Solar Feed In Tariff Website

The We Support Solar group has launched a campaign for the government to add 10p to the proposed feed-in tariff, set to be implemented in the first quarter of 2010. The introduction of a UK feed-in tariff was set out by the government in July and has given the We Support Solar group some cause for concern regarding the long term effectiveness of making the UK solar industry competitive with those of Germany, Belgium and the Czech Republic. In a move set to highlight certain deficiencies in the proposed tariff legislation the We Support Solar website is currently urging people to petition MPs via their website with suggestions for the tariff before the consultation period finishes within the next few weeks.

The main concern among the solar industry lobby, most vociferously voiced by the members of We Support Solar, is that the rate paid by energy companies for electricity by means of solar energy will not be high enough to attract investment in the new UK sector. Indeed, the We Support Solar website has quoted that a failure to act on this particular piece of legislation would see the UK fail to catch up with its EU competitors on solar installation.

Citing the benefits of adding 10p to the proposed feed-in tariff the We Support Solar website claims the following advantages for the UK economy:

• 28,000 UK skilled solar power jobs by 2014
• Over 400,000 new residential solar PV installations by 2014
• Additional investment in UK solar PV manufacturing building on established centres in Wrexham, South Wales and County Durham

Certainly, with the announcement from Downing Street this year that Gordon Brown is planning to instigate a ‘green new deal’, using new renewable energies to revitalise the flagging economy, government action following the consultancy process will be under the microscope. The online campaign ultimately requests that MPs contact Ed Milliband, Secretary of the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) to lay out these specific demands. Whether or not the government does act to introduce a truly workable tariff system will determine whether recent rhetoric represents a real desire to fight climate change or merely court the ‘green’ lobby at a difficult time for Brown’s premiership.

For more information on the campaign, please visit:

http://wesupportsolar.net/act-now/

Tags: Act now, DECC, Department of Energy and Climate Change, Ed Milliband, feed in tariff, FIT, Gordon Brown, photovoltaic, PV, Solar Feed In Tariff, solar jobs, UK, We support solar campaign

The date has been announced for the ‘Introduction to solar markets and technology’ course to be held in London between 14 & 15 October 2009. The Green Power Academy which will be hosted in conjunction with the highly successful Green Power Conferences will seek to shed some light on the essential basics of the emerging UK photovoltaic (PV) industry.

The course will offer information and debate on the various commercial advantages which potentially be gained from the solar industry. Highlighting case examples, figures and various business models, attendees will have an opportunity to analyze and compare the different options available to those planning on investing in the UK solar industry. Similarly, the conference will provide detailed and expert evaluations of the various ways of harnessing the sun’s energy for the purposes of energy generation. With a focus on both PV and solar thermal technologies the presentations will give advice as to the respective advantages and disadvantages of each technological field.

Regarding photovoltaic technology the course will cover key areas such as PV material and design looking at the components involved in the manufacture of these materials. From a manufacturing point of view, attendees will be given information on the procurement of solar material along with the costs involved with supplies. Information about grid connectivity and efficiency will all be given using relevant case examples giving attendees a valuable insight into how the PV market has worked elsewhere.

The thermal solar market will be looked at giving specific information regarding Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) and Thermal Energy Storage (TES) solutions for the market and ideas as to where it will be moving in the future. Case studies and figures will be used to give ideas as to the various benefits this technology will provide for potential investors in this sector. The sector will also be analyzed in terms of future market trends and of course regulations which could effect the industry in the future.

Green Power Academy has a history of successful renewable energy courses and will continue the trend in London next month. Dr. John Massey, the training director for the course will use his extensive experience in the solar industry to offer attendees an invaluable resource whether they be new to the industry or new investors wishing to join the emerging sector in its infancy.

If you wish to find out more about this event please visit:

www.greenpoweracademy.com

Tags: clean energy, csp, Dr John Massey, green power academy, grid connectivity, photovoltaic, PV, renewable energy, solar energy, solar industry, solar investment, solar markets, solar power, solar thermal, TES