Our Latest News
Pete Aston joins Roadnight Taylor as Network Engineer
Find out more about Pete Aston, former Primary System Design Manager at Western Power Distribution, and his reasons why he joined Roadnight Taylor. Our CEO, Hugh Taylor, also explains why Pete is a perfect fit for the Roadnight Taylor team.
Landowners need not carry professional costs for aborted energy schemes
Landowners who are entering into agreements with energy developers should make sure that the agreement includes an undertaking for their professional fees to be covered by the developer. Otherwise, if the scheme does not go ahead the landowner could end up paying high professional costs.
How to boost the chances of delivering a project on time and on budget
From start to finish, any connections project to higher voltage networks involves a complex set of actions and elements. Getting anything wrong could bring quality, cost and timing issues – or worse, halt the project in its tracks. David Burbidge explains why getting it wrong can be costly, and introduces a series of articles that will cover in more detail the actions and elements to get right.
Pete Aston joins the Roadnight Taylor team
We are delighted to announce the appointment of Pete Aston as Network Engineer. He joins from Western Power Distribution (WPD), where he was Primary System Design Manager responsible for all grid connections to the high and extra-high voltage networks across all WPD's licence areas.
Richard Palmer appointed working group Chair of industry body for electricity storage
We are delighted that the huge expertise and knowledge of our senior consultant Richard Palmer has been recognised and he has been appointed Chair of the Electricity Storage Network Markets and Revenues Working Group for 2021.
Don’t take a risk with energy agreements
Landowners must think twice before signing renewable energy agreements as they could end up tied into astronomical bills and unsuccessful projects, or be unable to successfully negotiate rents and lease terms.
We are recruiting for a Grid Connections Manager
We have a vacancy for a Grid Connections Manager to support our clients and engineers from pre-application through to commercial operation of their connections.
Beware oversold energy installations
Renewable energy offers huge potential for many farms, but landowners should be warned that some energy firms are trying to sell unfeasibly large installations.
Green Recovery Scheme call for evidence – take a considered approach
Hugh Taylor warns submissions for the Energy Networks Association Call for Evidence for the Green Recovery Scheme must be carefully considered and clearly demonstrate how a scheme will deliver against Ofgem & DNO objectives.
The fundamental elements of clean energy scheme leases
TLT’s Maria Connolly, who’s team has provided legal advice to a number of Roadnight Taylor’s clients, spoke to Hugh Taylor on what both landowners and developers should be looking for in clean energy scheme leases.
Our 2020 results
We thought our achievements in 2019 were phenomenal, but 2020 was our true breakthrough year. We secured over two gigawatts-worth of capacity for solar for clients, saved our developer clients many £millions in connection offer non-contestable costs and more...
Overcoming grid capacity issues – Solar and Storage Live 2020
Hugh was invited to take part in a panel discussion at the virtual Solar and Storage Live event in December 2020. You can watch the recording here. The panel discussed the barriers and opportunities for addressing grid capacity, and how we can get the most from existing grid infrastructure to deliver Net Zero efficiently.
Farming’s role in the evolving energy market – Farmers Guardian
Hugh spoke to Farmers Guardian about the opportunities for renewable energy schemes available to landowners and how to maximise the chances of achieving viable solar farm, wind farm and battery storage schemes.
Save £1,000s with National Grid grant
Recent regulatory changes require technical modifications to renewable energy schemes’ grid protection arrangements. Thousands of rural businesses could face massive remedial costs on renewable energy systems unless they apply for a National Grid grant by 9 February 2021.
7th birthday – our success in numbers
Roadnight Taylor turned 7 years old today which calls for a look back at where we’ve come from and what we have achieved. Read on to find out about our successes and 7-year highlights in numbers including our schemes, team growth, presentations and cups of coffee!
Exclusivity agreements for energy schemes: pitfalls and opportunities
In seeking to achieve a solar, wind or energy storage scheme, one of the first steps a developer will take is to secure an exclusivity agreement with the landowner. We take a closer look at exclusivity agreements, speaking to the expert team at Renew Legal, to understand what they are, the issues that can arise from them and if there are alternative approaches.
Cut your energy bills with Climate Change Agreement – with Heck! Food case study
Many businesses are unaware they could be eligible for the Climate Change Agreement Scheme to reduce the Climate Change Levy. Richard wrote this article and used the example of our recent work with clients Heck! Foods.
Farm diversification income from energy projects – frequently asked questions
As rural landowners look to diversify and tackle the economic challenges post-Brexit, energy schemes can offer those with viable sites a new income solution. We’ve compiled a list of answers to the most common questions we get asked by landowners - including likely incomes.
Webinar: Maximising chances of achieving large-scale energy schemes
Hugh was invited to speak on webinar hosted by Lodders. Hugh lit a clear path to maximising your chances of achieving long-term, reliable leases from large-scale energy schemes, while Alastair Frew provided insight on a range of renewable energy legal issues.
Industry should act fast to save on the Climate Change Levy
BEIS has extended the CCA scheme by another 2 years, and the deadline for applications for new entrants to 30 November 2020. Roadnight Taylor can help businesses assess eligibility and the cost/benefit of entering the scheme in the context of an investment strategy in low carbon assets.
Contracts for Difference Scheme: the impact on the solar site acquisition market
Hugh Taylor spoke to Michael Beale, Director of Business Development UK at Lightsource BP to ask him what impact this CfD announcement would have on the solar farm site acquisition market.
