Acrospire delivers solar lighting for Hampton Beach

Hampton Beach, a newly developed community in Peterborough by Barratt Redrow (including Barratt and David Wilson Homes), has been designed to balance modern convenience with sustainability. Situated around the picturesque Teardrop Lake, the development provides residents with scenic views, expansive green spaces, and access to essential amenities. With Barratt Redrow’s stated commitment to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2040, sustainability was a key factor in shaping the infrastructure of Hampton Beach. To support these environmental goals, Acrospire, a British manufacturer of exterior LED lighting systems, in partnership with GM Briton, was chosen to provide an energy-efficient street lighting solution. The project aimed to install low-carbon, off-grid lighting that would enhance visibility, improve safety, and align with the sustainable ambitions of the housebuilder. Acrospire supplied and installed Defender solar luminaires. Specifically designed for the UK market, Defender was selected for its performance, delivering up to 10,285 lumens and offering up to five nights of autonomy on a single charge. The solar lighting installation seeks to reduce Hampton Beach’s carbon footprint while providing bright, evenly distributed illumination across footpaths and communal areas. By operating independently of the power grid, these luminaires should help lower long-term energy costs, eliminate the need for trenching and cabling, and reduce ongoing maintenance requirements. James Brooker, Area Sales Manager at Acrospire, comments, "With today’s astronomical electricity costs, solar lighting solutions like the Defender make perfect sense for new build developments. By removing the need for trenching and wiring, they pay for themselves quickly — offering a long-term, environmentally friendly investment with no ongoing energy costs. The ability to deliver high-quality lighting without relying on the grid is a game-changer for housebuilders looking to meet their sustainability targets while keeping operational expenses low." A spokesperson at Barratt and David Wilson Homes, says, “We are delighted to work with Acrospire to provide energy efficient street lighting at our Hampton Beach developments. Finding more sustainable ways of living is a priority for us as a leading housebuilder, and we are pleased to be making strides to becoming net zero.” For more from Acrospire, click here.

Government must go further with solar, says expert

Following the government’s proposal of rooftop solar being mandated for new homes, a renewable energy and solar expert is warning that policy must go further to address energy for commercial buildings. Damian Baker, Founder and Managing Director of RenEnergy (a British renewable energy company), says, “While it is good to see solar being mandated for new homes to support homeowners with lowering bills, the government is not solving the issue of energy costs for commercial buildings and the high-energy industries that use them. “Commercial premises use significantly more energy than homes, and rising energy costs for businesses continue to pose a challenge as the economic landscape remains uncertain. Solar production can provide a significant opportunity for businesses to take back control of their energy, particularly when it comes to installing solar car ports in car parks. “Car parks for buildings such as supermarkets and retail parks, offices, hotels, golf clubs, train stations, and airports can introduce significant savings on energy costs, and surplus energy can be sold back to the grid, significantly reduce their operating costs, improve margins, and potentially pass on energy savings to consumers in the form of lower prices. “In turn, car ports on commercial premises can provide much-needed, large-scale EV charging infrastructure that can boost the uptake of electric vehicles, particularly for homes with no driveway. “Most importantly, car ports offer the potential for the UK to significantly improve its energy security and reduce reliance on the already overstretched electricity grid, with solar carports able to gain planning approval within eight weeks under permitted development with prior approval. “We believe the potential is enormous with RenEnergy’s own ongoing research already identifying over 629,000 suitable parking spaces and counting that could provide over 1,456 GWh of solar energy per year. The government has called for evidence on their viability, but it is already clear that there is opportunity to produce significant solar energy to benefit British businesses and, in turn, the public. Now is the time to build on this residential mandate and get serious about solar production for commercial premises to improve energy security and lower costs for all.” For more from RenEnergy, click here.

