Call us now on 01356628560
Call us now on 01356628560
Spain’s power grid failed this week. Portugal’s went down soon after. What could have been mistaken for a cyber-attack or a freak technical glitch was, in fact, neither. It was a failure of infrastructure planning. And for anyone involved in the delivery of Scotland’s built environment – especially energy and utilities – it should ring loud alarm bells.
The crisis was triggered by a sudden loss of renewable generation – mostly solar – without sufficient backup storage to maintain grid frequency. It wasn’t a weather event, and it wasn’t sabotage. It was an engineering failure: a lack of grid inertia, of responsiveness and of preparedness.
I’ve spent over three decades in the construction-linked renewable sector, integrating solar, roofing and battery solutions at scale. From where I sit, this was an entirely predictable event – and it’s exactly the kind of risk the UK must now take seriously as we build out a net-zero future.
At present, we are phasing out traditional energy sources like nuclear and gas, while ramping up intermittent renewables. But too little attention is being given to what fills the gaps when those renewables drop out.
Scotland has been heavily focused on wind — an area where we excel globally. But we’ve underinvested in solar and significantly overlooked the infrastructure needed to store that power and use it when demand peaks.
That’s not just a national policy issue — it’s a planning, construction and delivery challenge. And one that developers, councils and infrastructure teams need to address together.
Two key solutions are available right now:
Battery storage – deployable at multiple scales, with near-instantaneous response times. We’re already seeing demand for rooftop solar-plus-battery systems from agricultural and commercial clients, looking to secure their own energy resilience while generating high returns through power export.
Pumped hydro storage – the gold standard in seasonal storage. Scotland is home to nine of the UK’s 11 planned pumped hydro projects, including major proposals at Ben Cruachan and Loch Ness. These systems store energy by pumping water uphill during periods of excess supply, then releasing it to generate electricity when needed.
But none of these projects are yet under construction. They are stuck in planning. This is where the construction sector must become an active voice – not just in building the infrastructure, but in helping shape the environment that allows it to be delivered. We need planning frameworks that recognise the urgency and strategic value of energy storage projects.
This is no longer a future concern. The UK nearly faced its own crisis in 2022, when a surge in demand during a summer heatwave in the southeast coincided with low wind generation. To avoid blackouts, we had to pay record prices to buy power from Belgium. That’s not sustainable — and it’s not how you build a resilient energy system.
Scotland has the skills, the sites and the solutions. But unless we accelerate planning approvals, streamline project delivery and invest where it counts, we risk importing the same vulnerabilities we saw in Spain.
The transition to clean energy is not just about what we generate — it’s about how we store, balance and distribute it. As a construction nation, we must think beyond kilowatts and start thinking in terms of capacity, flexibility and resilience.
If we fail to do that, the next blackout headline might not be about Spain. It could be about us.
Just over a week ago, Spain’s electricity grid faltered. Portugal quickly followed. In the media, speculation swirled: Was it a cyber attack? Sabotage? Hackers?
No. Investigations continue, yet the truth looks simpler and far more worrying: this was a failure of energy planning.
The power outage that took down two national grids wasn’t caused by some hostile force – it was caused by a sudden drop in renewable energy output and a failure to back it up with sufficient storage. This wasn’t a freak event. It was entirely foreseeable. And unless Scotland, and the wider UK, get serious about balancing its own energy system, we’re next.
I’ve spent over 30 years in the roofing and renewable energy sector, and I’ve never seen a more urgent need for honest, practical thinking about our energy future. We’re electrifying more of our economy – transport, homes, industry. But we’re not updating our energy infrastructure with the same urgency or realism.
The fundamental truth is this: renewables are intermittent, and we ignore that at our peril. When the sun disappears behind the clouds, solar output drops in seconds. When the wind dies down – as it often does during periods of high pressure – turbines stop turning.
In Spain, this happened in real time, and without a balanced backup in place, the system couldn’t cope. The frequency of the grid dipped below its 50 Hz threshold, and everything dropped or stopped.
This concept – grid frequency and system “balance” – may sound technical, but it’s absolutely central to keeping the lights on. It’s not enough to simply generate clean electricity. We must balance the generating technologies we deploy, and we need to balance generation with storage. Without this, the more we depend on renewables, the more fragile our system becomes.
Pumped hydro
In Scotland, we’re at a crossroads. We’re rich in wind and increasingly rich in solar. But our national approach lacks depth. We’ve been piling investment into wind power without complementing it with enough solar or sufficient storage. It’s like baking a cake and forgetting the eggs – you’re not going to like the result.
Thankfully, the solutions already exist. Battery storage, for one, is fast and flexible, and it can be deployed for homes and industry to make energy more affordable, and at grid scale. It’s a critical piece of the puzzle. But for truly seasonal storage – the ability to save vast amounts of power from windy or sunny days and release it during darker, calmer periods – pumped hydro is unmatched.
Scotland is uniquely placed here. Of the 11 pumped hydro projects in development across the UK, nine are in Scotland. Sites like Cruachan and Loch Ness could become the backbone of our energy resilience – storing clean energy when there’s too much and releasing it when we need it most.
