SOLARPLAZA
UK is FiT to burst
The UK PV Conference organised by Solarplaza took place in Central Hall Westminster in London. The event brought together entrepreneurs, investors, utilities operators and electrical contractors to develop a better understand of the UK PV market, the upcoming Feed in Tariffs and the burgeoning market potential. Solar Magazine attended
T 24
he United Kingdom is coming toterms with the nintroduced feed-in tariffs (FITs) to stimulate the photovoltaic and solar industry. The FiTs were introduced on April 1st and the agenda of the recent UK PV Conference was to outline differences between other countries FiT’s, to highlight the processes required and discuss the potential market and opportunity in the UK.
There was an impressive line up of speakers for the event with some internationally renowned solar energy experts such as Germany’s Hermann Scheer and writer and solar activist, Jeremy Leggett. There was a number of presentations from various companies and government individuals and a stirring presentation by Ray Noble, PV specialist at the Renewable Energy Association.
The UK PV Conference host, Edwin Koot, CEO of Solarplaza, commented: “I am glad that besides the solar energy guru’s Scheer and Leggett, several UK senior experts with an international solar energy background and more than 20 years of experience chose to speak.”
The organisers met their attendance expectations of around 150 participants and among them were foreign PV companies wanting to know more of the potential that the UK FIT is offering. There were presentations discussing what the conditions are like for the development of large-scale solar and residential projects in the UK.
Koot opened the proceedings with an overview of PV markets worldwide. There was a focus on the new political framework for PV in the UK. Philip Wolfe, managing director of Ownergy, will spoke about the new FITs and how they work; Stefanie Rief of the National Energy Foundation discussed whether the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) is a market entry barrier or a necessity for the UK market; Keith Duncan explained the role and position of the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem) in the UK PV market. The information was clear and concise and although there was some individuals who thought MSC was a barrier for some foreign companies in general the scheme was seen as a positive way of ensuring quality into the UK infrastructure.
A key question made through the morning sessions was how much will the UK industry grow. Expectations were varied but most people are
www.solar-pv-management.com Issue IV 2010
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44