One of the bigger challenges for clean and renewable energy has always been in cost. More often than not, the high cost has far outweighed the benefits of change, but this is something that is changing extremely quickly.

One of the more prominent energy sources that could be available in the very near future is hydrogen, as a recent £10 million plan had been announced in the UK to find the viability. However, there are also changes in bigger markets, as countries such as China have started to increase emission production once again following the pandemic.

Many are looking to China as the country with the catalyst for change. As the largest greenhouse gas emitter, decarbonising is paramount to prevent climate change, but the falling costs of wind and solar could be the substance for improvement.

Alongside this, the advancements of energy storage have also made building clean power solutions a very viable option. COVID-19 had sparked a global emission drop, with China’s contribution dropping by an estimated 25% – smart policy choices moving forward in the region could be a key identifier that attitudes towards energy are changing on a global scale.

There are still plenty of changes to come too, that may advance clean energy further still. Recent breakthroughs in solar could see both capacity and effectiveness increase massively, and the previously mentioned hydrogen trial in the UK could solve the natural gas issue. Furthermore, other recent announcements, such as one of the last coal mines in the UK closing, show that change is already underway.

Current goals include aiming for a net zero by 2050, with a dramatic reduction in carbon emissions by 2030 for many. Falling prices could mean that we see these goals met much earlier, and this may become particularly clear in the coming months as a focus on a clean recovery from the pandemic continues.

Get in touch with our experts today to find out which cost effective clean energy sources are available to you. You can also explore our energy efficiency options including solar PV, LED lighting, battery storage, or heating solutions – all of which Utility Trade Group can help to guide you through the process, from start to finish.

The start of the year has sustained a tough time for domestic renewables, as the solar industry in particular had been hit hard.

In April, the MCS found that 90% of solar installers had taken a hit due to the Covid-19pandemic, with a number of issues including supply of panels, cautious customers, and postponements being the biggest factors contributing to the slow down.

There had been some early signs of recovery, however. We had recently covered how there had been a small recovery in the market as the UK energy demand fell, and a very bright start to the summer had certainly helped. However, it appears that other factors are also starting to aid in the recovery – May had shown figures for installations increasing by up to 37%, a trend that has seemingly continued.

Between May and June, there had been a very high uptake in solar PV installations – jumping 185% in June compared to May in comparison to the standard averages. That said, renewable energy installations as a whole have been finding their footing and witnessing a spike of 167% compared to the month before.

There a number of reasons for this growth, with one of the more pressing contributions being a renewed focus on clean energy following the pandemic and lockdown. There had been calls early on for a focus on a green recovery after the initial impacts of the lockdown environmentally were realised, and it had seemed that call was answered with many measures being put in place to ensure this happened.

Similarly, a growing trend of home improvement could also be a likely cause here. DIY had seen a marked recovery as those out of work and in lockdown had sought to use this time at home.

If you would like to be part of the changing movement for green and clean energy solutions, you can explore how solar PV or other renewable energy sources can save you money. Get in contact with our experts today to have them guide you through the steps.

Here at Utility Trade, we’re committed to helping you find the best possible energy deals on the market.

We recently covered a piece outlining the true cost of not choosing the right energy provider, but what are some of the fundamental reasons to change?

Savings are available

One of the main reasons many of us don’t change our energy provider, is that we’re happy with the current supplier we’re using. Research suggests businesses in the UK are spending £29.1 billion on energy every year, and with changes many could find significant cost reductions by changing energy supplier on a more regular basis. Although your average save may be lower than some others, the opportunity is certainly there to cut your businesses energy bill.

It’s much easier than you think

Another of the core reasons why change isn’t as commonplace as it might be, is the myth surrounding how difficult it is to do so. In fact, research by Which? found that 1/5th of people thought that changing energy providers would be too much work and not worth the hassle. In reality, making the change can just take a few minutes and Utility Trade Group can offer plenty of advice on how to switch.

Your good deal may not be the cheapest

You may have been offered a great deal when initially signing up, but regular tariff changes could mean that this same deal isn’t as good as it once was. Similarly, when your deal ends, you’ll likely be automatically placed on to the energy suppliers default variable tariff, which is typically more expensive. Keep an eye on when your fixed tariff is coming to an end and use that opportunity to find what else the market has to offer.