elementalLONDON announces partnership with ADE

elementalLONDON, a debut show from the team behind InstallerSHOW, has announced the formation of a partnership with ADE: Heat Networks. With the ethos of ‘advancing the efficiency of buildings,’ elementalLONDON says it will deliver an event founded on the wants and needs of its audience and combining insight with practical understanding of the challenges faced by professionals in the heating and cooling, water, air, and energy space. The show will involve a two-day conference and exhibition programme to over 4,000 specifiers from across the built environment industry. The partnership seeks to enable elementalLONDON and ADE: Heat Networks to work together to advocate on the priorities for the UK in achieving net zero. ADE: Heat Networks’ industry news and views on driving the decarbonisation of heat and energy will be shared with elementalLONDON’s network of professionals from across the built environment. ADE: Heat Networks will also have a key presence within the exhibition at elementalLONDON and will be contributing to the live programme at the event. ADE: Heat Networks member companies will be invited to attend the event and to showcase their solutions for decarbonising energy systems. Tom Wilson, Business Development Officer at ADE: Heat Networks, comments, “ADE: Heat Networks is very excited to be a part of elementalLONDON this year. Future proofing our buildings by decarbonising British heat and empowering energy users to take control of their energy use will be essential to driving towards Net Zero in the UK. We look forward to meeting with all the elementalLONDON participants to collaborate on this mission.” Felicity Reese, elementalLONDON Partnerships Manager, adds, “We are thrilled to agree this partnership with ADE: Heat Networks and to have its support for elementalLONDON. Engaging users and investing in energy efficiency and low carbon heat are key priorities if we are to truly decarbonise our built environment industry and advance the efficiency of buildings. We look forward to welcoming their members to Excel London in November 2025 and beyond.” For more from elementalLONDON, click here.

KNIPEX introduces new Self-Adjusting Crimping Pliers

KNIPEX, a German manufacturer of professional hand tools, has introduced its Self-Adjusting Crimping Pliers as a tool for electricians in time-constrained conditions. Engineered for crimping wire ferrules up to 16 mm², including twin ferrules up to 2 x 6 mm² or 2 x AWG 12, these crimping pliers are designed to automatically adjust to the cross-section of the wire ferrule size. A square compression aims to ensure uniform crimps that meet DIN 46228 parts 1 and 4, and the pliers are UL approved when used with KNIPEX ferrules. The pliers have lateral access to be able to reach into confined spaces like control panels and distribution boards and still crimp. According to the manufacturer, they have an efficient lever action and the ratchet mechanism has been designed to ensure consistent crimping pressure. The product weighs less than 500g and is chrome plated with multi-component handles. For more from KNIPEX, click here.

Honeywell unveils AI-powered building management

Honeywell, an American multinational conglomerate specialising in aerospace systems, building technologies, performance materials, and safety solutions, has announced the launch of Honeywell Connected Solutions, an AI-powered platform that integrates critical building software and technologies into a single interface. The platform's early adopters – Verizon Communications and Vanderbilt University – have already begun using the solution in their buildings. The product, which is built on Honeywell Forge, allows building operators to manage Honeywell software, systems, and devices through an integrated interface. When a building or campus is fully connected, users should gain real-time visibility into how critical systems are operating, alongside insights on how to troubleshoot challenges that may arise. Users, which can include facility managers, multi-site operators, and integrators, can connect to the platform with an AI-enabled installation process. The system seeks to address some key issues facing buildings today through: • Advanced encryption - to help safeguard against cyberthreats. • Remote monitoring and diagnostics - to help to reduce labour time and cost. • Predictive maintenance prompts - to spot and address issues before they escalate. • Energy-management solutions - to support decarbonisation efforts. "From aging buildings and rising downtime costs to skilled labour shortages and growing cyber guidelines, building owners and operators face a complex landscape of global trends that are constantly making operations more complex and costly. To address this, Honeywell's Connected Solutions allows building managers to link critical building software, technologies, and devices together to streamline management and compliance and help protect uptime," says Billal Hammoud, President and Chief Executive Officer of Honeywell's Building Automation segment. "Honeywell's Connected Solutions is an innovative platform offering the tools to use real-time data and AI-driven insights to help us optimise our buildings," comments Alex Kohnen, Chief Facilities Officer at Vanderbilt University. "We look forward to creating a better ecosystem for our students, faculty, and staff." For more from Honeywell, click here.

