Gettinginvolved
Following the successful launch of the ECA’s Renewables and Microgeneration Interest Group online forum, Megan Williams explains how members can make the most of it – and join in the conversation
T
he ECA successfully launched its Renewables and Microgeneration Interest Group online forum in September 2011. As readers will be aware from an article in the last issue of ECA Today, the ECA
is raising the bar to help members seize the commercial opportunities arising from the low carbon retrofit market. With 200 registered members signed up to the forum by
the first week of October, there are already active discussions about high interest topics including photovoltaic (PV) products, installations and the government’s Feed-in Tariff scheme (FITs) – and what will happen to it. According to Paul Reeve, head of Safety and Environment
at the ECA: ‘The online forum has already proved to be a powerful tool for discussing policy and practice across the full range of renewable and low carbon measures. Both members, and the ECA team, are learning daily from each other’s experience and expertise.’
Guidance The forum is part of the ECA’s strategy to provide high quality energy efficiency and renewables guidance to members. It complements the ECA’s Sustainability Solutions web area, and its popular Energy Solutions helpline. Bill Wright, the ECA’s head of Energy Solutions, who is overall administrator for the online forum, states: ‘The great thing about the forum is that it offers virtually real-time comment and discussion, in an easy, quick, and informal way, allowing contractors to keep up to date with developments daily.’ Among the many subjects covered by the e-forum, members can gain and share information on the following areas: n Technical, commercial and safety aspects of designing, installing and maintaining renewable and low carbon technologies;
n Education and training courses on renewable and low carbon technologies;
n Certification, including the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS);
n Financial issues, including return on investment figures (paybacks) for renewable technologies; how to present these to your customers; grants and other fiscal support measures; and
n Key changes in low carbon policy and comments on consultations.
20 ECA Today November 2011
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