There are many differences between energy suppliers

In a survey by Which?, 22% of people surveyed had said that the lack of differences between energy suppliers had been a reason to not make the change. However, with over 40 different suppliers in the UK, there are huge differences in price and customer satisfaction, with a 41% point difference between the top and bottom UK suppliers.

Regularly switching keeps you informed in the market

With a busy life schedule, it can be difficult to stay on top of everything going on, but energy is moving very quickly, and changes are occuring on a regular basis. By switching regularly, you’re able to stay informed on market variables and possible opportunities found in growing areas, such as renewable tariffs and subsidies.

Utility Trade are experts in the field of energy procurement. We find an attractive proposition that suits you and not the provider. Our process is simple, streamlined and will get you more for your money. Get in touch today.

The start of the year had a significant impact in moving our goals for net zero forward – so much so, that we covered a piece looking at how global emissions were expected to fall during the pandemic.

That being said, there were also some concerns that many of the changes could be short lived, as life started to get back to normal.

However, reading between the lines, it would appear that this may be too harsh a statement and that in fact, many of these changes may have greater longevity. The *latest data released indicates that renewable sources contributed to 47% of the UK’s energy generation between January and March of this year, with the leading surge coming from wind power. Similar news also suggests the same to be true, running from March to June. Whilst there had been some hypotheses suggesting that energy use may be lower because of pandemic, a report also indicated demand had also fallen before any restrictions were put into place.

There has been increasing pressure to ensure this trend continues – as the UK starts to ease many lockdown measures, with businesses reopening and getting back on track, the expectation is that demand will start to increase once again. To offset this however, there has been plenty of movement in the renewable energy space, as a growing number of offshore wind farms set to power millions of homes come to the fore. Furthermore, there are growing possibilities in alternative forms of clean energy, such as hydrogen, which is also seeing a surge in popularity.

The next few months are likely to be crucial. Undoing all of the hard work in recent months is still a very distinct possibility if safe practices aren’t observed – growing on the existing plans is certainly a great first step for ensuring that net zero remains on track. Recent introductions of plans including the Green Homes Grant scheme will certainly play their part in helping here too.

You can discover our range of energy efficiency options to do your part in helping reach the net zero goal or get in contact with our experts to find out which solutions may work best for you.

Hydrogen as a renewable energy source is quickly growing in popularity, as more efficient and cheaper methods of production are being discovered.

We recently reviewed the core areas where these changes are happening, and how cost effective hydrogen as a renewable source could become widely available by 2030. That said, the National Grid is planning a test run for hydrogen that could see the introduction come much sooner.

A £10 million plan has been announced for a facility to be built in the North West of England to test how hydrogen could be used primarily for heating homes. Heating had been suggested as one of the primary uses for hydrogen as a product – similar sectors have been difficult to decarbonise as a result of the importance of the gas networks in the country. A successful trial here could be crucial in efforts to deliver a low carbon solution.

The test will be kept in a controlled environment, entirely separate from the main national grid to ensure there won’t be any risk to the existing network. If funding is provided by Ofgem, the company plans to start construction in 2021, with the testing scheduled to begin the year after. This would entail a partnership with Northern Gas Networks and Belgium’s gas network, Fluxys.

The project director for Hydrogen at the National Grid, Anthony Green, stated “If we truly want to reach a net zero decarbonised future, we need to replace methane with green alternatives like hydrogen.”

However, there are still some obstacles to overcome, as noted in some of our recent posts. Costs still need to substantially reduce for it to be a viable alternative, and methods to produce hydrogen cleanly also need to be expanded upon to increase  feasibility. Given 85% of homes and 40% of the UK’s power is currently supplied by gas, however, there is certainly a huge opportunity for hydrogen to be successful.

Utility Trade offers a whole host of renewable energy resources – all of which are cost-efficient and environmentally friendly. Our experienced Account Managers can guide you through the process and help you to decide which is the best solution for you. Get in touch today to find out more.

