Electrical Contractors | Electrical Energy Efficiency Contractors | North West

Government delays next wave of solar cuts to August 1

William Dyer Electrical — Thu, 24 May 2012 12:34:39 +0000

Barker announces delay to incentive cuts, announces raft of new support for solar industry

Climate Change Minister Greg Barker has today confirmed the next wave of cuts to solar feed-in tariff incentives will come into effect from August 1, cutting payments for small scale installations from 21p/kWh to 16p/kWh.

In a statement in the House of Commons accompanied by the release of the government’s response to its most recent consultation on the feed-in tariff incentive scheme, Barker said the government had finalised reforms to the scheme that would provide the industry with “TLC: transparency, longevity, and certainty”.

He also underlined the government’s long term commitment to the sector, confirming that solar technologies will be added to the UK’s Renewables Roadmap, announcing the formation of a dedicated PV Cost Reduction Task Force, committing to the development of a new Solar Enterprise Strategy, and trailing the launch of a new solar technology centre in Cornwall.

The confirmed cuts are at the lower end of the range originally proposed by ministers and will mean that incentives for installations with under 4kW of capacity will fall by just over 22 per cent. However, the period for which businesses and households will receive payments from the feed-in tariff has been reduced from 25 to 20 years.

Cuts to larger scale installations were also at the lower end of those proposed by ministers in the consultation in February, with the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) confirming that 10-50kW installations will receive 13.5p/kWh, 50-150kW sites will get 11.5p/kWh, and 150-250kW will receive 11p/kWh. In addition, the rules regarding multiple installations such as social housing projects have been relaxed so that they will receive 90 per cent of the standard tariff rate as opposed to the 80 per cent originally proposed.

Moreover, the export tariff for installations exporting energy to the grid will be increased from 3.2p/kWh to 4.5p/kWh.

Significantly, Barker also announced a new mechanism for reducing feed-in tariff that gives the government an option to cut the tariff every three months from November, based on the level of deployment in the preceeding months.

He explained that ministers would automatically authorise a freeze in cuts if there was less than 200MW deployed in the preceeding three months and a cut of 3.5 per cent if there is between 200MW and 400MW deployed. Equally, a surge in deployments resulting in more than 400MW being installed would result in deeper cuts of up to 28 per cent.

Under the new rules, the quarterly changes would be announced with two months notice.

“Today starts a new and exciting chapter for the solar industry,” Barker said. “The sector has been through a difficult time, adjusting to the reality of sharply falling costs, but the reforms we are introducing today provide a strong, sustainable foundation for growth for the solar sector.

“We can now look with confidence to a future for solar which will see it go from a small cottage industry, anticipated under the previous scheme, to playing a significant part in Britain’s clean energy economy.

“I want to send a very clear message today. UK solar continues to be an attractive proposition for many consumers considering microgeneration technologies and that having placed the subsidy support for this technology on a long-term, sustainable footing, industry can plan for growth with confidence.”

The move will be seen as a fairly sizable victory for the solar industry, after ministers delayed the proposed date for the new cuts to come into effect from July 1 and opted for tariff reductions that are significantly lower than the 35 per cent cuts that had been proposed in the consultation.

However, Shadow Climate Change Minister Luciana Berger argued Barker had been forced to put back the new cut-off date until August 1 because the government missed the deadline to impose the cuts on July 1, again accusing the government of mishandling a series of cuts that has led to a slump in demand for solar.

Barker denied the charge, insisting the deadline had been moved in response to feedback from the industry and accusing the opposition of “talking down” the solar sector.

The sector remains deeply concerned over the current rate of installations, which has seen the number of completed installations fall from over 10,000 a week prior to the most recent cuts on April 1 to around 1,500 a week over the past month.

Ministers and some within the solar industry have argued that the rate of deployment is still higher than it was a year ago, but critics of the government’s handling of the cuts have countered that the sharp contraction in demand has undermined many firms’ business plans and resulted in significant numbers of redundancies.

Paul Barwell, chief executive of the Solar Trade Association (STA), expressed confidence that the changes would provide the industry “with the security of guaranteed tariffs to 2015 allowing it to build for the future”.

“The STA is pleased to have won its ask for quarterly reviews with more responsiveness to market size, and less emphasis on automatic tariff cuts,” he said. “We remain very concerned that the market has stalled, and the recession certainly hasn’t helped. However, today’s announcement means we can now be confident that even when tariffs are adjusted on August 1, solar will still offer attractive returns to consumers – certainly when compared to other investments currently available.”

However, while the solar industry welcomed the renewed clarity developers of small scale wind turbines, anaerobic digestion, small scale hydro, and biomass technologies were left in the dark about the new incentive rates they can expect after DECC confirmed an announcement would not now be made until the summer.

