panel such as Kyocera that blends into the roof colour," explains The Green Electrician installation director, Paul Taylor.

"Thank you, and if you have any potential customers in our area who would like to see a system up and running, we would be pleased to oblige." KO, Berkshire

28/5/10 - The Green Electrician is currently working on a 7KW solar PV tracker system for charity, EcoTech at its Centre in Swaffham, Norfolk. The Ecotech Centre offers environmental education programmes, exhibitions, events and is a centre of sustainability in the region.

Ground works are currently underway for this flagship installation.  This will be one of the first photovoltaic tracker systems to be installed in the UK and will provide electricity alongside the UK's first multi mega-watt wind turbine. For further inforamtion contact info@thegreenelectrician.co.uk or visit Ecotech.org.uk.

The Green Electrician has been attending renewable fairs in the Midlands and the Northwest.  If you would like us to attend your renewable fair, please let us know the details.  We will be attending the Cheshire Show 22/23 June 2010.

The following picture was taken at the Shipston Renewable Technology Showcase in May.

13/4/10 - The Green Electrician received a thorough Microgeneration Certification Scheme assessment and review today, with the MCS representative looking at our PV installations, sales and policy and procedures.  Whilst we await the formal report, the asessor commended us on our attention to detail in several areas and said: "we are just the kind of installers that we want."

Thanks to our team for ensuring our continued high standard in all the work that we do.