Renewable Energy Installer February 2014 | Page 11

Back with a bang
Ecobuild will celebrate its 10th birthday when it returns to London’s ExCeL in
March. REI takes a look at what the show has to offer renewables installers who
are looking to get ahead of the game.
W
ith the domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI)
launching in spring, 2014 promises to be a big year for
renewables.
Ecobuild is an opportunity for installers to meet
suppliers, merchants, and a whole range of industry experts, and see
the latest technologies on the market.
It’s no surprise that the RHI will be a major talking point this year,
so the 4-6 March should be the first dates in the diary for those who
are interested in working with renewables, and making the most of the
business opportunities government schemes like the Green Deal and
RHI will present.
What’s there?
Hundreds of exhibitors will be there from the both the UK and abroad,
and all of them will be displaying their latest products, and offering
advice on installation and maintenance.
For MCS-accredited installers who work with renewables, this is a
chance to speak to manufacturers and suppliers. It’s important to know
what’s on the market, at what price, and develop the right contacts to
drive business forward.
At Ecobuild last year, exhibitors met – on average - 122 new
customers. This means plenty of installers discovered new products
and expanded their connections, so can they afford to miss out?
Numbers game: Hundreds of manufacturers and suppliers are lined up to
give advice to installers on the latest renewable products
Attractions
This time all the content will be on the show floor, so it’ll be much
easier for installers to navigate. The organisers have created three
core show sections: Sustainable Design and Construction, Energy and
Future Cities, so visitors who are interested in renewables should head
to the energy section.
As well as the exhibits, there will be much larger attractions to
visit, including Practical Installer and Solar City.
Expert advice: TV star George Clarke opened Practical Installer at last
year’s event
Formerly known as the Solar Hub, Solar City – in association
with SMA Solar - will feature seminars and practical demonstrations
covering all aspects of the solar PV market in the UK. Installers can
listen to live debates and practical case studies from industry experts,
on topics including smart metering, energy storage, zero carbon
inverters and many more.
Practical Installer has been one of Ecobuild’s most popular
attractions in recent years. In 2014 it’s back and bigger than ever, as
over 15 of the industry’s top suppliers have teamed-up with Plumb and
Parts Center to showcase the latest sustainable technologies.
The new layout sees Practical Installer split into four areas
focussing on solar, biomass, heat pumps and water efficiency, so
visitors can see these products working live, and talk to experts for
further advice and information.
Throughout the three days Practical Installer will be offering live
demonstrations on installation and maintenance, and advice on how
initiatives like the Green Deal, the RHI and Feed-in-Tariff (FiT) are
making sustainable products more affordable than ever.
“Taking a couple of days off work to attend Ecobuild is an
investment in the future,” said Simon Allan, Plumb Center’s renewables
director. “So it’s important for installers to be there.
“The renewables industry is set to receive a big boost with the
launch of the RHI in spring, and personally I’d love to see more people
fitting biomass boilers, heat pumps and solar thermal.
“That’s why we’ve joined forces with top suppliers for Practical
Installer, to showcase renewable technologies and help installers with
any questions they have, or advice they need.”
Registration
Installers can register for Ecobuild 2014 by visiting the website
www.ecobuild.co.uk. The site also has lots more information about
the event, and all the highlights from last year.
www.renewableenergyinstaller.co.uk | 11