2 November 2010 Last updated at 10:12 ET

Gloucestershire solar panel firm creates 80 jobs

The majority of the jobs will be in Gloucestershire

A solar panel manufacturer has announced it is creating about 80 jobs across the South West, Herefordshire and Worcestershire.

Solar Technology International, based near Tewkesbury in Gloucestershire, currently has 12 members of staff. It said it was struggling to meet demand.

The jobs will include sales, technical, operations and administration.

The firm said a government scheme allowing people to sell solar-generated energy had made it more popular.

About 30 of the jobs will be created in Gloucestershire, with about 12 being created in Bristol, 12 in Somerset, four in Herefordshire, four in Cornwall and three in Worcestershire.

There will also be between six and 12 "floating" jobs - surveyors working across the entire area.

Managing director Adrian Williams said: "This year the government has launched financial incentives to encourage homeowners and business owners to fit solar panels on the roof of their properties.

"It provides a fantastic rate of return and it does save you money, which has caused the explosion of interest in solar.

"We are almost at a point where it is difficult to keep up with demand."

The clean energy cashback plan, known as feed-in tariffs, began in April and offers incentives to those who install solar panels or small wind turbines on their property.