We understand that a shift to clean energy alternatives may be somewhat difficult, as costs can often remain high and the installation can take time. Furthermore, the industry is constantly evolving, but there may be some good news on the horizon – we’ve recently covered the announced package to improve energy efficiency in our homes. 

Better still, a recent focus has been placed on subsidies for clean energy users once again.

A renewed focus is being placed on a clean energy recovery, as we hopefully begin our transition out of the Covid-19 pandemic. It appears that, particularly across Europe, additional attention is being paid towards the subsidies offered to those willing to change to clean energy solutions.

At present, it seems Germany is leading the way with their €130 billion package to recover from the virus, with a staggering €42 billion being allocated for renewable energy. With a particular focus on electric vehicles, it has been suggested that most of this focus has been placed on lower-end EVs and not the more premium brands, such as Tesla.

Similar adjustments in subsidies had already been announced in the UK for wind, as a major overhaul to onshore wind subsidies were made,. Furthermore, with the majority of Europe now announcing plans for future clean energy subsidies, it is expected that the UK will look to do the same, as it continues its own approach to prioritising a clean recovery.

This year has already seen big announcements for future plans surrounding clean alternatives – something we had recently covered, with the growing number of large onshore and offshore wind farms being used to power millions of homes. Aside from this, significant steps have been taken towards solar and hydrogen as an energy source.

With a growing number of subsidy options available, there’s no better time to make a change to a clean energy alternative – whether that be through solar energy, LED lighting, battery storage, or many of the other renewable energy options available to you.

To better understand these energy efficiency services or the subsidies you may have access to, contact one of our experts to help guide you through the process.

Utility Trade Group are big advocates of the use of solar energy, given our own solar PV solutions, as well as our recent article on how a very bright summer has led to a huge boon for solar energy. Two recent breakthroughs in solar technology could vastly change the effectiveness of this type of energy and create a powerhouse in renewable energy sources.

The first big change comes in the materials that may be used to create solar panels. Current commercial cells are made of silicon and whilst fit for purpose, they do have their restrictions – namely that they are heavy and limited in size. As such, scaling up can be very difficult.

A new material, called perovskites, could be used for the next generation of solar panels and is more flexible, lightweight, and cheaper to produce than the silicon alternatives. The hope is that these panels can be scaled up whilst retaining efficiency – the current benchmark has been a 22.4cm panel achieving 16.6% efficiency. This is very high for a panel of that size, with it maintaining that performance over a 2,000 hour testing period.

The second breakthrough could be much more impactful, however, as it tackles the way we harvest energy from the sun. The current method relies on the photovoltaic effect, which captures visible light that we then turn into electricity. This new breakthrough may allow us to harvest energy from non-visible light.

The spectrum of light that the sun emits is quite broad, but with a step forward in material usage, and the addition of tiny semiconductors known as quantum dots, this could allow us to capture the previously unusable invisible light and capture that energy. This change could see solar panel efficiency really improve in coming years.

Many of these changes will be a little time away however, but that doesn’t mean you can’t reap the benefits of the current offerings. You can explore our Solar PV solutions for both business and home or get in touch with us today to find out how we can help you on your path to net zero.

Having to temporarily close your business during the Covid-19 pandemic, or indeed having started trading again, could both have a significant impact on your energy bills. In a recent post we covered the true cost of not using the right energy provider and how many homeowners are overcharged for energy use at home.

The same can also be true for your business – whilst some of these reasons may involve a lapse in judgement on your own behalf, other factors may be likened to a lack of insight from a third party too.

So how can you identify if you’re overpaying for your energy?

Wasted energy – Recent research suggests that businesses are paying around £60 million in excess energy bills per year as a result of energy wastage. Fortunately there are a number of ways you can stay on top of this – remote monitoring solutions are amongst the options available to ensure you’re able to manage your energy efficiently.

Incorrect charges – Business rates can often be very complicated and leave a significant gap for errors. If it’s not something that you’re able to regularly check, you may be overpaying in some areas of your energy bill that you had previously not considered. This may well read true if you’ve spent the lockdown period with your doors closed – fortunately incorrect charges can be recovered up to six years after, giving you time to take a deep dive into your energy costs and find where any discrepancies may lie.

