Centrosolar joins UK feed-in tariff gold rush

The gold rush sparked by the launch of the UK's renewable energy feed-in tariff stepped up a notch this week after German solar specialist Centrosolar launched a UK subsidiary and obtained product UK certification for its solar panels.

The Hamburg-based Centrosolar is looking to tap into increased demand across both the commercial and private sectors for photovoltaic systems in the UK following the introduction of attractive feed-in tariffs in April.

The company has recruited seven-year solar industry veteran Simon Gerrard, former head of domestic sales for Solarcentury, to run its British subsidiary.

Centrosolar has emerged as one of Europe's leading solar panel providers, subsidiaries in eight other countries outside of its home territory.

The company specialised in providing integrated packages comprising crystalline high-performance modules and the components needed to operate the system, as well as lighter thin-film solar panels suitable for roofs with low load reserves. Centrosolar's crystalline solar modules are manufactured at the group's own Sonnenstromfabrik plant in Wismar, Germany.

Centrosolar achieved certification under the UK's Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) at the end of August, ensuring that its products are eligible for the feed-in tariff incentive.

The company said it will sell through an existing network of sales partners covering the wholesale, installation and social housing sectors, which is to be further expanded.

UK demand from businesses for small-scale renewable energy systems has already exceeded expectations with an analysis from renewable energy installation specialist Ownergy showing that over 6MW of capacity has been deployed by 55 businesses since the feed-in tariff was introduced.

In related news, UK start up Clean Renewable Energy Group (CREG) announced this week that it has launched a £50m fund to help businesses, councils and charities take advantage of the feed-in tariffs (FIT) programme.

The fund will pay for the installation of solar panels on large buildings, particularly those in the public and not-for-profit sectors, eliminating the need for organisations to make any capital investment in solar energy, while still allowing them to benefit from reduced energy costs and lower carbon emissions.