INDUSTRYPOLICY
stand-alone installations you can see that investors at the large scale feel aggrieved. While it seems appropriate to address the difference the dramatic drop off in price seems short sighted and also isolates members of the community the idea had been sold to including, schools, community organisations, charities and the like, who had been convinced of their own fund raising capacity.
While ground based projects will be difficult to support there should be careful consideration to a graduated change to PV subsidies, especially where existing structures and buildings are used, or when issues of fuel poverty are being addressed. Unfortunately the areas of England that had invested the most time and money into solar generation happen to be the poorest and counties like Cornwall will suffer tremendously without the financial incentive to encourage investment in infrastructure.
Industry playing field
Whilst some in the industry are railing against the government decisions citing a lack of level playing field it may be of more use to make a playing field
before you try and level it. When the initial FiT was announced the government made it clear it was not their responsibility to promote the scheme or to encourage uptake. This was the industry’s responsibility and a quick glance at mainstream media makes you realise how poorly the industry has responded to educating their consumer and customer base. Media reports on solar are full of glaring inaccuracies but never any follow up letters of complaint from industry bodies.
When Chris Huhne made a faux pas on TV regarding the capacity of 50kw the trained journalist did not have the knowledge to contradict the error. You can find reports on how solar is unsafe, lacking security or plain inoperable. When sold in isolation it is too easily hit with the argument that it cannot replace fossil fuel and it never will.
As part of a renewable energy plan it is a vital part to the future of energy production. To paraphrase a certain American President it is time for those interested to ask what they can do themselves to ensure a longer term sustainable and growing solar and photovoltaic industry.
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www.solar-pv-management.com Issue V 2011
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