Solar Panels news, page 3
- July 2024
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.
- December 2023
New permitted development rights for solar panels take effect in England
Amended permitted development rights for solar panels in England took effect on 21 December 2023, widening what can be installed without full planning permission.
- November 2023
Contact Solar Black Friday solar panel sale ends
Contact Solar's Black Friday solar panel promotion, offering up to £1,000 off solar PV systems and other discounts, closed on 30 November 2023 after running through the month.
Government announces amendments to permitted development rights for solar panels
Amendments to permitted development rights announced on 30 November 2023 widen where solar panels can be installed in England without full planning permission, including domestic flat roofs and larger commercial arrays.
New permitted development rights announced for rooftop solar
The government has announced changes to permitted development rights so that more homes and businesses can install rooftop solar panels without planning permission, including flat roofs and industrial sites.
Changes to solar permitted development rights introduced
The government changed solar permitted development rights in November 2023, following a February 2023 consultation, as part of a wider package on adapting historic homes for energy efficiency.
- October 2023
Good Energy launches Solar Savings smart export tariff
Good Energy has launched Solar Savings, a smart export tariff paying 15p per kWh and 20p per kWh for Wessex ECOEnergy solar customers, up from a 10p pilot rate.
- September 2023
ECO4 innovation measure 022 approved
Ofgem approved UKSOL monocrystalline solar panels with built-in Tigo optimisers as ECO4 innovation measure 022 on 26 September 2023, with a 45% uplift and EDF Energy as awarded supplier.
Sunsynk announces Hybrid Fusion Inverter range
Sunsynk has announced its Hybrid Fusion Inverter range, an all in one unit combining a hybrid inverter with an integrated LiFePO4 battery, in sizes from 2.5 kW to 30 kW.
MCS responds to SEG confusion and sets out its future role
MCS has clarified that regulated Smart Export Guarantee tariffs require an MCS certified installation, while non-regulated export tariffs remain at energy companies' discretion, and has set out planned scheme changes.