Source: BusinessGreen

William Dyer Electrical provide electrical energy management and energy efficiency solutions including Solar PV, Low Energy Lighting Installation and Smart Metering. These services allow their clients to significantly reduce their energy bills and reduce their carbon footprint.

For more information from William Dyer Electrical, subscribe to our blog or visit our main site at www.wmdyer.co.uk . You can also follow WM Dyer on Twitter @WM_Dyer , email info@wmdyer.co.uk or call 01706 212815 to speak to a Contract Manager.

William Dyer’s Services:

Power Distribution , Low Energy Lighting Installation , Emergency Lighting Installation , Fire Alarm Installation , Data/ Structured Cabling , Closed Circuit Television , Intruder Alarm Installation , Electrical Heating Installation , Electrical Maintenance, Ventilation Installation, Smart Metering, Solar PV Installation

William Dyer Electrical invest in first aid training for entire company

William Dyer Electrical — Tue, 22 May 2012 15:06:46 +0000

Leading UK electrical contractor, William Dyer Electrical (UK) Ltd has successfully embarked on a training programme for all employees which resulted in each member of staff becoming trained as first aiders.

Steve Rivers from A.I.D. Training & Operation delivered the training in William Dyer Electrical’s bespoke training facility.

Pictured: Paul Coffey, William Dyer Electrical (UK) Ltd and Steve Rivers from AID Training & Operation

The training was offered across the company, despite only needing one appointed first aider.

Managing Director William Dyer said:

“Our people are our true assets; we continually invest in a variety of personal development courses and training across the company to maintain our excellent standards of work. Having several qualified first aiders within the business will help to ensure the safety and well-being of our whole team, either on site or in the office”.

He went on to say

“AID Training uses the very best instructors all of whom have a wealth of experience in their subject knowledge and come from an operational first aid background – including Paramedics, Nurses, Military Medics and Fire Fighters”.

Paul Hoskin – Owner, AID training said

“William Dyer Electrical has taken the unusual step to give all employees the necessary training to reach qualified first aider status. Their team are focused and a clear example of this type of employee engagement speaks volumes. We were delighted to spend time at their training suite and look forward to carrying out more training as the business continues to expand”.

For information about William Dyer Electrical (UK) Ltd visit: www.wmdyer.co.uk

For Further information on AID Training and the courses they offer, please visit www.aid-training.co.uk

Government confirms it could delay next wave of solar subsidy cuts

William Dyer Electrical — Mon, 21 May 2012 08:29:16 +0000

Ministers accused of mishandling planned cuts again by missing parliamentary deadline for confirming plans

Imminent cuts to solar incentives could be delayed after the government allegedly missed a parliamentary deadline to confirm the next wave of reductions to the popular feed-in tariff scheme.

The government had been expected to confirm further cuts to the tariffs by early May with a view to the changes coming into effect from 1 July.

But Climate Change Minister Greg Barker yesterday confirmed it was now considering delaying the plans. ”Having listened carefully to industry, we are looking at scope for pushing back a little the next proposed reduction in solar feed-in tariffs,” he wrote on Twitter.

However, according to sources in the solar industry the government this week missed the deadline required to provide 40 days’ notice to Parliament ahead of any changes to the scheme. As a result ministers would have to delay cuts until mid-July at the earliest or else risk a legal challenge over the plans.

The news is likely to fuel hopes that the government will hold off from making further cuts until the market picks up. Recent installation figures show demand collapsed after the government changed the rules governing the scheme and halved the level of incentives available from April 1.

The latest figures show the number of installations dropped to 912 in the week ending 13 May, creating around 4MW of capacity – a huge reduction on the tens of thousands of installations undertaken during February and March.

Shadow Energy Secretary Caroline Flint will today call on DECC ministers to delay the latest round of planned cuts, warning such a move could derail DECC’s new ambition to deploy 22GW of solar capacity in the UK by 2020.

Total installed capacity for the past four weeks reached 17MW, against a four-weekly average of 71MW over the past year. Labour has calculated it would now take 169 years to reach the government’s target of delivering 22GW of solar capacity under the current deployment rates.

The Solar Trade Association (STA) has also requested a meeting with Barker to discuss ways to revive the flat-lining market and has urged the government to delay the planned cuts.

“We are facing an unusual set of challenges right now and it is fundamentally a problem of confidence and perception,” said Alan Aldridge, STA chairman. “We need all champions of solar – in government, industry and elsewhere – to help us get the message out that solar is still a great investment, particularly with energy bills on the rise again.

“But we also need government to show real sensitivity to the current situation and work with us to create a stable and growing market.”

