An independent West Country power producer has launched a UK solar subsidiary.

Rame Energy has incorporated Rame Solar Ltd to lead its future UK rooftop solar projects.

The new firm will initially own and operate up to four projects with a total potential capacity of 120KW.

Its two projects include 20-year power purchase agreements with an agricultural business and one of Europe’s largest indoor motocross arenas.

Rame Energy said construction of the first £180,000 project has started.

The firm said: “We believe the UK market is ripe for growth. Electricity costs form a substantial part of business overheads and with an EU Directive to reduce the number of coal-fired power stations, these costs are widely predicted to increase.

“We believe the appetite for cheaper electricity under transparent contract terms is growing and we are ideally positioned to capitalise.”

The government recently announced plans to reduce support for solar and biomass projects.