Deadline looms to reduce Climate Change Levy
Businesses have only a few months left to benefit from reduced energy bills through the extended Climate Change Agreement (CCA) scheme. Richard Palmer explained to The Energyst why even smaller business should think about joining the CCA scheme
Short deadline to reduce Climate Change Levy on energy bills
Energy intensive businesses have until 30 September 2020 to benefit from reduced energy bills through an extended Government Climate Change Agreement scheme. It is available to a wide range of businesses and can offer many benefits not just financial.
Roadnight Taylor appointed as a Crown Commercial Service supplier
We’re pleased to announce our appointment onto Crown Commercial Service’s Heat Networks and Electricity Generation Assets (HELGA) agreement.
Q&A: Why business rates shouldn’t scare people away from solar – Solar Power Portal
After the Lidl's case highlighted business rates on solar, Richard was interviewed by Solar Power Portal to find out what needs to change to make business rates and solar work.
Non-domestic solar arrays underperforming by £millions annually
Many commercial/non-domestic solar photovoltaic (PV) schemes are financially underperforming and reduced energy output isn’t the only cause, our recent PV HealthChecks have found.
Energy Opportunity – RICS Land Journal
Hugh was invited to write for the RICS Land Journal. He covers the energy scheme opportunities for landowners, the different approaches, the current issues and technology options, and how to maximise chances of success.
Beware of costly business rate liability on solar PV installations – Farmers Weekly
Richard was interviewed by Farmers Weekly on how farmers are being caught unawares by costly business rate charges on solar PV installations.
Electric Vehicle Evolution – CLA Land & Business
The opportunities for electric vehicles and EV charging including delivering competitive advantage, raising customer satisfaction, highlighting environmental credentials, adding income and gaining rent from hosting infrastructure.
Farms and rural businesses: Avoid costly solar PV business rate pitfalls
Hidden business rates charges are catching out farmers and many rural businesses with solar PV installations, but taking expert advice could prevent this.
Don’t let Lidl business rates liability case scare you away from solar
The recent news that supermarket chain Lidl saw its business rates jump by over 528% due to changes in the valuation of the solar PV installations at its sites, should not scare businesses away from solar.
G99 applications and compliance – the what, the why and the how
We look at why the new Engineering Recommendation G99 was needed and what these more complex requirements now mean for power generation or storage plant being connected to the UK electricity network.
Farm diversification into energy: the options and returns
There's never been a better time for landowners to seek diversification income from leasing land to energy schemes, or becoming self-developers or owner-operators. But we urge them to take appropriate and independent advice.
Part-time accounts manager required
To support our growth, we are looking for a part-time accounts manager to join our busy, brilliant and friendly team. It is a great role for someone looking for flexible part-time hours.
Where can you take us?
We are looking for brilliant people to bring specialist skills and experience to our talented team. They’ll accelerate our development into new areas of expertise and into new audiences, and more...
Penny wise, millions foolish – a lesson in the cost of not using expert advisors in energy scheme developments
A solar developer achieved a grid connection offer for a solar farm site but missed a crucial stage in the process and so failed to secure and safeguard the grid rights - thus losing out on any opportunity. What should they have done?
Our 2019 results
In 2019 we secured grid capacity for over 1GW of solar, storage, gensets and energy from waste (EfW) schemes, on over 3,000 acres with a lifetime ground rent of £100m. Why not join us in 2020?
Roadnight Taylor 2019 Festive Stats
After a spectacular year in which Roadnight Taylor Ltd really came of age, we totted up some of our successes in 2019. A huge thank you to our extraordinary and talented team - and all the developers, businesses, public sector bodies and site owners who put their faith in us in 2019. Happy Christmas!
We are recruiting for an energy analyst
We have a vacancy for an energy analyst to bring their unique skills and experience to our talented and established team, and to become a thought-leader in their own right.
On-site energy schemes – what are the opportunities for landowners?
Hugh was interviewed by AMP Clean Energy for their guest blog. He discusses the on-site energy opportunities for landowners and developers, and why decarbonisation is driving demand for sites that can host flexible generation assets.
Prime opportunity for energy schemes but take care
The average landowner’s chances of getting an energy scheme are greater now than ever. But, there has also never been a more appropriate time to be prudent and not sign up with the first developer that knocks at the door.
Consenting and implementation expertise for energy scheme developers
Our services extend to supporting professional energy developer teams and the entrepreneurial self developer.
Residential, holiday and touring parks – energy opportunities
With increasing energy prices and the use of electric vehicles growing rapidly, holiday and home parks must take a strategic look at their energy use and EV chargepoint deployment. See our services that can help.
CLA member offer on our Stop/Go™ Study
We're offering CLA members a discount on our Stop/Go feasibility study which establishes if their land has a genuine opportunity for a cost-effective grid connection and a viable energy scheme.
Smart Export Guarantee – Part 2: What to do now if investing in renewables
The days of stacking lots of solar panels on a roof to benefit from the FiT are over. A change in mindset is needed when considering investment in renewables. Richard Palmer looks at how you can make sure you invest wisely.
Smart Export Guarantee – Part 1: Not so smart or much of a guarantee!
Our Senior Consultant, Richard Palmer, looks at the new Smart Export Guarantee and explains, how as financial returns are no longer guaranteed, it forces a mindset switch for those looking to invest in renewable energy schemes.
Grid expertise secures a successful outcome – but it was too late for another
Two recent cases where our considerable level of grid expertise has been demonstrated. One case led to a lucrative outcome for a developer. The other highlighted why getting us involved at the start of a project will achieve better outcomes.
5 Must-Dos before making an investment in on-site solar PV
We are increasingly being asked by clients to assess quotations from renewable energy installers. We've found several common issues with our clients’ approaches and, more worryingly, with the contractors they are employing to install schemes.