But let’s be clear: none of these projects are under construction. They’re stuck in planning, in policy review, in bureaucratic inertia. And all the while, our national base load is shrinking – coal gone, nuclear retiring, gas under pressure. Without new thinking and faster action, we are literally risking blackout.
We’ve already had some close calls. In 2022, during a 34°C heatwave in southern UK, demand surged, wind speed dropped, and we came within a whisker of a system failure. The UK had to import electricity at almost £10 per kilowatt hour to keep the grid running. That’s not a strategy.
Spain’s blackout wasn’t a cyber-attack. It was a preview. And if we don’t get our energy mix right – with proper storage, grid investment and a smart balance between wind and solar – we’ll be next on the front pages.
Scotland has the tools, the geography and the engineering know-how. What we need now is political will, joined-up thinking and a proper recipe for energy security in a renewable future.
This isn’t simply about keeping the lights on. It’s about building a nation that’s ready for the future – and resilient enough to power through it.
A Scottish firm at the forefront of delivering solar-powered solutions has warned that the "current approach to renewable energy policy is alarmingly inadequate".
The firm says Scotland can be a leader in renewable energy but that business must have a seat at the policy-making table to help steer net zero progress.
Here, John Forster tells how his business has been shaped since he founded the firm and why he believes the voice of businesses should be heard.
Business name: Forster Group
Location: Brechin, Angus
Business Description: Founded in 1990, Forster Group has become a leading provider of smart, integrated roofing, ground and roof-mounted solar and battery storage solutions.
As a forward-thinking and innovative business, Forster Group is at the forefront of sustainable construction and renewable energy transition. We provide sustainable solutions for individuals and businesses to take more control of their energy consumption and cost.
We offer advanced integrated roofing and solar systems that helps deliver more energy-efficient homes, support net-zero goals and reduce energy costs. As a company, we’re dedicated to improving standards across the UK house-building industry and we were a key partner in the UKRI-funded Advanced Industrialised Methods for the Construction of Homes project (AIMCH).
The energy industry is in a state of flux. As someone who has spent decades working in Scotland’s renewable energy sector, I’ve witnessed first-hand just how dynamic and unpredictable this industry can be. But even I find myself awestruck by the pace of change we are experiencing now – a pace that feels exhilarating, but also deeply challenging.
We were full of enthusiasm when renewables burst onto the scene. Governments, individuals, industries, and communities were galvanized by the vision of a cleaner, greener future. Yet today, as we look back, it is worth asking: were we victims of our own early enthusiasm? In our rush to transition, we overlooked a critical question – how would we pay for this transformation, and, just as importantly, how would we make it affordable for everyone?
Affordability means different things to different people. For a working family, it’s about keeping monthly energy bills manageable. For a pensioner, it’s about making ends meet when retirement savings are tied to investments that are often beyond their control.
For businesses, including the construction and energy sectors, affordability is increasingly about balancing the cost of retrofitting buildings in the context of their capital value. Retrofitting, as we know it today, is often the unsustainable solution. We cannot sacrifice our infrastructure for the sake of meeting net-zero targets if doing so destroys economic value.
At the same time, we see global industries feeling the strain. The German car industry, once the gold standard, is now slowing dramatically under the weight of energy transition costs. This is not a uniquely German problem; it’s a global challenge demanding urgent solutions.
Compounding this is the alarming rollback on green commitments by major industries, especially oil and gas companies. Instead of leading the way, many have found it more lucrative to stick with the status quo. It’s disheartening and reminds us that energy independence must become a central focus if we are to ensure the resilience of our energy systems.
China’s dominance in the solar industry only underscores this. With a 90 per cent share in global solar production and controlling over 70 per cent of rare earth minerals, the balance of power is looking skewed.
In Scotland, the concept of a “just transition” became a rallying cry. It was supposed to ensure no one was left behind in the switch to renewables. Yet it feels like the rhetoric has far outpaced reality.
One bright spot has been the farming industry. Farmers across Scotland continue to embrace renewable energy solutions – installing solar to achieve energy independence and generating surplus energy as a new crop. Their resilience and adaptability offer a glimpse of what is possible when innovation meets determination.
Despite these challenges, innovation in the energy sector gives me hope. Companies like Octopus Energy are introducing disruptive models such as Zero Bills, which could redefine how we think about energy consumption, generation and cost. At Forster Group, we’ve been working hard to ensure our integrated roofing, solar and battery solutions remain accessible and sustainable across Scotland.
The energy industry is moving faster than ever, and it’s increasingly challenging to keep ahead. But one thing is clear: we need collaboration – between policymakers, regulators, industry leaders, and consumers – to navigate these turbulent times. Policymakers must ensure consistency and accountability to green commitments, while industry needs to double down on affordable, scalable solutions. And for individuals, encouraged to make energy-conscious choices, the ripple effect can extend far beyond one household.
Scotland has been a leader in renewable energy. If we can align our ambition with actionable strategies, there is no doubt we can continue to set the standard for others to follow.