Source: BusinessGreen

William Dyer’s Services:

Commercial Electrical Installations at Mr. Fred’s Restaurant: Stanley House Hotel

William Dyer Electrical — Thu, 17 May 2012 08:00:41 +0000

William Dyer Electrical (UK) Ltd recently started work on the electrical installations within the new extension to Mr. Fred’s Restaurant at Stanley House Hotel.

This coincides with the installation project already underway on the main hotel which is also being completed by William Dyer Electrical UK Ltd.

The original electrical installation contract at Stanley House Hotel includes a wide variety of disciplines. Sub-mains and distribution, lighting controls, energy efficient lighting, small power, fire alarm, data network, CCTV, TV/media, lightning protection, surge protection, supplies to specialist sauna kit.

We work with local and national organisations from the industrial, commercial and public sectors and assist all of our clients in becoming more energy efficient. If you are interested in finding out how we can help your organisation:

make significant energy savings
reduce its’ carbon footprint
reduce utility bills

We offer electrical energy management and energy efficiency solutions including Low Energy Lighting Installation and Smart Metering. These services allow our clients to significantly reduce their energy bills and also their carbon footprint.

Latest news: we are proud to announce that we have recently secured over £3million worth of electrical contracts for 2012. To find out more about these projects, click here.

To receive our updates, subscribe to our blog or visit our main site at www.wmdyer.co.uk . You can also follow us on Twitter @WM_Dyer . If you have an electrical contracting requirement, please email us at info@wmdyer.co.uk or call 01706 212815 to speak to a Contract Manager.

Electrical Installations at Silverpoint in Bury

William Dyer Electrical — Tue, 15 May 2012 10:36:14 +0000

William Dyer Electrical UK Ltd have recently completed a large refurbishment project at Silverpoint Business Park in Bury, Lancashire. The project included electrical installations within the new reception area (Phase 1) and complete first floor fit out for the incoming client.

This fully refurbished building provides a total of 14,691 sq ft of office space split over two floors.

The completed project included:

Lighting
Power
Fire Systems
Energy efficient controls
Air Conditioning
Mains Distribution
Containment systems
Structured cabling solutions

We provide electrical energy management and energy efficiency solutions including Low Energy Lighting Installation and Smart Metering. These services allow our clients to significantly reduce their energy bills and also their carbon footprint.

Latest news: we are proud to announce that we have recently secured over £3million worth of electrical contracts for 2012. To find out more about these projects, click here.

Public Sector Electrical Installations – Lancastria Building

William Dyer Electrical — Fri, 11 May 2012 08:08:55 +0000

William Dyer Electrical (UK) Ltd have worked on a diverse range of electrical installations for the public sector. We recently completed another project with Lancashire Constabulary at their Lancastria Building.

We were appointed as the sub-contractor for the project working closely with the main contractor; Morris and Spottiswood.

The completed project included fire alarm installation, data installation, energy efficient lighting installation utilizing Ex-Or controls.

The Ex-Or range of lighting controls can be used for all applications including, presence detection, lighting management systems, architectural dimming and scene-setting and emergency lighting testing systems. These systems enable customers achieve energy savings, reduce fuel bills, and create a optimum environment for staff or visitors.

For more examples of completed public sector electrical installations, click here.

William Dyer Electrical (UK) Ltd are one of the UK’s leading electrical energy efficiency contractors. Our highly skilled team of electricians have completed a broad range of installation projects for public sector organisations.

If you have an electrical installation project that you would like to discuss, please contact one of our Contract Managers by emailing info@wmdyer.co.uk or calling 01706 212 815.

Commercial and public sector contracts worth £3million for William Dyer Electrical

William Dyer Electrical — Thu, 03 May 2012 09:05:48 +0000

William Dyer Electrical (UK) Ltd has been awarded contracts for commercial and public sector electrical installations during 2012, worth approximately £3million.

The contract wins include direct work with The Manchester College as principal contractor for a project worth approximately £1.5m which will take place over a 16 week period.

The work at Shena Simon, part of the The Manchester College includes a complete rewire and boiler replacement; which on completion will boast leading-edge energy efficient electrical installations and technologies. These installations will enable the college to reduce their carbon footprint benefitting the local community, college students and staff base; as well as demonstrating a commitment towards becoming a greener UK.

This project is set to create significant employment opportunities in the North West, a positive outcome as the country announces a ‘double dip recession’.

Managing Director William Dyer said:

“Being appointed as the principal contractor on the The Manchester College project is fantastic achievement, especially for a project of this scale with such heritage. The Shena Simon Campus is a grade 2 listed building and our installation methods and techniques must be sympathetically executed to ensure that this beautiful building benefits from the installations taking place”.

He went on to say;

“The additional projects we have been successful enough to win, give our company a fantastic boost in these tough economic times. We have a team-led approach from apprentice level through to director level. It is this firm commitment, forward thinking, investment in staff and in the business, which gives our clients the confidence to use us time and time again”.

