IES secured the contract to install 20.16kW solar panels on the 30 year old building as part of Nottingham City Council’s Commercial PV Framework. Using the steam produced when domestic and commercial waste is burnt at the Eastcroft incinerator, Enviroenergy generates and supplies electricity and hot water to properties across the city, including the Victoria Centre and Lace Market shopping precincts.

IES completed the bespoke installation of Sungrid SG-240P6 panels on 30 degree angled frames to maximise output, whilst maintaining the structural and aesthetic integrity of the building and ahead of the Government’s extension to the Feed in Tariff (FiT) deadline of March 3^rd 2012.

Peter Searancke, managing director, Intelligent Energy Solutions commented: “The Enviroenergy installation presented some physical challenges for the team; working at significant height, wind speed and weather conditions but the installation was completed on time and to budget. Sungrid was chosen because they produce high quality, high efficiency solar panels that deliver a great value proposition. The design of these panels enables the manufacturer to offer leading material and performance warranties, which is critical for an installation like this.”

Councillor Alan Clark, Nottingham City Council’s Portfolio Holder for Energy, said: “The installation at the London Road heat station is yet another example of how the City Council and its partners are delivering against its manifesto pledges and energy strategy.

“This scheme complements the other PV projects installed at Walter Halls and Dovecote Primary Schools and the current installations at Ambleside Primary School and the Tennis Centre. Together all of these systems will generate 279kWp of electricity which is enough to meet the demands of 65 homes per year or illuminate 8000 35w light bulbs.”

Andrew Estrop, Manager, Enviroenergy added, “The London Road Heat Station was ideally suited for the installation of a sizable PV array. We worked closely with IES to develop and design a system which will benefit the City of Nottingham for many years to come.”

IES is also supplying and installing a multiple heat pump system at the Al-Farqan community centre in Leicester. This installation is helping the centre to achieve and exceed a 13% energy production from renewable sources whilst reducing their energy bills and CO2 emissions.

Flotec Industrial Ltd, a leading supplier of hydraulics and pneumatic components based in Loughborough, approached IES to install a 20kW solar panel system ahead of the December 12^th reduction to the Government’s Feed in Tariff (FiT). With the deadline resulting in a massive surge in orders and consequently a record breaking workload for the time of year, IES’ installation team successfully managed to complete the project in just one week and Flotec is now able to benefit from a return on investment of up to 13% per annum.

Ed Gurney, sales manager at IES said: “The FiT system was designed to encourage and raise awareness of the benefits of renewable energy. As the reduction deadline loomed, both homeowners and businesses wanted to secure premium prices for electricity generated, which resulted in a hugely busy period for IES.

“The Flotec installation was one of the larger systems we completed during the pre-deadline period, comprising 90 panels which will generate approximately 16, 130 kWH of electricity.”

Judith Bullers, finance director at Flotec added: “Flotec takes great pride in its environmental responsibility and wanted to work with a local supplier so we could invest in our own region whilst at the same time be reassured of a quality service, both in terms of pre-installation and after-care. We found IES to be knowledgeable, professional and comprehensive in their explanation of our options and the outcomes we could expect from our investment.”

Smart Renewables Ltd joined the IES group in January and will operate from Bolton, Lancashire, serving the town as well as Bury, Wigan, Preston and Blackburn. Local entrepreneur, Ken Brown will manage the franchise, which will offer the full range of IES’ renewable energy solutions including solar photovoltaic panels, solar thermal collectors, air and ground source heat pumps and rainwater harvesting systems.

“I am from a farming background so have always taken an interest in the environment,” explains Ken. “The renewable energy sector has rapidly developed over the last few years, and with it being recognised that renewables supply close to 20% of global electricity*,  I see opportunities there to contribute towards the stability of our fragile environment in a meaningful way.

“IES is a well-established company with a good business model and sound management structure. Its ethos of adopting an advisory, educational role is what sets the business apart and what appealed to me when looking at franchise options. In addition, the team was realistic about their expectations and instilled us with confidence in their expertise and technical knowledge.” Ken concluded.

During its first year of trading, Smart Renewables Ltd will work closely with IES’ head office in Hamilton, Leicester to develop the brand and establish a strong presence in the North West, ensuring local people and businesses benefit from the many incentives offered by the Government and Department of Energy & Climate Change (DECC).  

Peter Searancke, managing director and founder of IES said: “It has always been part of the long term business development plan to expand geographically via a franchise scheme. As renewable energy becomes more prevalent, we want to be able to offer enthusiastic professionals the opportunity to enter the sector, secure in the knowledge they will have expert back-up.

“Ken is committed, reliable and passionate about a greener, cost-effective future - exactly the right profile for a franchisee. We look forward to helping him make a success of the business.”

