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Solar power creates jobs
A BOOMING South Yorkshire 'green energy' company is planning to create 300 jobs as it expands into providing government-backed home heating and insulation.
Tankersley-based A Shade Greener installs solar panels on homes to supply the householder with electricity for free.
The company makes its money from the 'Generation Tariff' which it receives for all the electricity its panels generate.
It has created more than 120 jobs over the last 18 months.
Now A Shade Greener and its sister company Nationwide Solar, which installs paid-for solar panels on schools, offices and houses, are moving into the heating and insulation market.
The latest expansion will be on the back of a new Department of Energy and Climate Change programme, called the Renewable Heat Incentive.
It will reward people who heat their homes using renewable heat technologies ranging from solar thermal panels that heat water, rather than produce electricity, to industrial wood pellet boilers.
A Shade Greener's founder and chief executive Stewart Davies said: "We have been growing at an incredible pace as demand for our free solar panels has soared, but the next stage of our expansion will create even more jobs.
"We are looking for roofers, electricians, surveyors and energy advisors. We want people who could train up to be home visitors and product and sales advisers, as well as drivers, warehouse workers, fork lift truck drivers and labourers."
A Shade Greener says 80 per cent of its workforce were out of a job before they joined the firm and it is aiming to take on more as part of its latest expansion.
"There are thousands of really good people who are out of work through no fault of their own," said Stewart Davies.
"We intend to embark on a large scale training programme in partnership with local colleges and establishments.
"Anyone with the right experience or can show they have the ability to learn the skills we require should apply."
The firm will start recruiting before Christmas and says the first successful candidates will begin work in January.
n The news was welcomed by Enterprising Barnsley, the European-funded programme which supports businesses.
Spokeswoman Angela Pedley said; "We are delighted to hear about the possibility of so many new jobs with a company we have been working with. It just shows renewable energy is a real growth industry."
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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