Ireland’s accelerated capital allowances (ACA) scheme is to be extended to sole traders for the first time, allowing them to write off the cost of purchasing certain energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies.

An early day motion calling on the government to halt proposed changes to business rates attached to rooftop solar installations has received significant, cross-party support.

The Building Research Establishment (BRE) has collaborated with the Energy Services and Technology Association (ESTA) to produce a new guide to help companies comply with the Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS).

Almost three quarters of SMEs would like to see greater commitment to renewables from their energy suppliers according to a new study which also found that only a small proportion highly rate the support and options for renewable energy they currently receive.

Businesses in Northern Ireland will be able to continue to secure funds to purchase energy efficiency solutions after the Carbon Trust was awarded a new contract to extend Invest NI’s 0% APR Energy Efficiency Loan Fund for at least two more years.

The renewable energy industry needs to unite to pressure government to provide clarity over the future of UK policy following the Brexit vote, according to REA chief executive Nina Skorupska CBE who delivered a keynote speech on the second day of Clean Energy Live.

The minister for energy and intellectual property delivered one of her first speeches to industry at Solar Energy UK | Clean Energy Live 2016 on Wednesday 5 October after being appointed just a few months ago.

Energy minister Baroness Neville-Rolfe has lauded the potential for solar photovoltaics and solar thermal technologies to decarbonise the UK’s businesses in one of her first conference appearances since joining the department.

Google, Apple or another tech giant is likely to enter the energy supply market in Britain within five years, a leading independent power company has predicted.

A leading energy supplier has warned that rising wholesale power prices and a highly competitive retail market could force one or more of the new independents out of business this winter.