John Forster, chair of Forster Group, believes the renewable energy sector, particularly solar and battery storage, is poised for significant growth.
“The closure of the UK’s last coal-fired power station in September 2024 marked a pivotal shift towards cleaner energy. The Labour government’s move to nationalise the National Grid as the National Energy Systems Operator (NESO) is a crucial step in prioritising renewable energy. We foresee a rise in smart energy systems, integrating large-scale and microgeneration of solar power with advanced storage solutions. This transition is vital for meeting climate targets and ensuring energy security.
“The built environment faces challenges in retrofitting and constructing energy-efficient homes, compounded by skills shortages and high costs. Collaboration between national and devolved governments is therefore essential. At Forster Group, we are dedicated to leading this transition, providing integrated solutions that support a sustainable and resilient future.”
In September the UK’s last coal-fired power station, near Nottingham, was closed after more than 140 years, marking a significant moment in our energy history. Coal, which once powered our factories, homes and transport, has been the bedrock of our industrial growth and modern economy. Now, with this milestone, we can confidently say that we no longer need coal to fuel our society. However, as we move away from this historically dominant and dirty energy source, we face both challenges and opportunities that will shape the future of energy in the UK.
The incoming Labour government, in a move spearheaded by the new Energy Secretary, Ed Miliband, has already signalled an ambitious move with its decision to nationalise the National Grid and rebrand it as the National Energy Systems Operator (NESO). In theory, this could unlock key barriers that have historically stymied the development and adoption of renewable energy. By taking control of the energy system at a national level, the government can take a more holistic approach to grid management, removing constraints that previously favoured fossil fuel-based energy. The grid, now owned by the people, can be redesigned to prioritise clean energy sources such as solar, wind and hydro.
One of the key changes we are seeing is the transition to smart energy systems. The old reliance on coal and gas provided a simplistic, if dirty, solution to energy shortages: burn more fossil fuels. But this approach is no longer viable. The need to balance energy generation, particularly from renewables, has created volatility in the energy market which directly influences wholesale energy prices and, in turn, drives up costs for consumers.
The election results signal a pivotal moment for our country, particularly concerning climate action and the imperative of achieving net zero. With Labour now in government, it’s crucial it prioritises climate policy to ensure we don’t continue to fall short of our targets.
The International Energy Agency (IEA) has highlighted that global clean energy plans remain insufficient to meet renewable goals by 2030. This stark reality is a wake-up call for the UK. Our nation, despite its ambitious targets, has frequently missed the mark. Scotland and the wider UK have experienced well-documented failures in meeting climate targets yet achieving net zero by 2050 remains within reach - provided we act decisively and immediately.
In 2023, global electricity production from fossil fuels reached an all-time high. While the proportion of electricity generated through renewable energy also increased, emissions are not falling. This paradox underscores the urgency of the situation.
Global temperatures are already perilously close to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, and we risk surpassing this threshold.
Affordability is often cited as a barrier to the net zero transition. Many people are reluctant to bear the costs of decarbonising the economy. However, this perspective overlooks the long-term economic benefits and cost savings associated with renewable energy.
Investing in clean technologies will create jobs, stimulate economic growth and reduce energy costs over time. The new Labour Government must prioritise funding and incentives for renewable projects to make the transition more accessible and affordable for businesses and households.
The only solution is faster decarbonisation and greater investment in renewable electricity generation. The Government must accelerate the deployment of renewable energy sources, such as solar, and investment in storage and smart grid technologies to enhance efficiency and reliability.
Significant action is required by 2030 to ensure we stay on track to meet the 2050 net zero targets. The current approach to renewable energy policy is alarmingly inadequate, failing to address the growing urgency of the climate crisis, and lacks the input of the necessary experts and organisations that can drive meaningful change.
In this context, the creation of BlackRock's new climate and decarbonisation stewardship guidelines offers a promising tool. These guidelines can help support decarbonisation by promoting responsible investment practices and encouraging companies to align their operations with climate goals. By integrating such principles, the new Government can foster a more sustainable and resilient economic framework.
Meaningful engagement is crucial. Without it, we risk continuing down a path of insufficient action and missed opportunities. The new Labour Government must establish a framework that not only sets ambitious targets but provides a clear, actionable roadmap.
The UK has the potential to be a renewables leader and the election has recalibrated our approach to realising a sustainable, prosperous future.
Looking ahead, it’s clear that achieving our renewable energy goals is not only necessary but entirely possible. With the right policies, investment and collaboration, we can turn ambition into reality. Keir Starmer’s new Government must lead the way.
John Forster is chair of Forster Group
John Forster, chair of Forster Group, said the UK remains at a ‘critical point’ on its path to achieve net zero and he wants to see politicians engage meaningfully with the right people so they can implement policies which will make a difference now.
“Scotland and the wider UK’s failure to meet targets has been well documented. However, echoing recent remarks made by IEA, renewable energy goals, while ambitious, are achievable but only if governments act. UK policymaking for the transition to renewable energy is still dangerously inadequate to address the ever-growing issues and the right experts and organisations still don’t have a seat at the table.”