Losing track of the market – Similar to the example given for homeowners, not staying on top of energy products and suppliers could mean you’re not getting the best deal available on the market. Regularly changing supplier can ensure you get the best deal around and looking ahead a few months before your current energy contract expires could give you a better bargaining position when it comes to price. This could involve remaining with your existing supplier or looking to move elsewhere.

Here are Utility Trade we endeavor to ensure you’re getting the best deal possible and offer solutions for monitoring your energy usage. Furthermore, as we’re independent, we seek the best value for you as a customer, and not the supplier. Get in contact with one of our experts today to see if we can help you save money on your energy bill.

We recently took a look at the plan announced by Rishi Sunak to support homeowners in their bid to help the UK reach its goal of net zero – but a renewed focus on upgrading homes to become more energy efficient may not be the only answer for homeowners looking to save money. A recent report suggests that over £8.9 billion is wasted per year by not switching energy provider.

The home setup service, Just Move In, had conducted research suggesting that homeowners may be overpaying for their energy bills, as many are reluctant to change their energy providers. This research shows that just 5.2% of UK households have changed energy suppliers during the past year, leaving 25.6 million homes on the same energy deal. The research also suggests that, on average, a household could save up to £350 per year by regularly changing their energy supplier and seeking better offers and rates.

Furthermore, there is a clear indication as to which regions were losing the most as a result of this lack of shopping around. The South East topped the list, where up to 3.5 million homes could be saving up to £1.2 billion per year, London equated to more than £1.1 billion in overpayments, and the North West another £1 billion. For many, price is no longer the most important factor behind their provider and may account for just 5.2% that have changed in the past year.

With a renewed focus on clean energy alternatives, there are many options available to homeowners that don’t directly require a change in energy provider. It has been suggested that many prioritise other factors, such as the quality of the service or environmental footprint. Here at Utility Trade Group, we offer a number of clean energy alternatives that could help you cut down on your energy bill – from solar energy, LED lighting, and infrared heating amongst others.

If you’d like to explore all of the options available to you, check out our energy efficiency alternatives for both home and business or get in touch with us today to find out more about what we can offer you.

The plan to provide vouchers to ensure energy efficiency in British homes has been very well received, but it was only a small part of the environmentally friendly approach to economic recovery that Rishi Sunak announced.

Additional funding had been approached to help green energy technologies too – something that has been well received across the board.

This latest swathe of eco-friendly funding is focused on many different sectors, so as to ensure as many can benefit from the funding as possible. In addition to the £5 billion that had been allocated to fund green technologies, carbon capture and conservation projects, plans include an additional £1 billion which will go towards retrofitting public buildings. These are likely to include schools and hospitals, and the plan should greatly help to reduce carbon emissions alongside the changes coming to homes.

A further £50 million pilot scheme had also been announced – aimed at decarbonising social housing through methods similar to those used for energy efficiency in homes across the UK.

The other focus has been in job creation within green industries – part of the new £40 million investment for the Green Jobs Challenge Fund, which will support environmental charities and local authorities to work on conservation projects. This grant comes alongside other updates within the renewable energy industry, amidst plans to expand on renewable sources. These include the recently announced offshore wind farm and how this will continue to aid in producing jobs within clean energy – pushing the environmental focus on the economic recovery.

That said, it hasn’t been met with entirely positive feedback. There are those who have claimed these initiatives lack ambition, and that although these changes are being made, there are concerns around existing programmes that could contradict the efforts being made here.

If you’re unsure what the best solutions to help your approach to net zero may be, you can contact us today and one of our experts can help guide you on your path to clean energy. Furthermore, you can also register here for updates on the Chancellor’s ever-evolving schemes and seek expert advice on the funding and grants available to you and your business.

Ofgem recently unveiled their £25 billion green investment plan, set to roll out over the next five years, in a bid to prepare Britain’s energy infrastructure for a low-carbon future.

However, many energy companies have suggested this could in fact be putting the country’s climate goals at risk. Given the divided opinion, we analyse whether these plans are helpful or harmful in the desire for a net zero in 2050.

