THE assets of Sundog Energy have been acquired by another solar energy company but the business will no longer be based in Cumbria.

Sundog, which employed 20 people at North Lakes Business Park, Penrith, had been installing solar panels for 20 years.

It fell victim to government cuts to the feed-in tariff, which dented demand for solar installations and prompted a decision to go into voluntary liquidation.

Now Photon Energy, of Reading, Berkshire, has acquired Sundog’s assets, including the name and goodwill.

It plans to move the business to Lancaster but will retain some staff to fill the roles of business development manager and contract installers.

Jonathan Bates, director and general manager of Photon, said: “Ever since the Government announced a massive cutback in support for solar last year, the market has been in turmoil and I see no early end to this.

“We are delighted to have acquired Sundog Energy, one of the first commercial solar companies in the UK.

“Sundog has an incredible track record and has installed some very high profile projects including the iconic installation at Kings Cross station.”

Sundog also installed panels at the Olympic Park, Bradford Cathedral and latterly Thomas Graham’s new premises at Kingmoor Park, Carlisle.

The Government cut the feed-in tariff from 12p/kWh to 4.39p/kWh in February. The tariff is a subsidy paid to solar panel owners for generating electricity.