Scottish Gas is partnering with Forster Group to enable solar power and battery storage installations in Scotland.
· Households can save between 75 per cent and 90 per cent off the cost of their electricity bill by installing solar panels and batteries.
· The partnership is the latest step in Scottish Gas’ commitment to helping customers decarbonise their homes and save money on their energy bills.
Scottish Gas is partnering with Forster Group, one of the largest solar panel installers in Scotland, to enable installation of the technology in Scotland and meet the growing demand for solar panel and battery storage technology from homeowners.
The new partnership with Brechin-based Forster Group will enable Scottish Gas to install solar power and battery technology to any eligible customer in Scotland, England and Wales for the first time, accelerating the nation’s transition towards renewable energy sources. Forster Group already provides solar services to one in five of all new homes in Scotland and has offices in Brechin, Angus, and Livingston.
Customers can currently benefit from a free consultation for solar panel installation tailored to their energy usage and home layout. A survey will give estimated costs, savings and installation options without any commitment.
Households could save between 75 and 90 per cent off the cost of their electricity bill by installing solar panels1, and latest industry figures show more than 183,000ii installations were carried out across the UK last year2.
Research in the British Gas Homes Index revealed that more than two fifths (42%) of people said they were considering installing solar panels in the next two years to tackle climate change and save on bills.
Susan Wells, Low Carbon Homes Director at Scottish Gas, said: “We are committed to delivering the right products and solutions to help people cut carbon in their homes and save money on their bills in a way that works for them.
“We’re seeing our customers get more engaged with the benefits of solar energy, which is why we are extending our capabilities and partnering with Forster Group. Forster’s impressive track record in Scotland will allow us to meet the growing demand for solar and provide customers with expert advice and installations.”
Welcoming the partnership announcement, John Forster, Chair and Founder at Forster Group, said: “This partnership with Scottish Gas is a fantastic milestone on the Forster Group’s journey and will enable us to provide solar and battery storage installations to even more customers across Scotland. We are seeing solar power and battery technology playing an essential role in the country’s transition to Net Zero and with consumer appetite growing, more people now have the ability to take control of their own energy usage and make huge savings generating their own power.
“For over 30 years Forster Group has provided industry-leading solar and roofing solutions with a passion for innovation and the highest quality of customer service. We are excited to join forces with Scottish Gas and share their vision for a more sustainable energy future.”
· Scottish Gas is partnering with Forster Group to enable solar power and battery storage installations in Scotland.
· Households can save between 75 per cent and 90 per cent off the cost of their electricity bill by installing solar panels and batteries.
· The partnership is the latest step in Scottish Gas’ commitment to helping customers decarbonise their homes and save money on their energy bills.
Scottish Gas is partnering with Forster Group, one of the largest solar panel installers in Scotland, to enable installation of the technology in Scotland and meet the growing demand for solar panel and battery storage technology from homeowners.
The new partnership with Brechin-based Forster Group will enable Scottish Gas to install solar power and battery technology to any eligible customer in Scotland, England and Wales for the first time, accelerating the nation’s transition towards renewable energy sources. Forster Group already provides solar services to one in five of all new homes in Scotland and has offices in Brechin, Angus, and Livingston.
Customers can currently benefit from a free consultation for solar panel installation tailored to their energy usage and home layout. A survey will give estimated costs, savings and installation options without any commitment.
Households could save between 75 and 90 per cent off the cost of their electricity bill by installing solar panels1, and latest industry figures show more than 183,000ii installations were carried out across the UK last year2.
Research in the British Gas Homes Index revealed that more than two fifths (42%) of people said they were considering installing solar panels in the next two years to tackle climate change and save on bills.
Susan Wells, Low Carbon Homes Director at Scottish Gas, said: “We are committed to delivering the right products and solutions to help people cut carbon in their homes and save money on their bills in a way that works for them.
“We’re seeing our customers get more engaged with the benefits of solar energy, which is why we are extending our capabilities and partnering with Forster Group. Forster’s impressive track record in Scotland will allow us to meet the growing demand for solar and provide customers with expert advice and installations.”
Welcoming the partnership announcement, John Forster, Chair and Founder at Forster Group, said: "This partnership with Scottish Gas is a fantastic milestone on the Forster Group’s journey and will enable us to provide solar and battery storage installations to even more customers across Scotland. We are seeing solar power and battery technology playing an essential role in the country's transition to Net Zero and with consumer appetite growing, more people now have the ability to take control of their own energy usage and make huge savings generating their own power.
"For over 30 years Forster Group has provided industry-leading solar and roofing solutions with a passion for innovation and the highest quality of customer service. We are excited to join forces with Scottish Gas and share their vision for a more sustainable energy future."
Pulling on an extra sweater, half filling the kettle to make a cup of tea and religiously turning off the lights are just some of the adjustments we find ourselves making in the face of spiralling energy costs and global warming. With the government’s Energy Price Guarantee Scheme becoming less generous, an ending to the energy bills support scheme for households, and the introduction of the new Energy Discount Schemes for Business (EDSB), we may well collectively take a sharp intake of breath at the thought of even higher energy pricing to come.
