In a classic 'foot in mouth' event, the Energy Saving Trust has just told consumers that investing in solar PV panels is not such good news after all. Jumped on by the Dail Mail with their headline: 'Solar panel myth: Experts slash estimates for how much solar panels will save you' achieved just about the opposite of their purpose in life which is to promote the efficient use of energy and particularly the use of renewable technologies.

I'm not seeking sympathy, praise or even acknowledgement, but I have to start this blog by saying that I am writing it while on vacation in South Carolina, USA. As a green-energy enthusiast I try to keep up with market news so I subscribe to several online solar and renewable energy magazines, most of which are American. And sitting here in the southern heat somehow brings to the fore the shortcomings of the US energy policy. I felt an irresistible blog-urge coming on.

On Thursday June 9th,The Beechdale Energy eco-showroom at the company's Kingston village (9 miles west of Cambridge) headquarters will be open all day and until at least 8pm.

Japan's Prime Minister Naoto Kan will be announcing ambitious plans for the widespead use of solar power generation at the forthcoming G-8 summit meeting in Deauville later this week. More surprising will be their intention to reduce the cost of solar power generation to one-third of the present level in 2020 and to one-sixth in 2030.

It's true, a complete newly-built house fitted with PV panels on both sides of its roof has been stolen. Almost certainly the theft was inspired by the value of the PV panels and the thieves considered that stealing the whole house was easier than removing the panels from their roof-top location where they were secured by anti-theft fixings.

For most commercial buildings, the roof has always been considered simply as a lid to keep the rain out, but that is changing and roofs can now play a part in generating income for the owner or business tenant. PV panels, passively generating electricity from the sun's energy will provide a steady, reliable income stream with little or no ongoing cost. And in some cases no initial outlay at all. Read on....

Investing in residential property has become a popular choice in Britain over the last couple of decades but as property values rise in relation to rental incomes, the investment yield falls. With the introduction of the Feed-in Tariff Scheme (FITs) which pays for electricity produced by specified low-carbon methods under the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS), property investors are able to enhance the overall yield from their investments.

As part of its Spending Review, the Government has announced that the first review of the Feed-in Tariffs (FITs) will be undertaken. Will this see a U-turn in the Government's commitment to promoting green energy?

Our new eco showroom of renewable energy products and installations was put to the test this evening when we hosted a launch event for our neighbours in Kingston village.