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Martifer Solar completes large-scale UK solar cluster

Martifer Solar, a portuguese energy firm with bases in Southport and London, has completed one of the largest utility scale solar clusters commissioned in the UK.

The development, which is based in the South West region, has a total capacity of 28.1 MWp and is one of the largest clusters built at one time in the country.

Martifer Solar competed the site in just 15 weeks across Cornwall, Hampshire, Devon and Wiltshire after making its UK debut in 2011.

The firm, which carries specialist engineering skills and experience, has rooftop solar sites at Southport and outside Milton Keynes.

Its most recent projects in the South West were bought from UK solar energy generator, Lightsource Renewable Energy, to complete the scheme’s construction, connection, operation and maintenance.

Nick Boyle, chief executive of Lightsource Renewable Energy, commented: “The entire cluster was completed on time, fitting in line nicely with the ROC (Renewable Obligation Certificate) changes from April onwards.”

“It has been made very clear in recent times that solar is a key component in the UK’s drive towards its renewable energy targets.

“We hope solar subsidies will continue at sensible levels to assist in making solar competitive with other energy sources and our goal of reaching grid parity within a predicted six years.

“This would also help to build a stable and profitable industry that would no longer need to rely on government incentives by 2017.

“Renewable energy sources and schemes, such as this undertaken by Martifer Solar, need to become an integral part of our domestic power output if we are to achieve the Government’s target of 15% of the UK’s electricity being generated from renewable sources by 2020.”

João Cunha, country manager of Martifer Solar in the UK added: “With these projects, Martifer Solar assumes, in a very expressive way, a commitment to the solar and renewables industry in the UK.

“Following a first stage in which we completed the projects’ development/licensing, we are very proud with the conclusion of another challenging period, for the construction and commissioning of the plants.

“Again, our Company distinguishes itself in 2013, where we have even more ambitious goals, which will place ourselves as one of the main companies in the sector.”

The plant totals 114,000 modules with an installed capacity between 4.4 and 6.63 MWp built over 75 hectares, and will supply energy to over 18,000 residents.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Miranda Dobson .