Presentations – Commercial Solar PV, Hastings

As if planned, the rain cleared and the sun came out as local businesses met for a solar PV breakfast in St. Leonards-on-Sea. Expert Chris Bratherton, from Ecolution Renewables, opened the presentations discussing panel types and efficiencies, installation and maintenance requirements, the Feed-in-Tariff and typical payback periods.

Sam Batchelor, a Senior Planner at Hastings Borough Council, provided an update on planning regulations regarding renewable technologies. Permitted Development Regulations mean that many solar installations do not require planning permission although factors such as location, building type and system size can affect the decision. Sam stressed that contacting your council from the offset can help prevent delays or complications further down the line.

Nigel Mason, CEO of the Raystede Centre, shared the reasons why the animal welfare charity installed a 50 kWp solar PV system in February 2012. A £105,000 investment, they have already received £49,000 in Feed-in-Tariff payments. Nigel said the charity is now hoping to be able to install a biomass boiler.

Following the presentations delegates introduced themselves and shared their interest in the morning’s topic. A range of organisations attended including manufacturers, surveyors, councils, motor showrooms, accountants and financial firms.

Download the presentations.

The Sustainable Business Network is delivering the events programme of the Green Growth Platform, a 5 year programme led by the University of Brighton offering a range of free and subsidised services to both businesses in the environmental sector and those looking to improve their environmental performance.

The next breakfast events are in Brighton on the 27th November, focussing on sustainable buildings, and Lewes on the 29th January featuring a case study from Glyndbourne.