Ansell Lighting introduces new Avio and Tauro bollards

Ansell Lighting, a lighting designer and manufacturer, has unveiled two new additions to its bollards range: Avio and Tauro. With multiple outdoor settings including commercial, healthcare, education, hospitality, and retail ancillary in mind, Avio and Tauro have been designed for installations such as large car parks, high-level feature perimeter lighting, emergency lighting, and parks. Both the 930mm x 170mm Avio and slightly taller, 1040mm x 170mm Tauro offer interchangeable heads with a half-shield lens option to provide single direction output. Additionally, both come with an AFIX IP connector (and optional root mounting kit) and a head shields accessory. The integrated CCT and wattage switches are housed within the removable head of the bollards. Adler rotational legends also remove the need to stock multiples. Avio and Tauro are die-cast, aluminium bollards with a textured graphite finish. They have IP66 and IK08 ratings and a L80, 77,000 hour lifespan, alongside a five-year warranty. Available in black and silver/grey, they are OCTO compatible, CCT selectable between 3000K and 4000K, and power selectable, offering a choice of four outputs in one luminaire, as well as delivering a light source of up to 120lm/W. Mark Abbott, Managing Director at Ansell Lighting, says, “With Avio and Tauro, we have created the complete package – versatile, installer-aware, and providing the ultimate in reliability while meeting illumination requirements and visual comfort needs within outdoor environments.” For more from Ansell Lighting, click here.

Domus Ventilation ducting installed at York aparthotel

Ducting from Domus Ventilation, a manufacturer of ventilation systems, has been installed at a new, luxury aparthotel in one of York’s most architecturally renowned streets, Micklegate, as part of the Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) system installed throughout the new development. Situated within York’s central historic core conservation area, Micklegate has been designed with a contemporary interpretation of the medieval streetscape. A new addition to the Supercity Aparthotel portfolio, it features 46 apartment suites designed for luxury, practicality, and comfort, along with a ground floor restaurant and bar. The MVHR system in place extracts stale air and transfers the heat from it to the fresh air drawn into the building. Pairing with this, Domus Ventilation ducting has exacting tolerances and connects together, aiming for minimal air and moisture loss. The ducting has been designed to work in harmony as part of a system and has been third-party tested. Domus 204x60 Rigid Duct and fittings have been used throughout the new Micklegate aparthotel, along with Domus sound attenuators. The latter absorbs sound over a range of audible frequencies travelling through ductwork - such as the MVHR fan, external traffic noise, or room-to-room-cross talk. York-based M&E contractor J. H. Shouksmith & Sons is a long-standing Domus Ventilation customer and was responsible for specifying and installing Domus Ventilation ducting on this project. Senior Contracts Manager of the company, Carl Turner, comments, “We always use Domus ducting on any contract we undertake due to the ease of installation and the large mixture of fittings available.” Domus Ventilation manufactures its ventilation products for the domestic and light commercial building industry from its production facilities in South Wales. For more from Domus, click here.

Segen and BNP launch solar financing partnership

Segen, a renewable energy equipment distributor, today announced a strategic partnership with BNP Paribas Leasing Solutions to provide financing options under the Segen Finance brand. The new offering will allow commercial and industrial (C&I) end-customers to install solar and energy storage systems with no upfront costs. Segen Finance will initially be available exclusively through Segen's network of approved C&I installers across the UK and Germany, with planned expansion across Europe. "This partnership addresses one of the key barriers to clean energy adoption—initial investment costs," says Pascale Favre, Head of Technology Lifecycle Solutions at BNP Paribas Leasing Solutions. "By combining our financial expertise with Segen's technical knowledge and distribution capabilities, we're making sustainable energy solutions accessible to more businesses while supporting their cash flow management." Nicolas Niedhart, Group Chief Financial Officer at Segen Global, comments, "Our installer network has been asking for integrated financing solutions that make the transition to renewable energy more affordable for their customers. Segen Finance transforms our installers into total solution providers, while allowing their customers to preserve capital for other strategic investments. This partnership represents a significant advancement in accelerating the clean energy transition."

