October 13, 2024 Innasol Partner Network

What we learned at the Innasol Partner Roadshow

On 27 June 2024, Innasol concluded a three-stop roadshow exclusively for our network of Accredited Partners travelling from Scotland to the south of England via Scotch Corner! 

These annual gatherings have brought together the tight-knit network of renewable professionals from across the UK to discuss the state of the industry, and to collectively navigate the challenges and opportunities presented by renewable heat (biomass) and more recently electricity (solar power). 

Here are the key takeaways for renewable energy businesses everywhere – and we also explain how your company can build resilience and grow as part of the Innasol Partner Network. 

Speakers: 

• Terence McCracken, Sales Director UK&I; Chair of the UK Wood Heat Forum (REA) 

• Neil Holland, Managing Director Y Pellets; Chair of the UK Pellets Council 

• Silvio Spiess – CEO, Innasol 

• Paul Shearin – Director, Innasol Solar

• Guest: Alan Young, Compliance Manager, HETAS and responsible for the HABMS Scheme 

1. The fight for the biomass air quality narrative starts with us 

In our Biomass Update, we heard from Terence McCracken, Sales Director for UK & Ireland at Innasol, and Chair of the UK Wood Heat Forum (REA). 

It came as no surprise to partners that a lack of any new policy direction from government, combined with external pressure from a powerful fossil fuel lobby, are contributing to stagnation in the biomass market – and undeserved scrutiny from policymakers. 

However, the key takeaway for renewable heating specialists in response, is for us to take control of the narrative on air quality. 

Whether the topic is compliance with emissions standards or pellet sourcing, biomass heating specialists have nothing to fear – as the facts are in our favour. 

Key Fact: Every one of the 15,000 boilers registered on the non-domestic RHI complies with the  PM2.5 and Nox air quality requirements of the UK – our sector can demonstrate the highest air quality standards. 

2. The rural voice must be protected 

Our renewable energy partners are well aware of the benefits of biomass in rural communities, but Neil Holland – Managing Director of Y Pellets and Chair of the UK Pellets Council – put it best with a few key stats: 

• We have enough sustainable wood residue to fuel an additional 500,000 homes in the UK. 

• There are approximately 422,000 homes that require off-grid heating, but which are unsuitable for heat pumps – leaving a perfect niche for a sustainable wood heating solution. 

• Biomass generates 0.3% of the carbon emissions that heating oil does. 

However, even though these are the facts, undue emphasis remains on heating through electrification, rather than wood heat – which suits cities far more than rural communities. 

As you may know, this came to a head when the Scottish Parliament coalition ban on combustion heating (a broad category that brings high-emission heating systems like stoves together with low-emission systems like biomass) took effect earlier this year.  

This has been successfully challenged by the Wood Heat Forum and the Stove Industry Alliance, which has protected rural communities in the Hebrides and Orkneys for whom dependence on electrification could put them at risk of fortnight-long power outages in the case of electrical distribution problems for example. 

Despite this being “a lot of work just to stand still”, it goes to show the power of a united bioenergy community in making a case for growing — not reducing — biomass. 

3. It’s the dawn of a solar age – and our partners will join us on the journey 

It didn’t take a cover of The Economist to tell us that we are at entering the ‘dawn of a solar age’, however, for Innasol and its Director of Solar, Paul Shearin, it’s just confirmation of the direction of travel for a sector in a phase of explosive growth. 

With Innasol delivering many new PV projects in its first year, our partners in attendance learnt about the opportunities they have as Partners to diversify and take their skillsets to this booming sector – with Innasol’s help. 

Between a leading CPD-certified training programme dedicated to commercial solar installation, and an already-strong partner network of committed solar installers, the opportunities to join a solar revolution are as ‘turnkey’ for our partner network as the process of installation itself. 

4. For Innasol and its partners, success breeds success 

Whether talking about the exciting prospects ahead for solar, or making the argument for a fearless biomass industry, one thing remains constant for Innasol – for us, and for our partners, success breeds success. This is evidenced by the dedication Innasol has to our partners.  

Between providing HABMS-accredited training for biomass installation, repair and maintenance, exclusive access to training at the world-leading ETA biomass production facility, or innovative diagnostic technologies such as IDRIS, our firm belief is that the success Innasol has is built on – and must be shared with – our network of dedicated, trusted partners. 

Reflections from our partners about the workshop: 

“These events, where those involved in renewable heating come together, are always so important to us.” – Simon, Bioheat, Devon 

“They are fighting our corner, and they are leading.” Jack, Green Hygge, Abergavenny 

“Innasol are fantastic. They are so supportive in many respects, and they always have their finger on the pulse.” – Gordon & Ben, Treco, Devon 

Is your future in the Innasol Partner Network? 

Best-in-class training, access to market-leading ETA technology, and a supportive network of forward-looking, renewable energy specialists committed to quality and “doing things right” by customers. 

If you are a renewable energy specialist, we have a lot to gain by working together, which is why we invite you to consider joining our partner network.