The potential however, to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels, reduce energy bills and guarantee energy independence through solar generated electricity is enormous. Even in our dear old wet and cloudy Scotland, the available radiance can, with the right solar PV, be harnessed to generate a reliable source of electricity all year round — essential for intensive energy users such as manufacturers and farmers.
Amid soaring energy prices and inflation eroding the value of cash, the team at the Forster Group are seeing an unprecedented level of enquiries not just amongst our loyal house builder clients but also from farmers and food producers. They see solar power as the fastest route to reducing and stabilising their energy costs and as a way of reducing the need to purchase power from energy suppliers.
Solar and storage technologies have come a long way since they were first introduced. The panels we use in our integrated solar roofing systems today have far higher efficiency and produce significantly more power. Their superior light trapping and improved current collection means that roof and ground mount sites can be configured much more efficiently to maximise the production of lower cost green energy. Up-front installation costs have also fallen considerably over the last decade, making investment in solar an even more attractive proposition.
Importantly, integrated solar solutions can be tailored with future energy and grid developments in mind so that they can be connected to storage batteries, either immediately or when the grid in a customer’s area permits.
Farmers, processors and manufacturers looking to capitalise on their roof spaces for the production of lower cost green energy, will typically make solar panels their first choice. However, ground mounted panels, which share the same energy generating properties and efficiencies as roof panels are increasingly popular on lower grade land.
By tailoring the most cost-effective solar solution – and where applicable, solar storage – to precisely match current and projected energy requirements, both ground-mounted and roof installation offer excellent energy cost savings and returns on investment.
With the right solar installation, the standard unit cost of electricity can be reduced from the recent highs of 75 or 80 pence per kW to as little as 10 pence. Typically, from the savings made against increases in power costs, the pay-back period for solar installation is around two years.
For those interested in adopting solar, the process is quick and easy. Using the latest design software, a desktop survey and quotation can be provided within a day. Backed up by a site survey and feasibility study, a solar installation can be complete in as short a time as three weeks. With changes expected to Permitted development rules this spring, commercial and industrial businesses will join farmers in no longer needing planning permission for solar installations.
I established the Forster Group, one of Scotland’s largest integrated solar and roofing businesses, 30 years ago. In the early days of solar, we were met with some cynicism, however, as we enter our fourth decade, we increasingly see former customers increasing their solar capacity, and I look forward to helping more businesses in farming, manufacturing and house building secure a more sustainable and affordable energy future.
Thanks to Aberdeenshire social housing landlord Osprey Housing, 11 residents in Garmouth, Moray are now receiving free electricity through solar-electricity-generating (PV) panels installed on their roof.
Eleven, eight panel (2kWp) solar PV systems were fitted, on the most southerly facing roof of each home. The works were completed by Brechin based installer Forster Energy, within a week, minimising any disruption to the residents.
A power diverter was also fitted, meaning that any solar-generated-electricity not used by the resident, is diverted to heat their hot water tank, further reducing the amount of electricity they need to buy-in from their energy supplier during the day. “This is what really sold it to us”, explained Osprey Housing Energy Support Officer, Jane McWhirr, “as it means that all tenants will benefit, regardless of whether or not they are at home during the day. It was an ideal solution for these properties, which due to being off the gas grid, tend to have high electricity bills.”
In order to help residents get the most out of the free electricity generated by the panels on their roof, Forster provided an eight page guide full of useful tips. The eight panel systems could save residents as much as £200, depending on how much electricity they use during day-light hours. “One tenant said her weekly spend on electricity has already gone down from £20 to £15.”
“It’s brilliant to hear that our tenants are already seeing the benefit of the new PV systems, and the improvement in the energy efficiency rating has meant that these homes are now meeting EESSH (Energy Efficiency Standard for Social Housing). Following the success of this, our first programme of PV, we are now considering rolling out PV programmes across other schemes.”
“We were delighted to be selected to work on this project, and it was really pleasing to receive such positive feedback from Osprey and their tenants” said Forster Energy Managing Director, Steve Scott. “PV provides a great solution for meeting the EESSH and tacking fuel poverty. It is cost effective and less intrusive than other measures and can have a significant impact on the Energy Efficiency ratings of homes and other buildings”.
The project was delivered through the newly established Scottish Procurement Alliance (SPA) Energy Efficiency & Refurbishment framework. “We are really pleased with how this project was successfully delivered, it’s a great example of our Energy Efficiency & Refurbishment framework working well. Forster demonstrate the excellence we strive for at SPA, they have effectively safeguarded our client and demonstrate a suitable opportunity to procure an energy efficiency solution,” said Clive Feeney, Head of SPA Operations.
Forster Energy recently partnered with solar investment experts Renewable Energy Investments (REI) to offer Scottish businesses, public sector, commercial landlords and community groups an alternative way to fund clean energy generation projects, secure a reduced electricity tariff and reduce carbon emissions.
