German firm sets its sights on the UK solar market

By Laura Elahi on February 14, 2011

Andreas Heinrichs of IBC SOLAR

A leading solar installation firm from Germany has set its sights on the UK market and opened a new office in Oxford.

IBC Solar, which is based in Bavaria, currently employs around 400 staff worldwide and has installed around 1.3GW of solar panels.

The company’s move to the UK has followed the introduction of the Feed-In Tariff in 2010. The current UK Feed-In Tariff for PV installations on new buildings is 36.1 pence, while 43.3 pence will be paid for installations on existing buildings.

Andreas Heinrichs, director of IBC SOLAR UK Ltd, said: “Despite the UK’s reputation for bad weather, solar irradiation, particularly in the south, is enough to make PV energy a credible way for the UK to reach its climate-protection goals.”

A further reason for the move could be related to reports suggesting the German government may cut solar incentives available through its Feed-In Tariff further, slowing down market growth.

Norbert Hahn, CEO of IBC SOLAR, said: “A reliable Feed-In Tariff is the first crucial step to nationwide photovoltaic coverage.

“Our ultimate goal is to encourage the use of PV energy in the UK and we will do this through building up a network of partners who enable green energy generation. Our decades of global experience put us in a great position to succeed in this.”

Earn over £1,000 per year via the Feed-in Tariff

Save up to £200 per year with a Solar PV (photovoltaic) installationDid you know that a Solar PV system can reduce your energy bills but also make you money by selling any unused energy back to the grid?

This not only helps you financially but also the environment by lowering your CO2 emissions by up to 1000kg p/a.

 

 

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About the Solar Feed-In Tariff

The Feed-In Tariff applies to Solar PV (electricity) systems

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About the Renewable Heat Incentive

The Renewable Heat Incentive applies to Solar Thermal (hot water) systems

 

Did you know?

Earn Money via the Feed-In TarrifThe Government's Feed-In Tariff was launched on April 1st 2010 to encourage homeowners to generate their own electricity - it is split into two methods of revenue.

The Generation Tariff earns you a fixed income for every kilowatt hour of electricity you generate. And, The Export Tariff earns you income for every kilowatt hour you generate and sell back to the grid.

An average 3/4 bedroom house fitted with 2.5kw Solar PV panels and normal electricity usage would earn over £850 p/a tax free!

Add this to an approximate £145 reduction in your electricity usage and you could benefit by over £1,000 per year.

Try our Solar PV Feed-In Tariff Calculator to assess your potential payback.

 
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