This project has been awarded to William Dyer Electrical (UK) Ltd in addition to a number of nationwide contracts within their core market of energy efficient electrical installations.

Other contract wins include an 18 bedroom extension plus health and fitness facility at Stanley House Hotel, installation projects for World Red Hot Buffet restaurants in Manchester and Nottingham as well as further public sector electrical installations for Lancashire Constabulary with whom William Dyer Electrical has had a longstanding working relationship.

For information about William Dyer Electrical (UK) Ltd visit: www.wmdyer.co.uk

To speak to a Contract Manager, call 01706 212 815

Electrical Energy Efficiency Contractors – William Dyer Electrical provide electrical energy management and energy efficiency solutions including Low Energy Lighting Installation and Smart Metering. These services allow their clients to significantly reduce their energy bills and reduce their carbon footprint.

Case Study – Lancashire Constabulary; Moor Farm Estate

William Dyer Electrical — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 14:52:52 +0000

William Dyer Electrical (UK) Ltd recently completed the second electrical installation project for Lancashire Constabulary at their Moor Farm premises which was formerly the O.H.S.W building.

The works included, the design, supply, installation and setting to work the new Electrical Services including

lighting installation
emergency lighting
new sub-main distribution
fire detection systems
voice and data communication systems
CCTV system
intruder alarm
door access system
supplies to controls to mechanical services
small power systems
containment systems
testing and commissioning of the installation

In addition the works also included the disconnection and removal of the existing redundant electrical services.

If you have an electrical installation project that you would like to discuss, please contact one of our Contract Managers by emailing info@wmdyer.co.uk or calling 01706 212 815

Electrical Installations for Stanley House Hotel

William Dyer Electrical — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 14:02:14 +0000

Set in 54 acres of Ribble Valley countryside, Stanley House is a hotel like no other. Located near the Lancashire village of Mellor, this 17th Century country house has been transformed into a stunning, award-winning hotel with individually designed bedrooms.

The Hotel is now undergoing an extension, this will provide a further 18 exclusive bedrooms and a new Health and Spa Facility.

William Dyer Electrical have been awarded the electrical installation contract which includes a wide variety of disciplines. Sub-mains and distribution, lighting controls, energy efficient lighting, small power, fire alarm, data network, CCTV, TV/media, lightning protection, surge protection, supplies to specialist sauna kit.

Our installations for this project include:

A new addressable fire alarm system which will be networked to the existing alarm system in the main hotel. The addressable system will show exactly where the alarm originates from, i.e. it would show which bedroom on the display at the main hotel reception.

A Ving card system for the bedrooms and entrance to the spa areas. The Ving card system is programmed as required to allow guests access to different areas, i.e.their own room, the spa area at certain times etc. The Ving card system will also switch off circuits to each bedroom when they are not occupied thereby saving energy

Rako lighting control system in the spa areas. This will offer the staff the availability of controlling the lighting in different areas to different mood settings and will allow for individual control of dimming in the treatment rooms etc.

CCTV linked to the existing system in the main hotel. There are two separate CCTV systems both incorporated into an existing system, one will look at the spa areas and one will cover the exterior and bedroom wing. Both of these will be able to be viewed and controlled from the existing main hotel reception. The system is more complex than usual by having the ability to be controlled and viewed from two positions.

A disabled call and panic alarm system. The spa staff will have a panic alarm system where they will have ability to raise the alarm from a remote control that they carry on their person. Also the disabled toilets within the building raise the alarm at the main hotel reception in order that the staff may investigate.

The project will be completed by summer in time for one of the many weddings which normally take place during the year.

To discuss your project requirements with one of the William Dyer Contract Managers, call 01706 212815 or contact us here.

Report says manufacturers lose £1.4bn per year from old lighting

William Dyer Electrical — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 14:24:13 +0000

A new report has claimed that UK manufacturers lose £1.4 billion per year as a result of old lighting systems.

The report, The Light Bulb Moment, produced by Vita Energia, suggests that the losses result from a reluctance to upgrade from 1950s lighting systems.

The report claims that the replacement or refurbishment of current T12 fluorescent systems could save as much as 10 million tonnes of CO2 emissions per year in the UK.

To produce the report, 500 on-site surveys were carried out showing that industrial lighting energy use could be cut by an average of 58.6 per cent through upgrading fittings with specially designed reflectors and the installation of lower wattage, high efficiency lamps and ballasts.

The report goes on to suggest that metal halide or sodium fittings can be upgraded to emit better quality lighting using less energy, alongside retrofitting to downsize light fittings without reducing light levels.

Download the report here

Source: Lighting.co.uk