The plan that Ofgem has outlined is aimed at offering a fairer deal for the consumer by reducing investor returns. This is currently expected to be reduced to 3.95%, from the current 7% to 8% – meaning that consumers will pay less for their energy bills. As a result, more of what is paid will go towards improving existing infrastructure and offering further upgrades to Britain’s renewable energy grid. Furthermore, there is an overriding goal of improving the electric vehicle charging and grid infrastructure – thus ensuring a positive outlook for renewable energy as a whole.

Energy companies have suggested this may have the opposite effect however, as a few concerns had been raised. The first suggests that by lowering the returns share for investors, it could slow the pace for Britain’s energy transition, as it may make the market less attractive to investors who are likely to receive less.

The second concern raised is over Ofgem’s decision to cut total investment allowed in new electricity grid projects, as this could also slow the goal to reach net zero. The estimated £5.9bn to £9.1bn falls below the proposed £10.8bn that may be needed to reach energy demands from increasing numbers of electric cars, hobs, and heat pumps on the network.

It has been suggested that these savings are short term, as they aim to reduce consumer energy bills by £20 per household in 2021, with the long term expectation being it may reduce bills by £100 a year in the future.

If you’re looking to reduce your reliance on the grid either at home or in the workplace, here at Utility Trade Group we offer a number of energy efficient solutions to offset your energy needs. Get in touch with us today to discover how we can help you reduce your bills as well as improve your energy efficiency across the board.

Recently we covered a piece focused around green hydrogen production and how Wales may be on track to leading the push for this energy source.

This applies particularly in transportation and heating, with a recent report from the Hydrogen Council suggesting that this shift may come much faster than anticipated. Furthermore, it is likely to be more widespread than previously thought, with initial predictions suggesting the costs of producing green hydrogen could drop by up to 60% by 2030.

The reducing costs are as the result of two important factors. The first is attributed to the method of producing green hydrogen, which comes as a current is passed through water in a process known as electrolysis. However, this process requires a lot of energy from renewable sources to remain a green production. That said, the expansion of many renewable energy sources across Europe should play its part in helping to reduce the cost of producing green hydrogen.

As the platform that allows the production of green hydrogen continues to grow, it spurs the second change that should assist the growth further. Existing technologies are scaling up to allow for more production, which should in turn bring costs down. The biggest industries this is likely to help include sectors such as steel production and heating, with 9 cases outlined where performance can be improved – for example in heavy-duty transport and trains.

The Hydrogen Council have also suggested the next stage to helping the growth will be to improve infrastructure, particularly around storage. The Chairman of the Hydrogen Council has claimed that, “A clean energy future with hydrogen is closer than we think, because the industry has been working hard on addressing key technology challenges.”

There are a whole range of clean and renewable energy solutions available for both home and business applications. You can explore the options we have to offer at Utility Trade Group, or get in contact with us to see how we can help you reach your own net zero or goals, as the UK continues to push towards an environmental recovery alongside the economic recovery.

Here at Utility Trade Group, we’re always invested in discovering new clean energy options and have recently covered why flexible energy systems are so important in ensuring the UK reaches its net zero goal by 2050.

However, as established clean energy systems fall into place, it has become increasingly difficult for others to emerge, but one such method may be finding a foothold.

One source has been found in hydrogen as a potential clean solution to fossil fuels, primarily in heating and transport options. One of the leaders of the industry in Wales is looking to grow their hydrogen energy industry as a strong infrastructure base, resource, and research centre – and this could be the catalyst in leading the way for the Welsh government to push hydrogen as a major source of clean energy. That said, it could also pave the way for others to follow.

In order to be successful, there needs to be a way to create green hydrogen, with one of the many strategies involving electrolysis. This requires an existing plentiful source of renewable energy, such as wind or solar, with the process involving passing a current through water to split it into its component parts of oxygen and hydrogen. The hydrogen can then be stored at scale to be distributed for a range of purposes, including heating or transport.

Whilst Wales may be looking to lead the way in this industry, with recent plans announced to expand on the existing UK clean energy platform, the potential is certainly there. There is an existing clean energy network to help push forward a strategy for clean hydrogen, and the potential for a new and emerging clean energy solution in areas where it had typically been difficult before.