IES prides itself on offering bespoke solutions to clients’ requirements, maximising the expertise of its in-house design and installation teams. The company was rewarded for its efforts with the national Energy Management Installer of the Year award at the Renewables Roadshow.

Featuring a number of sweeping, crescent shaped, copper roofs, the unusual design of the property meant a conventional solar photovoltaic system would not perform effectively, as it would require large sets of panels to face the same direction. Additionally, the property is in a Conservation Area, meaning the panels could not be visible from the road.

Embracing the challenge, IES developed an innovative design to maximise electricity generation whilst taking advantage of the roof structure by installing 37 Sungrid 260W panels on a specially constructed, weather proof framework. The system’s output was further enhanced by using SolarEdge voltage modulation devices, whereby data from each panel is compiled in a web-monitoring tool which allows the client to examine performance and detect any faults, consequently reducing maintenance costs and increasing output. Additionally, the web tool links directly to a smart phone application, so the system’s progress can also be monitored remotely.

Peter Searancke, managing director, IES said: “The Lansdowne Road project was definitely one of the most complex the team encountered during the pre-FiT deadline period, and indeed one of the most unusual to date. We always strive to be innovative in our work, ensuring clients receive the best possible solutions for their requirements, and this project serves of an excellent example of how we were able to integrate cutting edge renewable technology into a modern living environment.”

Gavin Stark, who owns the property added: “IES’ in-depth product knowledge and expertise proved invaluable during the installation of my bespoke PV system. The team embraced the many complex requirements and the property now benefits from reduced energy costs and a system that blends perfectly with the aesthetics of the building.”

The DECC (Department of Energy and Climate Change) has announced an extension to the FiT deadline up until 3^rd March 2012 and IES is encouraging all those thinking about investing in a solar panel system to contact the sales hotline on 0800 779 7710.

Renewable Energy Franchise

"Customers and potential customers need to be aware of the continuing uncertainty over the rates that will apply after 1 April to installations completed between 12 December and 1 April (NB they will receive 43p in any case until 1 April):

• If the Government wins on appeal, we are where we were before legal action began, ie the Government will consider all responses to its consultation proposals, including the proposal that a domestic system (up to 4 kWh) can expect to earn 21p from 1st April 2012.
• If the Government does not win on appeal, then the 43p tariff remains in place for all registered installations until the Parliamentary process has concluded (expected to be 1st April 2012, possibly earlier).

It is not yet clear if the Government will be granted leave to appeal, and if so what date the appeal would be heard."

It would appear that there is a reasonable chance that installations up to end of end March will be eligible for the higher FIT rate.

Intelligent Energy Solutions is a leading UK provider of solar panels and heat pumps.

The solar panels will generate around 8,000 kWH of electricity, which could save up to £1000 a year for the school. The new ‘green’ feature is something of a talking point and will help educate pupils about energy efficiency. By linking energy related issues directly to the curriculum, the school is educating future generations about the consequences their actions can have on the environment.

The installation at Walter Halls is part of a Nottingham City Council project to install solar panels on buildings across the city on council buildings, including schools, leisure centres and offices. Intelligent Energy Solutions secured the job to install the panels after it was accepted onto the Council’s Commercial PV Framework.

Peter Searancke, managing director, Intelligent Energy Solutions commented: “The installation at Walter Halls is our first through the Council’s new Framework and came at a very busy period for the company. We were up against a tight deadline but it has been an enjoyable project at a school that is committed to educating its pupils about the benefits of Solar PV and energy saving.”

Councillor Alan Clark, Nottingham City Council’s Portfolio Holder for Energy, said: “Installing solar panels on commercial buildings is the latest example of the city wide approach to carbon reduction in Nottingham. This project follows the successful installation of solar panels on council houses and will further secure our position as the most energy self-sufficient city in the UK. We are assessing the impact of the proposed changes to FiTs and hope that we can continue this project in the New Year.”

Pete Strauss, headteacher, Walter Halls Primary & Early Years School added: “We’re delighted with the work that has been done at the school. Intelligent Energy Solutions has been diligent in their job and very safety-conscious with the schoolchildren on site. It is important that the children now see how effective the PV panels are for the school.”

Intelligent Energy Solutions is currently installing a number of commercial scale installations, such as 105 PV panels at the development in Limehouse, London, which is due for completion on 22^nd December. 50 of the panels are being mounted onto the side elevation of the seven-storey building and the remaining 55 panels are being installed onto the flat roofs.

Business as usual

Taking orders

Prioritising Solar PV

Stocks

Email enquires and call backs

New Solar PV Orders

Beyond 12th December 2011

The change will be announced by the government on Monday 31st October and will frustrate endless numbers of consumers who planned to have solar installations completed before April 2012. The timings of this latest government u-turn will ensure that there is virtually no time for members of the public to have their systems installed before the 12th December and receive the currently generous rates.