New Pharos façade adds colour to Cardiff

A brand-new car park facility in Cardiff is being lit up as night falls thanks to an illuminated façade controlled by Pharos Architectural Controls, a British manufacturer of dynamic lighting controls for architecture, themed entertainment, and other industries. As a part of the Central Quay development in Cardiff, the eight-storey car park is notable for its contemporary design. The facility is located next to the central station, offering parking, electric vehicle charging stations, and bicycle racks. The contractor for the project, Goldbeck Construction Ltd, partnered with LED lighting solutions provider LITE to specify and supply the technology to fulfil the design. The lighting needed to be fully programmable and colour controllable, so LITE turned to Pharos Architectural Controls. The LITE team selected a Pharos Designer LPC 4 (Lighting Playback Controller 4) for the project, in conjunction with a 5G router for remote connectivity. The Designer LPC features individually controllable and independently running timelines and scenes. The LPC is controlling a high number of Studio Due luminaires. In total, 88 of the manufacturer’s RGBW Compactbar 150cm solution were used on the installation. Through the LPC, the lighting can be changed from one colour to another, while multiple colours, patterns, and arrays are also available. The installation is connected to Pharos Cloud, providing remote lighting installation control and management from any internet-connected device. An on-site demonstration was also carried out with the selected products part-way through the car park’s construction. Ryan Sainsbury, Regional Sales Manager for UK & Northern Europe at Pharos Architectural Controls, comments, “While it is easy to think of a car park simply as a functional facility, the vision for Central Quay’s development has seen beyond that. The lighting during darkness is a stunning addition to the area, bringing an array of colours that are visually appealing. The LPC is the ideal solution for a lighting project on this scale, so we are delighted our technology has been chosen to deliver these remarkable results.” Paul Taylor, Director at LITE, adds, “When exploring the brief for a fully programmable and colour controllable lighting system at the Central Quay car park, we immediately knew the LPC from Pharos Architectural Controls would deliver everything we needed. The power and versatility of the LPC never ceases to impress us. From its reliability to its custom web interfaces, compact form and minimal power requirements, we are always completely confident in specifying the Designer LPC to our clients.” For more from Pharos, click here.

The hidden cost draining installer profits

Callbacks are more than just an inconvenience for installers - they’re a silent profit killer. For many plumbing and heating professionals, a small oversight can cost more than a return trip. It can damage reputation, cut into margins and, in worst-case scenarios, pose serious risks to life. Arctic Hayes, a UK supplier of specialist heating and plumbing consumables, is calling on the trade to take a closer look at the true cost of callbacks and how preventative tools and checks can stop small issues becoming costly ones. "Every time an installer goes back to a job, they’re not just losing time, but also eroding trust,” says Lee Parsons, Managing Director of Arctic Hayes. “The real cost is often invisible until it starts to hurt the bottom line - and when safety is involved, the stakes are even higher.” Many callbacks caused by small oversights – like an unchecked joint, missed leak, or loose seal – are all too common. These minor errors can quickly escalate, draining valuable time and resources. Beyond lost labour hours and fuel costs, repeat visits reduce scheduling efficiency and can put pressure on customer satisfaction. More worryingly, when those oversights involve gas leaks or carbon monoxide, the implications are potentially life-threatening. Arctic Hayes claims its tools, like the Gas Leak Detector Spray and Smoke Pen Kit, can catch early-stage issues before they escalate. The company’s CO detection and flue testing products are, they say, also widely used by heating and plumbing professionals. “Prevention is always better than a cure. Whether it’s testing joints, checking for fumes, or carrying out a quick visual inspection with a smoke pen, there’s no excuse not to double-check,” continues Lee. “Investing in the right tools upfront helps installers avoid costly callbacks, keep customers safe, and protect their reputation – it more than pays for itself in time, trust, and peace of mind."