Solar Panels news from 2024
30 stories, newest first
- November 2024
Sunsynk announces the ALL-In One XLS all-in-one hybrid inverter and battery
Sunsynk has announced the ALL-In One XLS, a 6 kW hybrid inverter with a built-in 5.3 kWh lithium phosphate battery, twin MPPT, parallel capability and both AC and DC coupling.
Solis launches 8-15kW low-voltage three-phase hybrid inverter
Solis has launched the S6-EH3P(8-15)K02-NV-YD-L, a low-voltage three-phase hybrid inverter for homes and small commercial sites, quoting charge and discharge efficiencies above 94 per cent.
Residential firmware bundle 4.22.39 released
SolarEdge has published residential firmware bundle 4.22.39 for its UK home inverters, adding per-phase imbalance reporting, G100 monitoring features and country table updates.
- October 2024
MCS published an update on solar PV module fire classifications
MCS has set out how a change to a European standard in September 2023 stopped fire test laboratories issuing fire classifications for solar PV modules, blocking roof-integrated products from Building Regulations compliance and MCS certification.
Solis expands smart charge and discharge functionality to 14 European countries
Ginlong (Solis) Technologies has extended smart battery charge and discharge control, using day-ahead electricity prices, to customers in 14 European countries including the United Kingdom.
- September 2024
Sungrow exhibits at Solar & Storage Live UK 2024 with first UK appearances of several products
Sungrow is exhibiting at Solar & Storage Live UK 2024 at the NEC Birmingham, giving UK first appearances to its micro-inverter family, iHomeManager, PowerTitan 2.0 and PowerStack 200CS.
- August 2024
Four new solar prior approval application types launched on Planning Portal
Planning Portal has added four solar prior approval application types to its online service, covering domestic and non-domestic solar equipment and solar canopies, with eligibility rules built into each form.
Aviva to insure Sunsave Plus solar and battery systems under bespoke policy
Sunsave has announced that Aviva will insure its Sunsave Plus solar and battery systems under a bespoke policy brokered by Howden, included in its 20-year guarantee.
- July 2024
Government announces 'rooftop revolution' for solar
The government announced a "rooftop revolution" in July 2024 to encourage builders and homeowners to install solar, alongside a target of 45 to 47 gigawatts of solar by 2030.
New MCS Scheme to come into effect in summer 2024
MCS has said its redeveloped certification scheme will come into effect in summer 2024, resetting the consumer protections attached to certified small-scale renewable installations in UK homes.
Solar Together West Yorkshire opens to the county
Solar Together West Yorkshire ran as a collective buying scheme from July 2024 to May 2025, arranging 645 solar and battery installations at prices quoted as up to 42% below the usual market rate.
- June 2024
SolarEdge unveiled the NextGen 3PH Solution at Intersolar 2024
SolarEdge has unveiled a next-generation three-phase solar inverter and dedicated home battery for the European residential market, with availability expected in the second half of 2025.
UPP PV module warranty became effective
Maxeon has published a utility-scale PV module warranty with an effective date of June 1, 2024, covering Performance 6 and Performance 7 modules under terms of 12/30 and 15/30 years.
- May 2024
Solar Energy Scotland welcomes removal of planning permission requirement for Scottish rooftop solar
Solar Energy Scotland has welcomed the removal of the need for planning permission for rooftop solar in Scotland, saying the change cuts red tape and will speed up deployment.
Warranty conditions for RI-ENERGYFLOW-MIDI inverters issued
Rayleigh Instruments has published warranty conditions for its RI-ENERGYFLOW-MIDI inverters, giving a five year repair or replace term where the unit was installed by an MCS certified installer.
Changes to Permitted Development Rights for solar expected to come into effect in Scotland
Changes to permitted development rights for solar in Scotland, expected to take effect on Friday 24 May, remove the 50kW ceiling on rooftop installations and relax rules in conservation areas.
PDR changes intended to come into force
Scottish Ministers have laid a statutory instrument changing permitted development rights for solar panels, heat pumps, windows and electricity network infrastructure, intended to come into force on 24 May 2024.
New permitted development classes introduced for domestic solar, wind and windows in Scotland
Scotland has replaced its permitted development class for domestic wind turbines and added new classes covering solar panels, solar thermal and window alterations, in force from 24 May 2024.
Scottish permitted development rights for rooftop solar come into force
Rooftop solar panels in Scotland no longer need planning permission after the Scottish Government's permitted development overhaul came into force on 24 May 2024, removing the previous 50kW limit.
Hive Solar Saver offer launched
Hive made its Solar Saver offer available from 22 May 2024 to customers accepting a quote for a Hive solar or battery installation, giving a 25% discount on imported electricity unit rates for 12 months.
- April 2024
New extended warranty terms take effect for qualifying purchases
Luxpower has confirmed that extended warranty terms apply to end customers who buy and install its inverters together with its own brand batteries from 23 April 2024 onwards.
SunPower Performance 7 became available in EMEA and APAC
Maxeon has launched its SunPower Performance 7 solar panels for homes and businesses in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia and the Pacific, with a 30-year warranty and Cradle to Cradle Bronze certification.
OVO launches 0% APR solar financing option
OVO has launched a 0% APR solar financing option giving households 36 months interest-free to spread the cost of a solar panel installation, subject to a £500 deposit.
HHIC responds to DLUHC consultation on permitted development rights changes
The Heating and Hotwater Industry Council has told a government consultation that the one metre boundary rule and the 0.6 cubic metre size limit for air source heat pumps should not be removed without safeguards.
- March 2024
Statutory instrument on solar Permitted Development Rights laid before Scottish parliament
The Scottish Government laid a statutory instrument before parliament on 28 March 2024 to simplify permitted development rules for solar, with changes expected to take effect on 24 May.
Order made extending Scottish permitted development rights for renewables, windows and electricity network infrastructure
The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (Scotland) Amendment Order 2024 extends permitted development rights for domestic and non-domestic renewables, window replacement and electricity network infrastructure.
- February 2024
Warranty document issued for RI-ENERGYFLOW inverters
Rayleigh Instruments has published warranty conditions for its RI-ENERGYFLOW-MINI and 3P series inverters, offering a 10 year repair or replace term to end users from the date of purchase.
EDF acquires solar panel and battery installer Contact Solar
EDF has acquired Chorley-based solar panel and battery installer Contact Solar, its second installer purchase in a year, as it builds towards combined solar, battery, heat pump and EV offers.
YouGov poll released showing 79% of MPs back mandatory solar panels for new-build homes
A YouGov poll of 107 MPs, commissioned by the MCS Foundation, found 79 per cent support making solar panels mandatory on all new-build homes from 2025, with 61 per cent backing mandatory battery storage.
- January 2024
ivie launches Future of Energy series with Solar 101 guide
ivie has launched a Future of Energy series of home energy guides, beginning with a free Solar 101 download and followed by a second guide on battery storage.