REA challenges Government over solar with ‘myth-busting’ factsheet

The Renewable Energy Association (REA) today challenged the Government over its support for solar, saying it needed to look at the potential of the green technology "based on the facts".
The REA, which represents over 150 solar companies, today called on the Government to reconsider its policy of "reigning in" solar by looking at the facts. The trade body has published a factsheet, which lists 10 suggested "myths" about solar and attempts to knock them down one by one.

The move follows the decision by the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) this month to launch a fast-track comprehensive review into the Feed-in Tariff for solar projects over 50 kilowatts (kW) in size.


"The fact is the UK has not caught up with rapid developments in the global solar PV industry – or shown much interest in the facts," said REA chief executive, Gaynor Hartnell. "It would be a terrible loss if the 'greenest Government ever’ reigns in on the UK’s already modest solar vision and ambition. We’d like to hear DECC talk up this technology and re-examine its potential based on the facts."


The REA’s 'Solar Fact Checker' lists 10 current myths about solar, which the industry believes risks derailing the growth of the sector, putting tens of thousands of green jobs at risk.

Energy Secretary Chris Huhne announced he was launching a review of the FiT scheme earlier this month following growing evidence that large-scale solar farms were threatening small-scale renewable projects, such as those found at homes and small businesses, which the scheme was intended for.

However, REA is concerned that launching a review into developments of 50 kW and over is creating investment uncertainty and risks undermining job creation in the sector and leaving the UK behind the rest of Europe.


Solar Fact Checker
Among the myths it attempts to dispel in its factsheet is that the technology can’t deliver much power in the UK. It counters that south facing roofs and facades alone could deliver around a third of UK electricity supply. It also claims that it is incorrect to suggest that solar is an expensive technology, pointing out that costs of solar have dropped 20 per cent and has the potential to be cheapest power source in the world.

The factsheet also challenges the Government directly on its review of the FiT scheme, saying five megawatt – the subsidy ceiling – is small by international standards and that it is wrong for the UK to focus on small solar because a micro sector is unlikely to support new manufacturing opportunities and inward investment.

"On any objective analysis this is a serious power source that demands respect. It is also extremely popular with the public," said Hartnell.

Renewable Heat Incentive
This week, the REA also sent an open letter to Huhne urging him to publish details of the mechanism for the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI). The Government announced £860 million of funding for the RHI beginning in June 2011 in the Comprehensive Spending Review. The scheme will incentivise homeowners and businesses to generate their own renewable heat.

"The Government has promised to introduce the Renewable Heat Incentive this summer, but we still do not know the details of the mechanism. Numerous projects are on hold, with recruitment frozen in many companies and other companies having to lay-off staff. Uncertainty and delay is damaging the industry and the prospects for the rapid development of green heat," the letter read.


by Greenwise Staff