Solarlec News

Ged Rowbottom from Solarlec and Jon Juxon from Sunpower

The partnership was confirmed last week when Sunpower’s national sales director, Jon Juxon, visited Solarlec’s Burnley head office to deliver a training session to the company’s team of national energy advisors.

Sunpower’s high quality solar panels have been praised throughout the industry for their performance, quality and output – proven to deliver more power in both the ‘real-world’ and under stringent test conditions – and have been chosen to fuel a ground-breaking solar powered aircraft.

Ged Rowbottom, director at Solarlec, said: “We’re in the privileged position of becoming one of the select few UK companies working with Sunpower.

“Sunpower’s products have been proven to be the most efficient solar modules on the market by Guinness World Records and have a unique and highly attractive look largely thanks to their patented ‘Maxeon™ Technology.

“We look forward to building a strong and mutually beneficial partnership with the company – any product that can deliver at 8,500 metres in the air is definitely reliable enough for our customers.”

Solarlec, winner of Burnley Small Business of the Year 2011, installs more than 1,200 panels every month across the UK. For more information, visit www.solarlec.com

Solar panel customers have given Solarlectop marks for service in an independent review.

Solarlec, which has its head office in Burnley, has been awarded a 98% customer satisfaction rating for 2011 by the Independent Warranty Association, which provides solar panel customers with deposit protection and insurance schemes.

The rating demonstrates the high quality of service provided by Solarlec, which was set up in 2009. The company, which supplies solar PV systems to homes and businesses across the UK, received a 99% rating for 2010.

Solarlec director Ged Rowbottom said: “‘We’re delighted to have received a fantastic customer satisfaction rating two years running – the latest award is a remarkable achievement in light of the fact we had our busiest year ever installing  14,881 solar panels, on top of immense pressure to meet Government imposed deadlines.

“This is a testament to the commitment, enthusiasm and hard work of all the staff here at Solarlec.”

Miss Headley, a Solarlec customer from Great Harwood, Lancashire, said: “Solarlec offer great service from start to finish with a friendly sales team who don’t pressurise you into buying.

“The surveyor spoke in plain English and the installation team was prompt, friendly, efficient and cleaned up after themselves. The scaffolding team was on time and efficient too – all in all, a very pleasant experience indeed.”

For more information, visit www.solarlec.com or call 0800 022 4083.

Kate with Solarlec directors Nick Keighley and Simon Bland

TV presenter Kate Humble has chosen Burnley solar panel company Solarlec to install solar PV panels on the roof of her Monmouthshire farm.

Springwatch presenter Kate is now producing renewable energy on the farm, which is set to be used as a training centre to teach rural skills and animal husbandry.

She will also see reduced energy bills and regular cash back payments thanks to government subsidies paid out to homeowners and businesses generating their own green energy through solar panels.

Solarlec’s installation team, which covers the whole of the UK, fitted the panels onto Kate’s farm this week.

Kate said: “I am a firm believer in the need for all of us to adopt sustainable sources of energy wherever possible so the barn roofs at the farm gave me the perfect opportunity to look at PV panels.

“Thanks to the advice and expertise of Solarlec, the farm is now producing its own renewable energy and I can practise what I preach!”

Solarlec director Ged Rowbottom said: “Kate’s installation was completed in a day and the panels are already performing to a high level – we’re thrilled to have been able to help Kate achieve a sustainable energy source for the farm.”

Solarlec has expanded its installation capacity after announcing a £12m turnover for 2011. The company, which was named Small Business of the Year 2011, installs more than 1,200 panels every month across the UK. For more information, visit www.solarlec.com

Celebrity Big Brother winner and Loose Woman Denise Welch has gone green by installing solar panels on the roof of her Cheshire home.

Denise, who has hit the headlines after being crowned winner of this year’s Celebrity Big Brother, has had 16 solar photovoltaic panels fitted onto her roof by Burnley company Solarlec.

Denise and husband Tim Healy said it was their son who persuaded them to take the plunge and start generating their own green energy.

Denise said: “Our son has been nagging us to get solar panels installed for ages so we finally decided to go for it – we’re really delighted with the panels, we’re saving on our bills and earning through the feed-in tariff as well.

“I never thought I’d be the first Loose Woman to go green!”

Solarlec, based at Billington Road Industrial Estate, was named Small Business of the Year for 2011.

Burnley solar panel company Solarlec has expanded its installation capacity after announcing a £12m turnover for last year.

Solarlec, who predicted a turnover of £7m earlier in the year, has recruited further staff to its installation teams after experiencing a sharp rise in demand for solar installations towards the end of 2011 following the failure of government plans to reduce the subsidies paid to homeowners who generate their own energy through solar panels.

The company, which sold more than 1,000 solar systems last year, has fitting teams working across the UK to complete the majority of solar panel installations within a day. The extra staff will enable Solarlec to take on a higher volume of projects, including large scale commercial installations.

The surge in demand for solar panels came last November after the government announced plans to halve payments made to households and businesses who generate their own renewable energy through solar panels.

Last month, the Court of Appeal ruled that the government acted unlawfully by introducing the lower rate before the end of the consultation period, so the high rate is potentially still available for systems registered by 3 March 2012, subject to a further government appeal.

Solarlec director Ged Rowbottom said: “Creating local jobs and making a positive impact on Burnley’s economic outlook is a fundamental part of our business. Despite a difficult financial climate and challenging circumstances throughout 2011 we were able to build a strong and constantly evolving business – we look forward to a successful 2012.”

Burnley solar panel company Solarlec is experiencing a gold rush after the government lost its second appeal to reduce subsidies paid to consumers.

Last week the Court of Appeal ruled that the government acted unlawfully by attempting to reduce the feed-in tariff ahead of the original April deadline.

This has left consumers with a possible window of opportunity to take advantage of cheaper panel prices, as the feed-in tariff may remain at its highest ever rate, before it is halved on 3 March. Consumers who buy now will potentially secure the high rate for 25 years.

The government will launch a third appeal with the Supreme Court, but insiders predict it will be unsuccessful.

Ged Rowbottom, director at Solarlec, said: “Right now there is an unbelievable opportunity to take advantage of the fantastic deals on panels and have the potential of receiving the higher subsidiary.”

Insiders predict the tariff rate will drop further on 31 March.

Solarlec has announced capacity to complete 150 installations between now and the 3 March deadline.

Ged added: “Orders are coming in thick and fast following the failure of the government appeal last week – we advise homeowners and businesses to buy now to avoid disappointment.”