As public demand for sustainable transport solutions continues to rise worldwide, electric vehicles (EVs) are increasingly being hailed as some of the most innovative and environmentally responsible forms of personal transportation available today. Their popularity is soaring, with a remarkable surge in global sales reaching 10 million in 2022. Yet, despite this upward trend, numerous
UK motorists outline the pros and cons in making the move to an electric vehicle From the bottom of Max Berman’s garden in High Wycombe, he can see the M40 motorway, with cars shooting between London and Birmingham up one of England’s great asphalt veins. On some days, Berman says, he can see the
Data released by the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) yesterday (13 December) has confirmed that 2023 was the UK’s “best ever” year for renewable energy and heating installations. With a total of 220,500 MCS certified installations having been registered across 2023 so far, the UK beat its 2022 figures by the end of September. Solar PV
The UK government has published its Future Homes and Buildings Standards consultation emphasising that all new homes must be “net zero ready” from 2025. The consultation, which has been published by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, also revealed that heat pumps must be a standard within all new homes, something that could
Solar electricity campaigners are celebrating success in their struggle to remove VAT from domestic batteries retrofitted to homes already benefitting from PV panels. Victory in the tax battle coincides today with standards body the MCS confirming 2023 has again smashed records for solar PV installations. Up to early December, the Microgeneration Certification Scheme logged 183,022 certified
In recent years, the business world has witnessed a significant shift towards sustainable energy solutions, with solar power leading the charge. This surge in solar panel investments isn't just a trend but a strategic response to the evolving energy landscape. Companies across various sectors are increasingly turning to solar energy, not only to reduce
You already know that solar panels turn sunlight into electricity. But how? It almost seems like magic. Well, it’s magical, but while it's not an illusion, the science behind it—the photovoltaic effect—is fascinating. Considering the rising costs of heating as well as the effects of climate change, it’s a good time to invest in solar panels for
A couple who slept on their roof for 23 days to raise money for solar panels for homes on their street say they are now extending their project. Dan Edelstyn and Hilary Powell raised £113,000 last year after they braced rain, hail and snow by sleeping on the roof of their home in Lymouth
The UK government has exempted retrofitted battery energy storage systems (BESS) from its 20% VAT, from 1 February 2024. From the Spring Statement in 2022, energy saving domestic equipment such as heat pumps and roof-mounted solar have been exempt from the VAT. BESS too were exempt, but only when installed alongside other energy-saving materials such
When the grid goes down, most solar systems that lack a battery will also shut down. But with batteries, a home can disconnect from the grid. Each day, the sun powers the home and charges up the batteries, which provide power through the night. Our team atBerkeleyLab explored what it would take for homes and