RENEWABLE energy company Absolute Solar and Wind is creating 20 jobs in the region with the launch of its first visitor centre.

Absolute, which is based in Scotland, already has a distribution base and installation centre at Thorpe-le-Soken, in Essex.

The level of interest, both from businesses and households, in installing photovoltaic (PV) panels to cut their energy bills and benefit from the Government’s feed-in tariff scheme, has now promoted it to add a new site at Great Blakenham, near Ipswich, including a visitor centre.

As well as increasing its office staff, Absolute also aims to double its number of highly-trained surveyors, who will operate throughout the south of England.

Sales and marketing director Gordon Anderson said: “We are very excited to be expanding, and also to be opening our first visitor centre. The new premises are bright and modern and very in keeping with what Absolute stands for.

“It was becoming apparent that we needed to expand in order to accommodate the increase in business. Most of our trade comes from recommendations and we are getting more and more enquiries not only from the East and South East, but from as far afield as Yorkshire and the Midlands.

“We also felt it was important to offer customers a place to view the product. The visitor centre is a unique concept as it will allow visitors to come in and get a feel for solar panelling in-situ, seeing first-hand the complete Absolute Solar and Wind range available.”

Absolute, which was founded in 2007, offers a national installation service. It also recently opened an office in Inverness and plans to open a number of other visitor centres this year, at locations including Bristol, Reading and Bournemouth.

PV solar panels not only cut household energy bills but also generate tax free income for the owner who can sell the excess electricity back to the National Grid. A feed-in tariff pays money for every kilowatt hour of electricity generated and further cash for excess electricity which is sold back.

Mr Anderson added: “Despite the previous uncertainty in the market caused by the change in feed-in tariff fees we are seeing the business continue to grow, with more interest in solar power for free electricity than ever before.

“We remain committed to moving the solar PV market forward. Investing in renewable energy solutions is not only an environmental decision, but a practical one which will benefit companies and homeowners for years to come.”