Whilst clean hydrogen may not be an option for you, there are many other clean energy efficiency solutions available for both home or business. You can contact us today to explore the growing number of options accessible to you, and our Account Managers will help you decide on which best suits your needs and requirement

It was recently announced that the UK would launch a scheme to encourage homeowners to make changes for greater energy efficiency.

We’ve recently covered how homes within the UK, especially older ones, typically have issues with energy efficiency and 15% of all GHG emissions within the UK come from homes with properties in this regard. As such, the news of this plan is very welcome.

There’s still plenty that isn’t known about the scheme yet, as it isn’t set to launch until September – the finer details still need to be ironed out, but there is some information for the £2 billion green home upgrades plan that is set to launch.

The first is what will be available with the grant. This could include vouchers reaching values of up to £5,000, with these vouchers then covering green improvements such as insulation for loft, wall and floor. Furthermore, there are some suggestions that double glazing may also be included, but other upgrades such as new boilers won’t be. Additionally, there isn’t any news on whether or not other green upgrades could become available, including solar panels, but this could be a possibility.

As for how these vouchers will work – there’s currently no information on whether there will be an income based restriction or not. The current understanding is that all homeowners and landlords will be considered, but whether your home will quality or not will be the defining factor.

The vouchers are set to cover up to two-thirds of the cost of the improvement, with the aforementioned limit being around £5,000. For example, if the cost of installing insulation were to be £4,000, the homeowner or landlord would only need to cover around £1,300, with the government contributing the remaining £2,700 through the voucher. The remaining 1/3 of costs can be covered by one of the fantastic financing options that we have here at Utility Trade Group. We offer a number of solutions that are tailored to your needs and requirements, and our experienced Account Managers can guide you through the process seamlessly.

To keep updated on the Green Homes Grant Scheme – simply register here and Utility Trade Group will keep you posted on any developments, as and when we get them.

If you’d like to explore other home improvement options that may fit into this green homes grant, or are looking to make changes regardless, you can explore our energy efficiency options for your home or get in contact with us today to find out how we can support you in reaching your green energy goals.

1.95 million homes are set to be powers by an offshore wind farm, in what is a monumental success for the renewable energy resource.

Wind farms have been a controversial topic since the larger farms have started to emerge, with many claiming they have a detrimental impact on the aesthetics of the surrounding area. However, as the benefits of this clean and renewable energy resource are being realised, more and more the visual argument is slowly fading. Furthermore, there is great news for wind power, as two big farms have had their plans approved by Boris Johnson’s Government.

The first is a 1.8 gigawatt offshore wind farm – the Norfolk Vanguard Project. Being built 30 miles offshore, the wind farm will consist of between 90 to 180 turbines and will power 1.95 million homes once complete, creating 400 jobs throughout the course of construction. A report suggested that there had been concerns over the landscape in an ongoing battle between aesthetics and energy return, but it seems the huge amount of clean energy generated outweighs the adverse impacts.

The second comes in the form of a 50-turbine farm confirmed for southern Scotland, that is set to be up and running by 2023. It will be the largest onshore wind farm within the UK, powering approximately 170,000 UK homes and saving nearly 300,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually. Despite its hefty price tag of around £320 million, it is also the most cost effective onshore energy solution.

Our recent post outlined the increasing pressures being placed on the government to ensure an environmental recovery as we come out of the ongoing pandemic. Both are credited as being huge wins in the clean energy movement and the overall goal of reaching a net zero carbon footprint by 2050. Furthermore, this is a significant step forward in reaching the 40 gigawatts offshore wind target by 2030, laid out by the government.

If you would like to explore the clean energy options available to you to help reach the UK’s 2050 net zero goal, we have options available for both home and business – get in touch with us today to explore the options best suited to your goals.

Utility Trade Group are delighted to announce the Government’s plan to help British homeowners make their houses more energy efficient.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak has unveiled a £3bn package to support homeowners in their bid to do their bit in the net zero goal.

£10,000 will be made available for some of the lower income households in the UK in part of a Green Homes Grant scheme, with improvements to energy efficiency being at the forefront of its purpose. Furthermore, the scheme will boost the economy within the relevant trades, as those working in the construction sector likely to see increases in demand for their services.