The partnership provides access to 100% funding for solar PV projects through a power purchase agreement (PPA). In return for the leasing of the airspace above their roof, organisations, individuals and community groups will receive a discounted rate on the electricity produced by the solar PV system for 25 years, guaranteed only to rise by RPI.
“We are delighted to be working with Forster Energy, to provide their clients with an attractive and secure funding option,” said REI Managing Director, Simon Booth.
Forster Energy Managing Director, Steve Scott explained “this partnership will make solar more widely accessible, particularly for those with a high energy consumption and whom funding has been a barrier to deployment”.
Clean, self-generated solar electricity not only significantly reduces energy costs, but helps commercial buildings comply with Section 63 of The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009.
For further details visit www.forstergroup.co.uk/energy/fully-funded-PV
Over the spring and summer months Forster delivered a series of twelve workshops for over forty Scottish social housing landlords. The well-received workshop explored the opportunity that solar PV presents in meeting the Energy Efficiency Standard for Social Housing (EESSH) and tacking fuel poverty.
“The workshop proved extremely popular and led to much constructive discussion on the role that PV can play in meeting EESSH and energy future proofing social homes” explained Forster’s Technical Manager Alan Collins.
Ian Byers, Housing Manager for Glen Housing Association, who arranged a workshop session for a number of Fife based housing associations commented “The session was attended by staff involved with the delivery of energy efficiency measures as well as those with less experience in this area, and provided useful information on the EESSH targets and how solar PV provides a cost effective solution. We have since followed up with a small feasibility study and again the information provided by Forster has been very helpful in our considerations on energy efficiency improvements for our housing stock”.
EESSH was launched in March 2014 with the objective of improving the energy efficiency of Scotland’s social housing stock. The standard sets a minimum energy efficiency (EE) rating for each social home (see table below), for landlords to achieve before the end of 2020.
The rating depends upon the dwelling type and the fuel type used to heat it. EESSH will mean that no social home will be lower than a ‘C’ or ‘D’ rating, resulting in warmer homes, lower fuel consumption, and subsequently, lower fuel bills and less tenants in fuel poverty. Social housing is already significantly more energy efficient than private rented or owner occupied homes and as at 1st April 2015, 64% of social homes were already meeting EESSH, This leavs 218,000 homes requiring energy efficient measures to meet the standard.
Solar PV provides the ideal solution to EESSH. It is cost effective and less intrusive than other measures, like external or internal wall insulation and as the table below shows it can have a significant impact on EE ratings.
Click here to download a sample of the 35 slide presentation and here to download a three page ‘Meeting EESSH with solar’ summary from the Solar Trade Association or contact us directly to request a workshop.
A review of EESSH is planned in 2017. “It will consider the setting of longer term milestones in line with the requirements of the 2050 Climate Change target of an 80% reduction in carbon emissions against the 1990 baseline”. Energy Efficiency Standard for Social Housing
Forster was recently appointed onto the Scottish Procurement Alliance (SPA) new ‘Energy Efficiency and Refurbishment’ framework. Forster will service workstream 2 of the SPA Energy Efficiency and Refurbishment (N7) framework, which runs until May 2020.
The OJEU compliant framework is targeted at those responsible for procuring energy efficiency measures for Scottish social housing and public buildings. This workstream allows SPA partner members to appoint Forster to deliver solar PV retrofit programmes.
“We are delighted to have been appointed on to this Framework and see it as a great opportunity for Scottish social landlords and public bodies to embrace the opportunity that solar presents in achieving EESSH and tackling fuel poverty”, explained Forster Managing Director, Steve Scott.
Click here to download a two page summary of the framework agreement and here to download the 11 page framework guide.
The Scottish Procurement Alliance (SPA) is a new approach for procurement in Scotland, created for organisations that buy products and services for the construction, refurbishment and maintenance of social housing and public buildings. It is backed by LHC, one of the leading and most respected procurement organisations in the UK. SPA frameworks are available to all organisations in Scotland that are fully or part publicly funded.
In only a few short months the solar industry has gone from being the rising star of the renewables revolution to a sector under incredible pressure.
Following the UK government’s Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) planned review of the Feed-in Tariff (FiT), a consultation was launched in August setting out plans to slash the sub 10kW solar tariff by an astonishing 87% and stripping back the sub 50kW tariff (popular with many businesses) by almost 70% from January 2016. The ability to pre-register or lock into a tariff level will also be removed, from 2016.
The UK government’s proposed cuts threaten to dismantle all the work invested in creating confidence and stability for the industry and investors, which have driven growth in Scotland’s economy.
What does this mean for Scottish businesses?
With over 5GW of on-shore wind and barely 200MW of installed solar it is clear that solar combined with a growing energy storage industry can provide the necessary balance to help meet The Scottish Government’s renewable electricity aspirations.
It is clear that those installing solar in 2015 before the cuts, will benefit from the greatest return on their investment if they act now.
However from 2016 there is still hope for the future of solar. After the massive cuts to the FiT in 2011, we saw a 70 per cent fall in the cost of solar panels. And again we expect a similar outcome, as these final cuts are implemented. This could mean that a high energy using business could still see a 15 per cent+ annual return on their investment.
