As a result of the current drive to install renewables, and with government targets for all new homes to be zero carbon by 2016, construction companies are being invited to meet with both experts in renewable energy and those that make, sell and install these technologies, at a new show in the south west of England.

The Renewable Energy Market Place – on 22 March 2011 at Westpoint arena – will help builders and other construction professionals to understand what technology is right for their up-and-coming projects and developments.

In addition to workshops on renewable energy, seminars on different technologies, and advice on how to make the most of the government’s financial incentives, delegates will get the chance to meet with experts and suppliers that could provide them with the right solution.  The day will cover all types of technologies, from biomass, heat pumps and hydro to solar PV, solar thermal and wind. 

Merlin Hyman, chief executive of sustainable energy experts Regen SW, said: “Alongside greater energy efficiency measures, installing renewables on-site is becoming an increasingly important part of way of reducing the carbon footprint of new developments.  Payback periods on technologies such as solar PV arrays can be as short as 10 years, and with guaranteed ‘generation’ income over the next 25 years, ‘going green’ can be a very sound investment.

“The Renewable Energy marketplace will be a unique opportunity for builders to meet the people ‘in the know’, talk to companies who can help them, find out everything they need to know about renewables, and discover exactly how they can take advantage of the financial incentives that the government has set in place.”

The day will include a series of short but detailed workshops covering the different technologies and their benefits, details of the government incentives and remaining grant opportunities and also further detail for those already pushing ahead with projects.