As a proud provider of renewable energy initiatives, Utility Trade Group are delighted with the initiative – we believe it is a comprehensive plan that has energy recovery at its heart. The grant provides easier access to all aspects of renewable energy for households across the UK, including the whole host of solutions that we offer – Solar PV, Far Infrared Heating, LED Lighting and much more.

The scheme is a world-leading initiative, and one that is designed to help households not only reduce their carbon footprint, but their costs too. It is split into two, with £2bn promised for green homes, and the remaining £1bn for insulating public buildings – meaning the scheme has exceptional benefits for both domestic and commercial users alike.

In addition to assisting you with access to the grant, Utility Trade Group can assist with a whole array of financial solutions designed to reduce the initial outlay on renewable energy resources for both businesses and households alike. Furthermore, we can guide you through the process and give educated advice on which is the best solution and financial package for you – designed to help you reduce costs and lower your carbon footprint in the long run.

More information will be available as the scheme is rolled out in September, but this is a fantastic solution that will help us all do our bit in achieving the net zero goal.

You can click here to register now, and by doing so, we’ll keep you up-to-date with any progress, so you don’t miss out.

With Boris Johnson’s recent relaxing of the lockdown rules in the UK, the hospitality sector is beginning to open up in the UK.

Pubs, bars, restaurants and hotels are now beginning to operate within the ‘new normal’ constraints, meaning punters will need to socially distance in venues, be in smaller groups, and spend a lot of their time outside.

In perfect timing for this, one of our core suppliers at Utility Trade Group, Herschel, have announced a new outdoor heating range. The range includes a section of freestanding, wall-mounting, and celling mountain solutions – a perfect mix of design and ingenuity for the businesses across the UK who are looking to adapt to the ‘new normal’.

With people expected to socially distance in hospitality venues, outside seating is a must – and as a result, Herschel’s new range fits perfectly with the new constraints within which this sector will need to operate. Boasting an already industry leading range, Herschel have added the following to their selection:

·      Herschel Florida – a 2KW freestanding patio heater

·      Herschel Hawaii – a 2KW suspended heater with a remote control

·      Herschel Manhattan – a 3KW heater with a remote control, perfect for restaurant terraces

·      Herschel Havana – an 800W portable, under-table heater

·      Herschel Miami – a 2KW compact heater, ideal for parasols

·      Herschel Summit R – a 2.6KW zero light heater with a remote control.

Described as “high quality with excellent aesthetics and product functionality”, these new products are ideal for businesses who’s ‘new normal’ will involve serving their customers in an outside environment.

Furthermore, these products are also perfect for domestic users – especially as the way that people live their lives evolves with the changing way of the world. Ideal for outdoor events at home, Herschel’s products have a sleek and stylish look that fits in with the outdoor décor of your home.

Top class products at competitive prices, Utility Trade Group can help you find the perfect outdoor heating solution for your business. Get in touch today to see how we can help you find the right product at the right price.

Net Zero is something that is at the forefront of our minds here at Utility Trade Group, with the transition to renewable energy a vital string to the bow.

The demand for renewable energy is on the rise, and this is likely to continue after Rishi Sunak’s announcement that households will be offered a £10,000 grant to make their homes more energy efficient.

Solar energy is just one cog of the renewable energy wheel but is a vital one at that – our recent blog post outlining the 1 Megawatt of power we’ve generated in a year is perfect evidence of that. That said, there is still an aura of scepticism around the true benefits this product can bring, and a number of myths that are associated with it.

Below, we analyse 3 of the most popular ones:

Solar Panels do not work in cold or snowy conditions 

This is factually incorrect – solar panels work in all different types of weather conditions. Cold and wintery days generate the same amount of energy as their warm and sunny counterparts, and cloudy weather has no bearing on the amount they can generate. Furthermore, a study has recently shown that solar panels are actually more effective in cooler climates than warmer ones – perfect for just the times you’re most likely to need to need them.

Installing Solar Panels costs a lot of money and requires a lot of time

As long as you’re using a reputable manufacturer, such as the ones we use at Utility Trade Group, solar panel installation is simple, straight forward, and cost-effective. The panels are constructed and installed in such a way that they can operate in harsh weather and remain effective throughout. Furthermore, solar panels actually preserve the portion of the roof that they cover and are easily installed and removed.

