A leading green energy company in Northern Ireland has opened a dedicated learning hub to provide people with information and advice on solar energy.
Amber Green Solar, which has bases in Belfast and Armagh, has opened Solar Hub 1 on Belfast’s Beersbridge Road which educates the public about how electricity is generated using solar PV panels and the cost saving benefits of solar panels and photovoltaic installations for domestic, business and commercial buildings.
Speaking at the launch, which was attended by representatives from across the political, business and education spectrum, First Minister Peter Robinson described Solar Hub 1 as “a first class operation.”
He said: “What I have learned is that the technology doesn’t have to be testing. It is very easily explained and we have clearly seen here how it can benefit people across Northern Ireland.
“There is a lot of work going on in the sector here and the Executive will be doing everything in its power to support companies like Amber Green Energy. This is the direction of travel and more and more domestic dwellings and businesses will be taking their energy from renewable sources.”
Amber Green Solar, a division of Amber Green Energy, installs Solar Panels, Solar PV [Photovoltaics] to generate electricity and Solar Thermal to generate hot water. The company has developed a pipeline of over £3.5million worth of residential and commercial opportunities in the last two months and are currently receiving 12 new enquiries every day. This pipeline equates to over 3.3mw of solar power to date.
The company’s chief executive, Dwyer O’Neill, said Amber Green Solar took the decision to open a city hub to create a learning environment which is accessible, welcoming and educational.
Mr O’Neill said: “Energy costs continue to rise and every household and every business in Northern Ireland are challenged by rising energy bills. We are encouraged that more and more people are seeking alternative methods of generating electricity. We have listened to our client’s feedback and one common theme is a lack of practical knowledge out there about how solar panels actually work. As a result, we felt it entirely appropriate to create this learning hub where people can see for themselves how solar panels can benefit their lives.”
Renewable technology offers a range of benefits to consumers including a reduction in energy bills and the ability to sell excess electricity back to the grid.