A further drop in costs will follow the planned removal of the Minimum Import Price (MIP) imposed on Chinese manufactured panels in 2013 which could well bring a further 25 per cent reduction in the price of panels.
With the International Energy Agency (IEA) predicting that solar could be the world’s largest source of electricity by 2050, we can be confident that irrespective of the Government cuts, solar will play an increasingly significant role in Scotland’s energy sector.
To speak to us about how to benefit from solar and how this will affect your business contact me on John.Forster@forstergroup.co.uk
On Thursday 27th August 2015, DECC announced plans to drastically cut subsidies through the Feed-in Tariff scheme which will have damaging effects on the solar industry. However in Scotland there remains strong support politically and commercially and there is still hope for solar to thrive.
The proposed Feed-in Tariff (FiT) reduction is unnecessary, unjustifiable, unmanageable and ultimately destructive for Scotland’s emerging solar industry.
Earlier this year in March, we launched STA Scotland, due to the growing interest from industry and the Scottish Government. There are approximately 500 solar related jobs in Scotland, and with solar set to play a significant part in meeting the Scottish Government’s 2020, 100% renewable electricity target we had predicted that the Scottish solar industry would add a further 3,000 jobs over the next five years. Energy Minister Fergus Ewing has already highlighted that Scotland is at the forefront of the renewables industry and that solar needs to play a key role in meeting this target.
This slashing of support in January 2016, set out in the FiT review, is completely unnecessary. When the Solar Trade Association (STA) published its Solar Independence Plan (SIP) to the new Government in June this year, it set out the solar industry’s own objective to become subsidy free by 2020. The SIP, sets out in detail how this could be achieved through a predictable and progressive plan. A plan that would deliver the essential confidence and stability for industry and investors, which in turn drives the growth, innovation and efficiency that leads to subsidy free solar.
The potential damage to our industry is completely unjustifiable. As we saw in the recent consultations announced by the UK government, for the removal of pre-accreditation and early closure of the Renewable Obligation (RO) scheme, the FiT review wrongly attributes projected overspend within the Levy Control Framework (LCF) to the solar industry.
Solar continues to be the most popular source of energy with more than 80% of the British public supporting solar power. The estimated cost of FiT solar on consumer energy bills this year (2015/16) is £7, with 80% of that money being spent on the solar FiT, attributable to domestic solar systems installed before 2011. Solar costs have fallen by 70% in the last five years making solar an increasingly cost effective renewable technology. An extra £1.70 on energy bills between now and 2020 would deliver over one million more solar homes by 2020 and achieve subsidy free, domestic, roof top solar. It will not only provide lower cost energy, but significantly reduce fuel poverty in Scotland.
The solar industry’s SIP shows how the UK’s solar ambition for 2020 could be doubled to 25GW (with current deployment at approximately 8GW) for just £13 on annual household bills in 2020. The Government’s stated justification for these destructive cuts, is the desire to reduce the impact on household energy bills, whereas the true costs demonstrate that this is no reason for abandoning our solar industry.
The Government has already seen the impact of sudden drastic cuts in 2011, and the results were unmanageable. The huge surge in demand that is the likely outcome of the FiT review, will deliver the worst possible scenario for solar installers and their customers. For an industry that has taken three years to rebuild itself from the previous cuts, there simply isn’t the capacity to deal with the inevitable demand. The proposals will lead to the cramming of installs into a diminishing window of time that includes a major holiday period and winter weather, putting installers at risk under time pressures to ensure customers don’t lose out on the higher tariff before January.
Prior to the drastic FiT cuts in 2011, registered installer business numbers surged to over 8,000, before plunging to around 2,000. The UK industry now supports around 34,000 jobs and yet the inevitable result of these astonishing proposed cuts in January 2016 could lead to the ultimate destruction of a large part of our industry. We are in touching distance of solar becoming subsidy free over the next five years. Just as the industry requires stability to reach its goal the DECC changes are causing unnecessary disruption and uncertainty to this being achieved.
The plans seem short sighted when increasing UK deployment will reduce carbon emissions, improve the UK’s energy security, reduce our trade deficit, provide significant new employment and contain the rising costs of energy.
The International Energy Agency (IEA) is predicting that solar could be the world’s largest source of electricity by 2050. India and China alone have committed to the install of 100GW each in the next few years. And just as British solar companies, with the benefit of their home grown expertise, have started to export their services in these rapidly expanding global market places, their foundations are set to be eroded by poorly judged Government policies.
To speak to us about how this will affect your business get in touch direct at John.Forster@forstergroup.co.uk
Solar power has seen spectacular growth in Britain and around the world over the last five years. It now provides 1.5% of the UK’s electricity, supporting over 30,000 jobs across the country (including the supply chain). Prices have tumbled rapidly, allowing the Government to cut subsidies by about two-thirds during the lifetime of the last Parliament.
DECC has found that solar consistently has strong public support out of the renewable mix, year on year.
