SCOTTISH SOLAR COMPANY WINS TOP AWARDGlasgow company SPV Energy has been awarded the title of ‘Solar PV Installer of the Year’ at the Scottish Regional Energy Efficiency & Retrofit Awards, part of the UK awards for the energy saving and efficiency sector.

The announcement comes as the UK industry this week welcomed Chancellor George Osborne’s decision to amend the Finance Bill giving the Treasury the power to overturn the EU’s VAT rules forcing solar panel providers to pay an increase of 5% VAT to 20% in August this year.

Commercial Director Jim O’Brien and partner John Gorman run the Shettleston-based company which was responsible for the installation of 4,000 solar PV panels on the 700 sustainable energy homes at the Athletes Village in the city’s East End.

The Athletes Village, which recently won ‘Best Green Initiative’ at the Homes for Scotland Awards, has generated a Feed-In-Tariff of around £135,000 per annum.

The company, which was also nominated for RHI Installer and Large Scale Project categories, will now be considered for the UK title at an awards ceremony to be held in Birmingham, hosted by Joanna Lumley OBE, in September.

Commenting on the award Jim O’Brien, Commercial Director, SPV Energy, said: “It’s a fantastic achievement for the business and all our staff especially when the industry has gone through so much change in the past year or so. We are a challenger brand within the energy sector and are proud of the work we have delivered on behalf of householders, Housing Associations and commercial clients. We firmly believe in sustainable growth within the sector and despite the reduction of incentives, homeowners are keen to explore ways to reduce their energy bills as budgets continue to be challenged and solar PV panels are just one way we can achieve this.

“We have ambitious plans to develop the business further by offering other energy saving products and services and are considering opening a new Highlands office

to develop our biomass heating systems for large commercial buildings especially within the agricultural sector which is experiencing positive growth.”

Further information is available from www.solarpvenergysolutions.co.uk