Climate

Learn from nature and secure your future with a solar power system.

Published

2 years ago

November 7, 2023

Celtic Green Energy advises you how to choose a solar power system

One of the most common reactions we have from the general public when enquiring about solar power system is cautious curiosity. They may have already heard basic soundbites about the benefits of solar, that it is a virtuous investment, it’s good for the environment and will save costs in the long term, but how do they choose what is the right system for their needs? What pitfalls can they avoid and as it’s a considerable investment, are they at risk of making a costly mistake?

Let us reassure you that investing in a solar system supplied by a qualified registered, installer is a very low risk undertaking that is protected and governed by regulation. Choose a Solar provider who is registered with MCS – the industry authority who has very stringent compliance to ensure all installers meet their exacting standards and financial regulation.

Naturally, West Wales based Celtic Green Energy meet these requirements and as one of Wales leading renewable energy specialists, have been providing naturally affordable energy solutions the region for the last decade.

Is my property suitable for Solar?

In the first instance, everyone who uses electricity may be able to have a solar system, however, due to the size constraints of large solar panels, not all properties may be suitable. If you don’t have enough roof space, the roof is in poor condition or your roof is permanently in shadow, a Solar install may not be appropriate. As these are large installations, you need to own the property, however, if you rent your property, you would need to seek the landlord’s permission to have an installation fitted.

What can I use Solar power for?

Anything that has an electric plug can be powered by solar power! When the sun shines during the day, electricity is generated by the solar PV panels – even on a cloudy day! You can use your kitchen appliances such as kettles, microwaves, washing machines, dishwashers and refrigerators whilst you relax watching daytime TV. If the solar power is insufficient to power these appliances, your alternative power source from the national grid will kick in at the usual tariff charge. Needless to say, the more solar panels you have, the more electricity you generate, the less you are dependent on the national grid and the more you save.

Where do I start?

A good starting point to find a suitable installer is to check out the MCS website for a list of regional registered approved businesses (available here.) or by asking your neighbour who they used and were they happy with the service. A quick phone call will offer you a rough price guide, but a site survey will be needed to ascertain the best system for your needs. At Celtic Green Energy, we have a free Energy Helpline where customers can phone in to discuss their needs in detail. As every property owner has differing criteria from building type, location, environment, living conditions, energy behaviours to monthly consumption – a bespoke Solar system will need to be designed to satisfy these particular constraints. An initial phone call will arrange a no-obligation free site survey when we will be able to advise you on your ideal system.

What do I need?

The Renewable Energy surveyor will discuss your usage needs and address your concerns with the most appropriate system for your requirements. Your current energy consumption is always a good starting point, so a solar system will be proposed to match this precedent. There are a variety of solar panel options available – mostly roof mounted, but if roof space is a problem and there is spare land, a ground mount system could be considered. You can also choose to have stylish in-roof panels, all black or bezel edge finishes.

If you use a lot of your energy after daytime, a solar battery system should be considered where you can use solar energy at night. There are a great selection of solar batteries available on the market varying in performance, capacity, longevity and price. When choosing a suitable battery, go for the best performance at the best price, but make sure it has a good warranty – some are only 2-3 years, others are up to 10 years.

Remember that Solar Power system is a great source of free electricity for other applications such as powering Air Source Heat Pumps, underfloor heating, electric immersion water heaters and charging electric vehicles. What are normally energy hungry products can be powered for free. Ask the energy advisor about the best product solutions for your requirements.

What about costs?

Installing a renewable energy system may be a significant upfront cost, but should be considered a long term investment that will secure your future energy needs without the fear of continually rising energy costs. Remember that during the energy crisis of 2022, a number of successful family businesses such as bakers and butchers went out of business simply because they were faced with astronomical electricity bills after coming out of fixed price energy contracts.

Unlike the purchase of a car, a solar system will add worth to your property and help values appreciate over time. Most systems are staged payments and only paid for in full after completion. Depending on your location, industry sector or if you are a private resident, grant funding is often available to help with the installation of renewable energy systems. Your energy provider will be able to advise you what’s available at the prevailing time.

Sum up…

With the rising uncertainty of energy prices, the Solar Power industry is seeing a mass of interest in their products, but met with profound confusion from the general public. There is widespread competition amongst energy installers offering attractive low cost options and undercutting tactics, but make sure your installer is registered and complicit with industry standards. Thankfully Celtic Green Energy are well established with a formidable reputation for quality and service. they have a particularly good reputation of understanding their products and helping advise customers on the most appropriate choice for their needs, aspirations and budget to provide them with long term fuel security.

If you would like to know more about having solar power system installed, you can call their energy help line 01269 500388 or learn more and visit their website here.

Here’s to brighter tomorrows and sunnier savings!

Climate

New deal aims to unlock Wales’ renewable energy potential

Published

2 days ago

March 18, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Sector partnership targets 100% renewable electricity by 2035

A NEW deal has been launched to help Wales meet its renewable energy targets while ensuring greater benefits for local communities.

The Renewable Energy Sector Deal will see the Welsh Government and industry work in strategic partnership to unlock the full economic potential of Wales’ renewable energy future.

The announcement coincides with the publication of the latest Energy Generation and Energy Use in Wales report, which shows renewable electricity generation in 2024 was equivalent to 54% of Wales’ electricity consumption.

The Welsh Government has set a target for renewable electricity to meet 70% of demand by 2030 and 100% by 2035. It also aims to deliver at least 1.5 gigawatts of locally owned renewable energy capacity by 2035.

The Sector Deal is intended to accelerate deployment across onshore and offshore wind, solar, marine and hydro projects. It will also focus on strengthening supply chains, developing skills, and ensuring communities across Wales benefit directly from renewable energy developments.

Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning, Rebecca Evans, is launching the deal during a visit to the Morlais tidal energy project on Anglesey.

The Morlais scheme, owned and managed by social enterprise Menter Môn, is set to become the largest consented tidal energy project in Europe. The Welsh Government holds an £8 million equity stake in the project.

Rebecca Evans said: “Our ambition is to become a world leader in renewable energy, creating jobs and green growth to make families in Wales more prosperous and help with the cost of living.

“The current conflict in the Middle East has further highlighted the importance of energy independence. Our Renewable Energy Sector Deal will provide a strong foundation for future delivery, benefiting our economy, environment and energy security.

“The Morlais project shows how sustained partnership can unlock Wales’ natural energy resources and turn them into lasting economic opportunities for local communities and businesses.

“The latest energy report shows we are making progress towards our targets. Combined with the record 20 major renewable projects, totalling 1,400MW, backed in the most recent UK Government Contracts for Difference auction, it is clear we are building a more resilient, renewable-powered future.”

Dafydd Gruffydd, Managing Director of Menter Môn, added: “The Renewable Energy Sector Deal is an important step in accelerating growth in Wales and across the UK.

“It recognises the role marine energy schemes like Morlais can play in strengthening energy security, creating high-quality jobs and delivering long-term economic benefits for communities such as Anglesey.”

The Sector Deal was co-produced by a task and finish group made up of developers and community organisations.

Responding to the Welsh Government’s Renewable Energy Sector Deal, Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader Jane Dodds MS said: “This so-called ‘sector deal’ raises more questions than it answers.

“There is no clear plan for how we build the workforce needed, with no detail on training, skills or apprenticeships to deliver the green jobs Wales needs.

“Ministers also promise benefits for communities, but without minimum standards or enforcement, there is no guarantee local people will see the rewards.

“Most concerning is the lack of focus on energy bills. Families are struggling, yet there is no clear explanation of how this will bring down costs. Renewable energy should mean cheaper bills, but as long as electricity prices are tied to gas, households won’t feel the benefit, something Labour in Westminster has failed to fix.”

Climate

Research vessel begins mission to study seabed carbon in Irish Sea

Published

4 days ago

March 16, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Bangor University scientists join £2.1m project investigating the impact of bottom trawling on carbon stored beneath the seabed

A STATE OF THE ART research vessel has set sail from Liverpool to investigate how bottom trawling may affect carbon stored in the seabed of the Irish Sea.

The scientific expedition is part of a £2.1 million research project funded by the Natural Environment Research Council and led by Professor Jan Geert Hiddink of Bangor University.

A team of eighteen scientists has embarked on the RRS Discovery, one of the world’s most advanced research vessels, for a three-and-a-half-week voyage studying the impact of fishing activity on carbon held in seabed sediments.

Before the ship departed, a number of local dignitaries were invited aboard for a tour of the vessel, including Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram and National Oceanography Centre Operations Director Natalie Campbell.

Professor Jan Geert Hiddink, from Bangor University’s School of Ocean Sciences, said bottom-trawl fishing is both vital to global food supply and a major disturbance to seabed environments.

“Bottom-trawl fishing provides around a quarter of global seafood but is also the most extensive physical disturbance caused by human activities to stocks of carbon locked in seabed sediments,” he said.

“This is important because recent evidence suggests that disturbing the seabed could lead to the release of significant amounts of greenhouse gases from the seabed into the atmosphere.

“There are still major uncertainties about how this disturbance affects carbon stored beneath the seabed. As a result, the impact of these disturbances is largely unquantified and currently unregulated.

“The aim of this project is to gain a much clearer understanding of what is happening so that scientists, policymakers and regulators can make informed decisions in the future.”

Seven research organisations are collaborating on the project: Bangor University, the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS), Heriot-Watt University, the University of Leeds, Plymouth Marine Laboratory, the University of St Andrews, and Imperial College London.

Caption: Scientists prepare to begin their research aboard the RRS Discovery, one of the world’s most advanced research vessels.

Climate

Green hydrogen plant approved for Milford Haven Freeport site

Published

1 week ago

March 11, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Major investment expected to boost low-carbon industry and create skilled jobs in West Wales

A MAJOR green hydrogen project planned for the Milford Haven Freeport tax site has taken a significant step forward after developers approved the final investment decision.

Energy company MorGen Energy has confirmed it will proceed with the West Wales Hydrogen project, one of the first schemes backed through the UK Government’s Hydrogen Allocation Round (HAR1) to reach this stage.

The facility will be built within the Milford Haven Tax Site, part of the Celtic Freeport zone covering Pembrokeshire and Neath Port Talbot.

Construction is expected to begin in 2026, with the plant scheduled to become operational in early 2028.

Once completed, the site is expected to produce around 2,000 tonnes of low-carbon hydrogen each year, meeting the UK’s Low Carbon Hydrogen Standard.

The hydrogen produced will support a range of industries, including port operations, manufacturing and industrial heating, as well as use as a chemical feedstock.

Supporters say the development will help reduce carbon emissions while strengthening Milford Haven’s role in the UK’s emerging hydrogen economy.

The project is also expected to create skilled jobs and provide work for local contractors during the construction phase.

Further expansion may be possible in future phases as demand for hydrogen grows, potentially helping establish Milford Haven as a major hub for low-carbon energy production serving South Wales and beyond.

Luciana Ciubotariu, Chief Executive of Celtic Freeport, said the decision marked another milestone for the region.

She said: “MorGen Energy’s decision is another major step forward for the hydrogen economy in South West Wales.

“Projects like this within the Milford Haven Tax Site show how the Celtic Freeport is accelerating decarbonisation while creating high-value jobs.”

The UK Government’s Hydrogen Allocation Round scheme provides revenue support to help scale up the country’s low-carbon hydrogen sector and bring early projects to market.