While the reduced rate of 21p/kWh will still provide an attractive investment for many people (vs other investment/saving opportunities) it will be a shadow of the current rate of 43.3p. This will almost double the pay back period from around 7 to 13 years.

However with increasing electricity prices this return will certainly improve.

Intelligent Energy Solutions are a leading UK installer of green energy products from solar panels to heat pumps.

Consumers wishing to make the switch to renewable energy technologies will now be able to without planning permission as a result of changes to legislation.
 
Under previous guidelines, homeowners had to have planning approval before installing any domestic heat pump and small wind systems however, under new standards issued by the Department for Communities and Local Government, these requirements will be lifted and will have a major effect on the renewable energy sector. The new legislation, approved by the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) for quality assurance, most significantly impacts the installation of Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHP) and wind turbines, which historically have been the most difficult to secure planning permission.
 
Peter Searancke, managing director of Intelligent Energy Solutions, the award-winning renewable energy specialists, believes the new standards will not only help raise awareness of the benefits of renewable energy systems but will also lead to the creation of jobs in the sector.
 
“The requirement for planning permission has always restricted the growth of air source heat pumps and wind turbines,” he commented, “so the introduction of new Permitted Development Rights is long overdue. In particular planning departments have struggled to differentiate between a commercial air conditioning system and a domestic heat pump, so the advent of new guidelines should ensure that suitability of an air source heat pump for domestic homes will no longer be in question. 
 
“The freeing-up of planning legislation will not only help householders towards more efficient heating and hot water, it will also help underpin the growth of the renewable sector and create more positions for trained installers.” He concluded.
 
The changes to Permitted Development Rights in England and Scotland were approved by government on the 6^th September 2011.

For more details see link:-
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2011/2056/pdfs/uksi_20112056_en.pdf

Intelligent Energy Solutions are a leading UK installer of green energy products from solar panels to heat pumps.

The awards, held on the 8^th September at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry, formed part of the nationwide Renewables Roadshow, which toured the country to bring new technologies, products and training to the forefront of the construction industry. Judged by a panel of industry experts representing Green Heat, HHIC, HVCA, BRE and Wolseley UK, the Energy Management Installer of the Year category recognises businesses that supply and install a comprehensive range of renewable energy systems and provide sound, environmentally responsible advice and support pre and post-installation.

The judging panel commented that Intelligent Energy Solutions was selected because of its depth of knowledge and ambitious expansion plans, which include a franchise scheme to provide other likeminded individuals with the opportunity of starting their own business secure in the knowledge they will have expert back-up.

After accepting the award from TV presenter, Julia Bradbury, Intelligent Energy Solutions’ managing director, Peter Searancke said: “Winning this award is a fantastic achievement for our business and for the team.  This type of recognition reflects our long term commitment to offer our customers a great service and the highest quality products. This national award not only supports our dedication to bring renewable energy from the margins to the mainstream, but also provides an excellent platform for the future development of the business.”

The Renewables Awards will be held at Coventry’s Ricoh Arena on 8^th September and form part of the nationwide Renewables Roadshow, which tours the country to bring new technologies, products and training to the forefront of the construction industry. IES is one of three businesses to be shortlisted in the Energy Management Installer of the Year category, which recognises companies that supply and install a comprehensive range of renewable energy systems and provide sound, environmentally responsible advice and support pre and post-installation.

Peter Searancke, managing director, IES commented: “The team is extremely pleased to have been shortlisted for this award. Winning would be a fantastic acknowledgement of our hard work over the past five years and serve as an excellent endorsement of our commitment towards a sustainable future for everyone.”

Founded in 2006, IES supplies and installs renewable energy solutions throughout the UK, including solar panels, air and ground source heat pumps and rainwater harvesting systems for residential and commercial properties.

Intelligent Energy Solutions are a leading UK installer of green energy products from solar panels to heat pumps.

The conference, held at Whittlebury Hall Hotel in Northampton, will allow attendees to quickly and clearly understand the key issues surrounding retrofit, from policy level through delivery and skills to customer needs and interaction.

Peter will be delivering real life case study examples of retrofit projects in the East Midlands, including Solar Panels and Heat Pumps installations.

Visit the BRE website for more information or to book your place.

This event is aimed at:

• Private and social housing owners
• Sustainability Directors / Managers
• Stock Maintenance and Repair Directors / Managers
• Maintenance Contractors
• Architects , Designers and Consultants
• Any SME working within the East Midlands construction industry

Intelligent Energy Solutions are a leading UK installer of green energy products from solar panels to heat pumps.