Clearview North December 2013 - Issue 145 | Page 54

ENERGYEFFICIENCY ANOTHER ENERGY EFFICIENCY AWARD WIN The team at The VEKA UK Group notched up another award for its environmental initiatives recently, as the company was presented with the trophy for the ‘Energy Efficiency Award for a Large Company’ at the Groundwork Pennine Lancashire Business Awards. Now known as Newground, the event provides businesses in Lancashire with the recognition of their achievements in improving environmental performance. Sales and Marketing Director Colin Torley explains: “We are thrilled to be recognised by our own county for our environmental efforts - The VEKA UK Group works tirelessly to minimise our environmental impact, so to win this award is a fantastic achievement for us.” The award came following the company’s demonstration of significant improvement in reducing its energy use via innovative and exemplary measures. “Since 2008 we have saved a massive 12,448 tonnes of carbon from being emitted, as a result of energy saving measures we have put in place. 10,240 of that total being saved in 2012/13 alone. “Through the design and implementation of various measures we are now saving 128.66kg of carbon dioxide for every tonne of product we manufacture when compared to 2008’s figures. UK TO BECOME EUROPE’S LARGEST SOLAR MARKET IN Q1 2014 The UK is set to become the largest solar market in Europe for the first time during the first quarter of 2014, according to the latest data from NPD Solarbuzz. The firm estimates, the combination of predictable feed-in tariff rates and the rush to complete larger projects ahead of the cuts in the Renewable Obligation Certificate, in the second quarter, will help the UK to take top spot. But the honour will be short-lived, with Germany expected to regain the number one ranking by the end of 2014. ‘Germany expected to regain the number one ranking by the end of 2014’ NPD Solarbuzz predicts that the UK along with Germany, Italy and France will help European solar demand to stabilise. “Following consecutive quarterly market declines going back to the start of 2012, solar PV demand from Europe is forecast to stabilise over the next three quarters,” said Susanne von Aichberger, analyst at NPD Solarbuzz. “The downturn in the European solar PV industry has now bottomed out, with the quarterly demand volatility of the past soon to be replaced by more stable end-market dynamics,” added von Aichberger. ENERGY EFFICIENCY HAS NEVER LOOKED SO GOOD! With the advent of new legislation and the increasingly heated debate over energy pricing, the desire for the consumer to make savings using efficient products is reaching new heights. Thermally efficient glass and insulated spacer bar systems are marketed aggressively in trade press. When it comes to decorative glass for doors there are some material hurdles to overcome 54 DEC 2013 such as the use of metals within the decorative pane, which are arguably not the best options when it comes to energy efficiency. Dual Aspect Managing Director, Jeremy Town, comments: “We have recognised for some time that the age old materials utilised in decorative glazing of lead and metal caming are, in our view, outdated when it comes to thermal efficiency so we have made it our business to develop decorative glass from more energy friendly materials. For example, our triple glazed product is different from our competitors as it is made using new patented technology that does not include any metal within it’s make up. Instead we use UV stable polyesters and acrylics that have superior thermal characteristics. The other big advantage is that our Dual Aspect triple glazing costs far less than conventional triple glazing. To learn more contact the team at Dual Aspect on 01303 267187 or 07702 308374. To read more, visit www.clearview-uk.com