PV Business Support

BRE (Building Research Establishment) is a consultancy company offering expertise on environmental and construction issues from building design and the integration of renewable energy systems to strategy and management systems for UK organisations.
Website: www.bre.co.uk

Community Energy Solutions is a Company Interest Company with expertise in affordable energy solutions and community based renewable energy schemes.  Funds are available through CES to community and housing companies investing in sustainable energies.
Website: www.communityenergysolutions.org.uk

Energy Management Excellence provides Energy Management Skills and Management Support services within sectors the plastics, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, food and general engineering sectors in the North East.
Website: www.onenortheast.co.uk

Ignite (Regional Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Communities) is an interactive knowledge management system and learning network, which better informs regeneration practitioners to maximise efforts in sustainable development across the North East.  It provides an open access website and registration service which gives access to an electronic library, networks and events for North East organisations.
Website: http://www.onenortheast.co.uk/page/ignite.cfm

Low Carbon Buildings Programme is a DTI programme, managed by the Energy Saving Trust that provides grants to householders, community organisations, schools, the public and not-for-profit sector and private businesses in the UK involved in micro-generation technologies.  Different levels of funding are available in each category.
Website: www.lowcarbonbuildings.org.uk

Market Transformation Programme addresses the development and implementation of UK Government policy on sustainable products for UK based businesses.
Website: www.mtprog.com

Midas is a brokerage service which assists businesses in reducing costs and increasing competitiveness through the improved use of energy, water and materials. Midas assists companies in North East to identify areas of opportunity regarding resources, diagnose solutions and implement findings with a view of cost reduction.
Website: www.midas-ne.co.uk

National Industial Symbiosis Programme – NISP encourages industrial symbiosis and acts as a conduit for industries, businesses and research institutes to establish opportunities that will improve across the board efficiency.
Website: www.nisp.org.uk

New and Renewable Energy Centre – NaREC offers open access services and a facility for companies involved in developing novel energy technologies and has specific expertise in photovoltaic technology and manages theNational PV Technology Centre, which houses cleanrooms & laboratory facilities.
Website: www.narec.co.uk

North East Business & Innovation Centre offers advice on market research, new product development, sourcing premises, finances and legal issues to new business start-ups and SMEs.  It also provides incubator facilities for start-up businesses, competitively priced bespoke labs for all businesses and conference hire facilities.
Website: www.ne-bic.co.uk/

North East Patent Advice Centre offers free advice on all aspects of IP (patents, trademarks, registered design and copyright).  It is available for all North East organisations involved in product development and commercialisation.
Website: www.newcastle.gov.uk/pac/index.htm

RTC North is one of Europe's leading independent technology transfer companies serving businesses, universities and the public sector in the UK and overseas.  RTC North offers business consultancy services, marketing and IP advice and access to international opportunities.
Website: www.rtcnorth.co.uk/

Renew Tees Valley aims to Promote the Tees Valley as a UK centre for renewable energy and waste technologies, encouraging businesses involved in renewable energy or recycling to set-up in Tees Valley.  RTV offers technical advice  and practical business support in the form of feasibility studies, business development plans, marketing strategies, introductions to potential partners and financial assistance for environmental businesses.
Website: www.renewteesvalley.co.uk

SFI, Selective Finance for Investment, that offers discretionary grants to both the manufacturing and service sector businesses setting-up or re-investing in North East.
Website: www.dti.gov.uk/regional/investment/

The Patent Office provides advice for UK organisations involved in product development and commercialisation.  Advice can be given in the way of patents, design, trademarks and copyright.
Website: www.patent.gov.uk

UKTI Inward Investment Team offers advice and support to international companies looking to set-up in the UK or UK businesses looking to do business internationally in the environment and renewable energy fields.
Website: www.ukinvest.gov.uk