I Have A New Solar/Battery System – What Issues Should I Be Aware Of?
The behaviour of solar and battery systems is complex, and not always obvious.
Octopus Energy improves services for EV customers with smart tariffs and home chargers
Octopus Energy has announced a number of initiatives to support EV drivers, including a new 15p per kWh export tariff, and a community energy EV charging partnership with Co Charger. Octopus EV is partnering with Co Charger to “unlock the potential of community charging”, by making it easier for people with private home chargers to
UK installed solar capacity sees highest increase since 2017
According to the latest national statistics the UK has a total installed solar capacity of 15.5GW from July 2023. This is an increase of 6.8% (977MW) since July 2022, demonstrating the highest annual increase since August 2017, according to the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ). According to the national statistics there were
How battery energy storage can power us to net zero
The use of battery energy storage in power systems is increasing. But while approximately 192GW of solar and 75GW of wind were installed globally in 2022, only 16GW/35GWh (gigawatt hours) of new storage systems were deployed. To meet our Net Zero ambitions of 2050, annual additions of grid-scale battery energy storage globally must rise
Energy Storage Sector Gears Up For Explosive Growth
The International Energy Agency predicts that 440 GW of renewable energy will be added by the end of 2023, potentially leading to peak fossil fuel emissions by 2025. Energy storage is essential for balancing the variable nature of renewable sources like wind and solar, and the sector could add 387 GW of new capacity
What Grants and Incentives are Available for Solar Panels?
A round up of the grants and incentives currently available for solar panels.
Solar PV generation increased by 10% in 2022, says DESNZ
A Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) report has stated that solar photovoltaics (PV) increased its generation by 10% between 2021 and 2022. Solar PV generated 13.3TWh of electricity in 2022, an increase on the 12.1TWh generated in 2021. DESNZ stated that this increase was driven by longer average sunlight hours and
Domestic solar and storage would help replace four gas stations, says Cornwall Insight
New research by Cornwall Insight has found that domestic flexible electricity technologies such as solar photovoltaics (PV) and battery storage would negate the need for four additional gas-fired power stations. This also includes the use of flexibile electricity initiatives such as the use of time-of-use tarriffs and smart meters. Using this domestic technologies would
UK homes install ‘record number’ of solar panels and heat pumps
Head of industry standards body says more people are turning to renewable technology as energy costs grow British households are making more green energy upgrades than ever before after installing a record number of solar panels and heat pumps in the first half of the year, according to the industry’s official standards body. The
MCS express concern as Octopus drops accreditation requirement from Smart Export Guarantee
Concerns have been raised by renewables certification body MCS about the decision by Octopus Energy to accept solar installations on their Smart Export Guarantee tariffs without MCS accreditation. There is a skills shortage in the solar installations sector in the UK currently, with not enough MCS accredited installers to meet demand. Some electricians welcomed the