The Solar Trade Association recently published its ‘Solar Independence Plan for Britain’, setting out how the new Government can remove the need for subsidies completely as solar prices fall and reach parity by 2020.
By adopting our 25GW ambition, solar could provide:
Solar power is a breakthrough technology that is globally predicted to be the cheapest energy source by 2025 and the largest by 2050. Increasing its UK deployment will reduce carbon emissions, improve the UK’s energy security, reduce our trade deficit, provide significant new employment and help to contain the rising costs of energy.
We strongly recommend establishing a UK Government-industry task force to plan for solar’s transition to grid parity. Subsidy-free solar is tantalisingly close – we are confident that adoption of our Solar Independence Plan can make it one of the new Government’s significant achievements.
On Friday 3rd July, we welcomed, Murdo Fraser MSP to Cronan Farm, in Perthshire to visit one of our largest solar installations and speak to our team about the benefits for agricultural businesses.
Murdo Fraser MSP said,
“The solar industry provides a fantastic source of clean, low cost energy that farms like this can benefit from. Today was a great opportunity to see first-hand these benefits and meet those involved.”
Cronan Farm is home to MJ & J McLaren broccoli and potato enterprise, which installed a 720 panel solar array to provide power for the farm cold stores. The installation exemplifies the appetite for solar amongst Scottish farmers, keen to reduce their energy costs by generating their own cheaper and cleaner electricity.
Scotland is already a strong advocate of solar with 35,000 homes and 600 businesses currently benefitting from solar technology.
To find out more about benefits of solar for your business, contact us here.
Leading provider of roof-top and free-standing solar photovoltaics in Scotland, Forster Energy, is all set for this year’s All-Energy Exhibition and Conference.
The event, which is the UK’s largest renewable energy showcase, takes place at the SECC, Glasgow on May 6 and 7.
Forster Energy will again be sharing a stand H30 with Angus Council where they will be showcasing their popular in-roof solar display. Their team of experts will be on hand to discuss the fantastic opportunity that solar presents for house builders, public sector and community bodies, social housing landlords, farmers and commercial landlords and tenants.
STA Scotland are hosting a networking breakfast, sponsored by Forster Energy at Sunamp’s stand B21 on Thursday May 7 between 9:30 and 10:30. All are welcome to join us for a bacon bap, croissant or a healthy fruit platter to celebrate the recent launch of STA Scotland and to network with solar industry professionals.
All Energy 2015 looks to build on the success of previous years and is this year being held in Glasgow for the first time, following 10 years in Aberdeen.
With more than 450 exhibition stands and over 120 hours of presentations, delivered by 440 industry expert speakers – All-Energy 2015 is the place to be to for all with an interest in renewables. Come along and explore new opportunities, forge deals and participate in unrivalled networking, at this free to-attend event.
A new DECC report, which classifies solar PV as ‘a strong economic booster’, highlights the momentous growth in the sector in the last five years. The current UK total installed capacity sits at 5GW, rising from a meagre 33MW in 2010. Although the majority of installations to date have been in the domestic retro-fit and large-scale free standing markets, the commercial roof-top market is set to be the new growth area for the sector. Awareness of the benefits of self generated electricity, from a commercial perspective is rising. At the same time key barriers including planning constraints, transferability and landlord-tenant issues are being resolved.
Forster Group Chairman and newly appointed Chair of STA Scotland, John Forster will be speaking in London this Wednesday (1st April) as part of The Solar Trade Association’s Commercial Rooftop Event: Delivering Growth. The event will explore how installers have overcome the barriers and created opportunities for growth in the new build, roof integrated and retro-fit commercial markets. John will be speaking on the role of integrated solar and touch on how new energy standards in Scotland will lead to increased deployment, particularly in the house build and social housing sectors.
John is part of a host of experienced industry speakers, who will present delegates with tools to deliver growth across the commercial rooftop market.
To find out more about the event click here.
UPDATE: 6 April 2015
John’s presentation about roof integrated solar in Scotland can be viewed below.
We are delighted to announce that we have entered into an Affinity Partnership with NFU Scotland.
The partnership now means that NFU Scotland members, in addition to taking control of their energy costs, can benefit from saving over £2,000 on PV packages. This offer includes free web based monitoring and a special extended maintenance/review package. In addition, a new telephone consultation service has been launched to provide advice to NFU Scotland members who already have PV systems installed.
“We are delighted to be working with Forster Energy to raise awareness of the benefits of solar PV in helping our 8,500 members take control of their electricity costs” explained Colin Gordon from NFU Scotland.
“Our partnership with NFU Scotland strengthens our relationship with the farming sector”, said Forster Group Chairman John Forster. “We recognise that farmers and other businesses, particularly those with a high electricity use, are being increasingly impacted by rising energy costs. Through this partnership we will be able to empower more farmers to generate their own supply of clean electricity and therefore take greater control over their energy costs“.
To find out more about Forster’s PV service to farmers click here.
Tel: 01356628560
Email: enquiries@forstergroup.co.uk
Sectors | About Us | Privacy Policy
© 2024 Forster Group. All Rights Reserved.