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New Idea

A solar survey app that has been approved for sale on iTunes. The UK Solar Survey app for UK home owners uses the iPhone to do a "self survey" and see if energy consumption, orientation, shading, roof space and application are correct for PV. Consumers enter details about their property and use their finger to draw the obstructions and shading on the roof space, then the software's algorithms do the rest.

Andy Proctor, creator of the app, saw the iPhone as the best platform with it's built in compass and access to customers interested in PV with iTunes.

The benefit is an independent result that you can then compare with your quote from a PV company and interrogate the quote, the company and the price.

You can also check out the feasibility before contacting an installer, as well as selecting to have MCS installers contact you after seeing your results, should you choose to offer this information to the installers on the UK Solar Survey database of installers.

The UK Solar Survey website has more information and the app can be downloaded on iTunes.

The android and web-based version are due out Q4 of 2011

www.uksolarsurvey.co.uk

China announces incentive reform

China announces incentive reform »

Thursday 2nd February 2012

According to media reports the Ministry of Finance in China has decided to cut incentives for PV installations. Grid connected installations were part of the government's Golden Sun program and the decision has been reached to reduce the tariff to 8 yuan a watt for projects approved last year and 7 yuan for projects that can be completed by the end of this year. This is a 11% drop from current offerings.


The Ministry cited multiple reasons for the decision including the oversupply of product in China as well as a decline in key markets. Another factor was a decline in component costs cutting profit margins and forcing some companies to run at a loss.


Unlike other countries recently changing their subsidies, the Chinese government have offered a clear path for those worse affected. Companies who find the going to tough in the new subsidy range can apply to have projects or amended if they cannot survive under the new proposal.


This does not affect off-grid projects and the government has said that any changes here will be made at a later date. With such a vast amount of the country still relatively isolated the off grid projects are key to the governments future plans.

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