Solar Panel prices are based on the size of your home

Again, another common myth that is circulated on the topic of solar panels, is that they cost more with the bigger home that you have. This is incorrect – in fact, pricing and requirements are based on the needs of the homeowner, as well as the surrounding areas of the home. If your home has easy access to sunlight and is not obstructed, then the cost of fitting these to a large home will be very similar to that of a small one.

Utility Trade Group are experts in the Solar PV field, and have successfully fitted hundreds of solar panels. Furthermore, we offer a whole host of different financing options, and our experienced Account Managers can guide you through the process – identifying the most suitable Solar PV and finance solution for you. Get in touch today.

With the recent COP26, a UN conference on climate change, being pushed back an entire year, the climate Ambition Alliance has launched a campaign called the Race To Zero.

This follows a number of recent stories we have covered with business leaders within the UK calling for a green recovery alongside a renewed focus for clean energy as a whole.

What is it, and what are the criteria? – In short the campaign is aimed at business, countries, and other entities to accelerate plans to reach a goal of net zero earlier than previously outlined dates by ensuring changes are made immediately. In order to achieve this, some criteria for participation has been agreed upon;

Pledge – At the head of organisation level, pledge to reach net zero in the 2040’s or sooner, or by mid-century at least, alongside global efforts to reduce warming by 1.5C.

Plan – Explain what steps you will be taking to reach this goal, with shorter to medium term goals especially. Set interim targets over the next decade to reflect a 50% global CO2 reduction by 2030.

Proceed – Take immediate action towards achieving this goal, whilst consistently delivering on interim targets.

Publish – Commit to reporting changes and success at least annually, where possible to the platforms that feed into the UNFCCC.

If you are interested, you’re able to find the expanded criteria list here which goes into a little more detail around what the requirements are and what expectations need to be met, with mentions being toward offsetting practices and other factors that may influence your approach. It’s clear that the goal is to push the net zero initiative a little faster than previously intended, however, as the goal within the UK had been set for 2050 – this also comes at a time where experts warn of a bit of a step backwards as countries across the world start recovery from the impact of COVID-19.

If successful, this campaign may be a catalyst for change pushing net zero goals much faster, something that we here at Utility Trade Group fully support. If you want to explore options available for your own race to zero, then please get in contact with us today.

Following the coronavirus pandemic, we’re now beginning to see a renewed focus on preventing climate change, as some sectors are performing well despite the challenges.

One core area is electric vehicle usage, something we touched upon in an article on the increasing demand found in EVs recently. Furthermore, the launch of free advice surgeries from UK power networks could see this demand grow further still.

In the areas currently covered there are more than 80,000 EVs, a figure set to rise to 3.6 million by 2030. This may be accelerated as recent efforts have been taken to reach a net zero goal sooner. The rising demand for electric vehicles means that in the same area, there are a total of 4,749 on street EV charging stations.

As a result, and to meet the growing demand of these vehicles, the infrastructure needs to be in place to ensure users can reliably charge – something the free advice surgery aims to help with. Furthermore, it is expected that smarter decisions can be made to ensure that this infrastructure can be rolled out in time to meet the demand.

Experts from the team will help local authorities in meeting these goals by assessing future plans for expanding their charging network, by looking at where current plans for charging points are placed and suggesting more cost effective solutions for doing so. The suggestion is that if a single charge point is planned without a power supply running directly underneath could be moved to a location with the existing infrastructure, local authorities could save up to £20,000 per charge point, with the potential to save millions across an expansive network.

By offering better planning solutions, the goal is to ensure that the charging infrastructure for the growing demand in UK electric vehicle usage is available whilst also ensuring it is done in a smart and cost effective way, which may also urge other energy companies to follow a similar undertaking as the recent race to zero campaign could get many others on board.

Making the most of your clean energy solutions is something we here at Utility Trade Group are passionate about, you can explore options for your own personal EV infrastructure at home through our EV charging solutions, or you can get in touch with us today for more advice on what we can do for you.